On Guns in America

Listen & Watch

“Has the Gun Control Movement Failed?” Vox’s Today Explained podcast, June 2022.

 “The Battle Over Guns in America: What’s Changed?” + Short Take. Ways & Means podcast, September, 2020. 

“Do Courts Change Politics?” Scholarship Highlight, Duke Center for Firearms Law, September 2020.

“The Gun Violence Prevention Movement.” American Diagnosis podcast, December 2019.

 “Polling Shows a Voter’s Gender Can Be a Factor in Their Views on Gun Control.” NPR, “All Things Considered,” November 4, 2019.

“Every Life Sacred: The Urgency to End Gun Violence.” Duke Chapel, October 15, 2019.

“Preventing Gun Violence with ‘Extreme Risk’ Laws.” Duke Center for Firearms Law, September 19, 2019.

Heller‘s Hollow Hope?” Thrower Symposium, Emory Law School, February 7, 2019.

“There’s a Lot We Don’t Know About Gun Violence, and That’s Intentional.” NPR Marketplace, February 15, 2018.

“The Missing Gun Control Movement.” Policy 360, October 2017.

President Obama’s Executive Action And The Gun Debate,” WUNC, January 8, 2016.

Washington Vote Shows Americans Are Conflicted About Gun Control,” KUOW, November 5, 2014.

Showdown Over Gun Controls Coming to Montpelier in 2015,” Vermont Public Radio, May 6, 2014.

Guns: Public Health and Politics,” Wisconsin Public Radio, January 15, 2013.

Talking about the U.S. gun issue with audiences in…

Opinion

“America’s Gun Laws Are as Old as Its Politics.” In conversation with Francis Wilkinson, Bloomberg Opinion, July 7, 2022.

“What’s Next for the Parkland Activists?” The Trace, March 27, 2018.

Will March for Our Lives Make a Difference in the Long Run?” Twitter. March 27, 2018.

A Political Scientist Explains the Exaggerated Reactions to Obama’s Executive Actions on Guns,” The Trace, January 13, 2016.

Gun Laws Are Being Reformed, but Just Not on Capitol Hill,” The Conversation, December 10, 2015. 

Two Years After Sandy Hook, the Gun Control Movement Has New Energy,” Washington Post, Monkey Cage Blog, December 16, 2014.

Turn Emotion Into Action,” New York Times, April 18, 2014.

In School Rampages, the Weapon Matters” (with Philip J. Cook), CNN.com, April 11, 2014. 

Up in Arms: The Political Science Behind Gun Control,” Georgetown Public Policy Review, March 25, 2013.

Another View: How Military Leaders Can Change the Conversation on Guns,” Des Moines Register, January 20, 2013; and Raleigh News & Observer, January 23, 2013.

Why We Need to Talk About Guns,” Newsweek/Daily Beast.com, January 4, 2013.

NRA’s Vision of ‘Genuine Monsters,’” CNN.com, December 24, 2012.

Rallying for Gun Reform” (with Donna Dees), Tampa Bay Times, 21 December 21, 2012; and Raleigh News & Observer, December 20, 2012.

Supreme Court Taking Aim at the Gun Debate,” The Star-Ledger (Newark), June 14, 2010; also appeared in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 16, 2010; the Raleigh News & Observer, June 18, 2010.

Good Policy, Not Stories, Can Reduce Violence,” The Chronicle Review (The Chronicle of Higher Education), May 4, 2007; also published in the Durham Herald-Sun (Durham). 

A Family Affair,” The Guardian, April 18, 2007. 

The Missing Movement for Gun Control,” Chronicle Review (Chronicle of Higher Education), October 11, 2006; also published in The Herald-Sun (Durham). 

Where Do the Killers Get Their Guns?” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 8, 2006; also published in the Newark Star-LedgerThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Raleigh News & ObserverThe Des Moines Register, and the Jackson Clarion-Ledger.

