Don B. Kates

Don B. Kates (1941-2016) was an American civil rights lawyer and criminologist known for his influential work on Second Amendment rights and firearms policy. He authored numerous books and articles examining the history of gun ownership, constitutional law, and criminal justice. His most significant works include "Firearms and Violence: Issues of Public Policy" (1984) and "Armed: New Perspectives on Gun Control" (2001), which helped shape modern legal scholarship around gun rights. As a researcher at the Pacific Research Institute, he produced extensive studies on gun control efficacy and self-defense law. Despite being a self-described liberal Democrat, Kates challenged conventional progressive positions on gun control and argued for an individual rights interpretation of the Second Amendment. His 1983 Michigan Law Review article "Handgun Prohibition and the Original Meaning of the Second Amendment" is considered a foundational text in Second Amendment scholarship. Kates taught law at Saint Louis University School of Law and served as a consultant to the National Rifle Association while maintaining an active civil rights law practice focused on police misconduct cases. His research methodology combining historical analysis with contemporary crime data influenced a generation of scholars in constitutional law and criminology.

Readers consistently note Kates' thorough research and academic rigor in examining Second Amendment issues. On Amazon, his books receive 4.5/5 stars average across titles. What readers liked: - Deep historical analysis backed by primary sources - Clear writing that makes complex legal concepts accessible - Balanced presentation of evidence, even when challenging his own political side - Integration of statistical data with constitutional arguments What readers disliked: - Dense academic writing style in some works - Occasional repetition between books/articles - Limited coverage of post-2000 developments in later editions On Goodreads, "Armed: New Perspectives on Gun Control" maintains a 4.3/5 rating from 127 reviews. Readers highlight its "methodical dismantling of common gun control arguments" while citing extensive data. Academic reviewers praise his 1983 Michigan Law Review article as "meticulous in its historical research." One law professor reviewer noted: "Whether you agree with his conclusions or not, Kates' scholarship set the standard for rigorous Second Amendment analysis."

Armed: New Perspectives on Gun Control (2001) An examination of data and research regarding firearms policy, gun control effectiveness, and constitutional rights in the United States.

Restricting Handguns: The Liberal Skeptics Speak Out (1979) A collection of essays from various contributors exploring different perspectives on handgun restrictions and their implications.

Firearms and Violence: Issues of Public Policy (1984) An analysis of the relationship between firearms ownership and violent crime, incorporating statistical data and policy discussions.

The Great American Gun Debate: Essays on Firearms and Violence (1997) A comprehensive review of gun control debates, covering historical context, constitutional interpretation, and policy implications.

Would Banning Firearms Reduce Murder and Suicide? (2007) A comparative study examining international data on firearms restrictions and their correlation with violent crime rates.

John Lott writes about gun rights, statistics, and constitutional law from an academic perspective. His research focuses on the relationship between gun ownership and crime rates.

David Kopel researches and writes about firearms policy and constitutional law as a legal scholar. He examines historical contexts of the Second Amendment and international gun laws.

Stephen Halbrook focuses on Supreme Court cases related to firearms rights and the history of gun control legislation. He documents legal precedents and constitutional interpretations regarding weapons ownership.

Joyce Lee Malcolm studies the historical origins of the right to bear arms in English and American law. She examines primary sources to trace the development of self-defense rights through British and colonial history.

Clayton Cramer researches American gun laws and the history of firearms regulation in the United States. His work combines historical research with analysis of modern gun policy debates.