In The News 

*Since 2013

“Filibuster Constrains Congress from Answering High Court Rulings,” Courthouse News, June 29, 2022

“NRA Scores Policy Win at High Court in Dark Time for Gun Group,” Bloomberg, June 24, 2022

“More Women Than Ever Own Guns. Could That Change Gun Laws?” Washington Post, June 6, 2022

“Mass Shootings Typically Lead to Looser Gun Laws, Not Stronger Ones,” Vox, May 27, 2022

“Gun Control Groups Are Growing  in Numbers While Hitting a Federal Wall,” Wall Street Journal, May 27, 2022

“Polls Consistently Show High Support for Gun Background Checks,” Politifact, May 25, 2022

“Why the Second Amendment May Be Losing Relevance in the Gun Debate,” ABC News, October 28, 2021

“Does a Nation’s History Dictate Its Relationship With Guns?” RTE (Ireland), June 1, 2021.

“How Congress Has Undermined Gun Regulators.” New York Times,  May 26, 2021.

“Pro-Gun Groups Far Outspend Gun Control Activists in Tight Georgia Senate Runoffs.” CNBC.com, December 17, 2020.

“2020 Will Be a Big Year for the Gun Issue.” The Trace, January 3, 2020.

“…Phil Cook Receives Prestigious Criminology Prize.” Duke Chronicle, November 22, 2019.

“Virginia Democrats Plan Swift Gun Control.” Virginian-Pilot, November 15, 2019.

“Panel Discusses How to Curb Gun Violence in Durham.” Duke Chronicle, November 11, 2019.

“These Women Lost Family Members in the Capital-Gazette Shooting. Now They’re Leading the Fight Against Gun Violence.” Baltimore Sun, October 4, 2019.

“Is Congress Finally Ready to Pass Gun Control Legislation?” The Guardian, September 8, 2019.

“After Most Shootings, Congress Does Nothing. This Time May Be Different.” Christian Science Monitor, August 8, 2019.

“Congress Wants to Legislate in Arms, With No Hope of Major Reform.” Le Telegramme, August 7, 2019.

“Pressure Builds on Congress, as Major Action on Guns Elusive.” AFP/Yahoo News, August 6, 2019.

“While Washington Stalls, Activists See Optimism in Gun Control Efforts at the State Level.” Boston Globe, August 6, 2019.

“One Year Later, Experts Say Parkland Was ‘Turning Point’ in Gun Debate.” Sinclair Broadcast Group, February 14, 2019.

“Gun Safety Advocates Plan New Blue State Push.” The Hill, December 16, 2018.

“Are Mass Shootings Doomed to Be America’s ‘New Normal’? ‘That Is a Myth.'” Christian Science Monitor, November 16, 2018.

“How Gun Control Went From a Voter Loser to a Vote Winner These Midterms.” Sydney Morning Herald, November 4, 2018.

 “Can the Anti-Gun-Violence Movement Outraise – and Outspend – the NRA?” Fast Company, September 10, 2018.

“In Big Reversal, Supporters of Regulating Bumpstocks Now Outnumber Opponents 3-1 in Comments to ATF.” The Trace, July 19, 2018.

“Lucy McBath Refused to Be Quiet After Her Son’s Murder. Now She’s Running for Congress.” CNN.com, May 20, 2018.

“Defective Firearm Bill Pits Dingell v. Dingell.” Detroit News, April 18, 2018.

“‘Shameful Day in Washington’: Five Years After Gun Reform Failed, Is Change Coming?” The Guardian, April 17, 2018.

“After the ‘March for Our Lives,’ Student Activists Focus on Midterm Elections.” Wall Street Journal, March 25, 2018. (Paywalled.)

“Will ‘March for Our Lives’ Win the Stricter Gun Laws Students Demand?” Education Week, March 22, 2018.

“More Mass Shooting Survivors, Inspired by Parkland, Are Joining the Fight for Gun Reform.” Washington Post, March 20, 2018.

“Yes, the Parkland Kids Could Change U.S. Gun Policy. Here’s What It Would Take.” Washington Post (Monkey Cage). March 15, 2018.

“The NRA Faces a New Kind of Opponent: Kids Who Understand Social Media.” CNBC.com, March 5, 2018.

“Even Trump Sounds Like a Gun-Grabber Now.” Politico, March 1, 2018.

“The Parkland Shooting May Have Just Cemented America’s Newest Voting Bloc.” Huffington Post, February 27, 2018.

“What the Movement for Gun Violence Prevention Is Missing.” Huffington Post, February 26, 2018.

“El Fanatismo por las Armas, un Flagelo con Siglos de Historia.” Perfil (Argentina), February 17, 2018.

“In the Echoes of the Florida Shooting, Gun-Control Advocates Raise Their Voices.” Toronto Globe and Mail, February 15, 2018.

“What the Movement for Gun Violence Prevention Is Missing.” Huffington Post, September 26, 2017.

Whatever Happened to Michael Bloomberg’s Anti-Gun Crusade?” Slate, July 5, 2016.

Can States Separate Politics from Gun Policy? California Aims to Try,” Christian Science Monitor, June 22, 2016.

Senate Votes Down Four Gun Control Measures After Fiery Debate,” NBCNews.com, June 21, 2016.

Fort Lewis College Students Explore Gun Laws,” Durango Herald, February 5, 2016.

Powerful Gun Lobby Faces Growing Resistance,” Roll Call, February 1, 2016.

US Gun Activists Target States for Changes,” Voice of America, January 25, 2016.

Most Americans Want US Gun Laws to Change,” Vox, January 15, 2016.

Duke Researchers Skeptical About Gun Control Changes,” Duke Chronicle, January 14, 2016.

How Obama’s Push for Gun Control is Reshaping the 2016 Campaign,” Christian Science Monitor, January 5, 2016.

Obama Thrusts Gun Control Debate Into Forefront of 2016 Race,” Associated Press, January 5, 2016.

Disarming the American Gun Problem,” Macleans, December 9, 2015.

N.C. Clarifies Handgun Application Process,” Charlotte Observer, December 3, 2015.

Did the Assault Weapons Ban Really Work?” Pacific Standard, October 6, 2014.

Women an Emerging Force in Defending Firearms,” Tucson Sentinel, September 30, 2014.

‘Badass’ Moms Take Gun Fight to NRA’s Home Turf,” Huffington Post, September 23, 2014.

These Women Are the NRA’s Worst Nightmare,” Mother Jones, September-October 2014.

After UC Santa Barbara Shooting, Does Gun Control Have New Life?” MSNBC.com, May 27, 2014.

Gun-Rights Advocates Push for Weapons on Military Installations,” Houston Chronicle, April 3, 2014.

A Year After Newtown Shootings, America is at Crossroads on Guns,” Christian Science Monitor, December 14, 2013.

The Missing Movement,” Duke Magazine, May 21, 2013.

Giffords Group Works to Gain 5 Votes for Background Checks,” USA Today, May 6, 2013.

Senate Scuttles Gun Limits,” Wall Street Journal, April 18, 2013.

Pro-Gun Laws Gain Ground,” Wall Street Journal, April 4, 2013.

Connecticut Governor Signs New Gun Control Law,” Deutsche Welle, April 4, 2013.

Obama: ‘Shame on Us’ If Congress Fails to Restrict Guns,” Washington Examiner, March 28, 2013.

Another Mass Shooting – What the Experts Say,” Connecticut Post, March 9, 2013.

Gun Control’s Long Game,” The American Prospect, March 4, 2013.

Academics Discuss Gun Policy at Wesleyan,” Hartford Courant, February 6, 2013.

City Gun Laws Hit Roadblock,” Wall Street Journal,  February 6, 2013.

Some Sheriffs Push Back on Gun Laws,” Wall Street Journal, January 24, 2013.

Obama Unveils New Gun Policies,” Duke Chronicle, January 17, 2013.

On Guns, Obama Will Have to Leap the ‘Activism Gap,'” Toronto Globe and Mail, January 16, 2013.

Fronde Contre La NRA,” La Presse, January 14, 2013.

Like Obama, Emanuel Pivots on Guns,” The HillJanuary 13, 2013.

Kelly, Giffords Make Common-Sense Plea for Gun Control,” USA Today, January 12, 2013.

NRA Comes Out Fighting,” Deutsche Welle, January 11, 2013.

Giffords Gun Control Group Wants $20 Million for 2014 Elections,” Reuters, January 9, 2013. 

‘Enough’: Gabrielle Giffords Speaks Out Against Guns Two Years After Tucson,” Christian Science Monitor, January 8, 2013. 

EE UU Busca Medios para Contener al ‘Lobby’ de las Armas,” El Pais, Jan 8, 2013. 

Fewer Americans Own Guns,” Deutsche Welle, January 5, 2013. 

Public Talks & Briefings

“Gun Violence Prevention in the COVID Era.” Guns in Crisis Series, University of Arizona, March 23, 2021.

“Every Life Sacred: The Urgency of Gun Violence.” Symposium, Duke University Chapel, Durham, NC, October 15, 2019. 

“Preventing Gun Violence with ‘Extreme Risk’ Laws.” Symposium, Duke Center for Firearms Law, Durham, NC, September 19, 2019.

 “Heller’s Hollow Hope?” Emory Law School, Randolph W. Thrower Symposium, Atlanta, February 7, 2019.

“Whatever Happened to the ‘Missing Movement’? Gun Control Politics Over Two Decades of Change.” Muhlenberg College Election 2018 Series, Allentown, PA, September 13, 2018.

“Locked & Loaded: The Great American Gun Debate in a Polarized Era.” American Democracy Project Lecture. SUNY-Brockport, February 12, 2018.

“Mobilizing & the Gun Issue: “Plus ça change”…plus ça change?” University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, December 1, 2017;            Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, October 28, 2017.

“The Evolution of the Gun Violence Prevention Movement.” Gun Studies Symposium, Plenary Session. University of Arizona, Tucson, October 20, 2017.

“The Gun Debate: What Everyone Needs to Know” (with Philip Cook). Temple Emanu-El, New York, May 4, 2017.

“A Twenty-One Gun Salute.” Comments at the Festschrift Honoring Philip J. Cook, Durham, NC. April 21, 2017.

“The 2016 Election Results: What Do They Mean?” Sanford School of Public Policy (panel), November 17, 2016.

“What Does the 2016 Election Mean for Gun Violence Prevention?” North Carolinians Against Gun Violence (keynote), November 15, 2016.

“Gun Violence in America: Challenges & Opportunities.” Annual Conference of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials, Washington, June 24, 2016.

“How Movements Bounce Back: What Gun Rights Advocates Can Teach Abortion Rights Advocates.” Conference on Learning from Social Movements, Scholars Strategy Network, New York, May 31-June 1, 2016.

“Gendering the Second Amendment” (with Jennifer Carlson). Conference on The Second Generation of Second Amendment Law and Policy,” Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU School of Law, New York, April 8, 2016.

“Why Are We Talking about Guns in an Election Year?” Conference on Activism and American Political Parties, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, February 27, 2016.

“What’s New Since Newtown: Gun Politics Over Two Decades.” Everytown for Gun Safety, New York, October 21, 2015.

“Firearms: Reducing the Risk in Fairfax County.” Moderator, League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area, Burke, VA, March 22, 2015.

“Ground Zero for Gun Control: The District of Columbia and the New Politics of the Second Amendment.” Moderator, American Society for Public Administration, National Capital Area Chapter, Washington, March 18, 2015.

“Gun Politics After the Midterms.” Carolina Society for Future Leaders, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, November 18, 2014.

“What’s New Since Newtown: Gun Politics in the Run-Up to the November 2014 Elections.” University of Washington (academics) & Museum of History and Industry (general public), Seattle, October 24, 2014. 

“The New Politics of Gun Control.” Panel discussion hosted by U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, Washington, June 25, 2014.

“The Gun Debate” (with Philip Cook). World Affairs Council of Harrisburg (PA), May 15, 2014.

“The Gun Debate” (with Philip Cook). Cooper Union, New York, May 8, 2014.

“What’s New After Newtown?” Center for Legislative Studies Fall Lecture Series, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, September 25, 2013.

“Guns and Gun Violence: Crisis, Policy and Politics.” Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, February 6, 2013.

“The Missing Movement for Gun Control.” Dartmouth in DC program, Washington, May 15, 2012 and May 26, 2011.

“Empowerment in Practice: Influencing Public Policy.” US Department of State/Mongolia, Washington, January 5, 2012.