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GUN FACT

May 2004 marks the first Million Mom March since 2000; CA-based MMM founder Mary Leigh Blek lost her 19-year-old son to a random New York City shooting.

GUN MYTH

Guns are too big or heavy for most women. Firearms can be customized to fit women’s smaller hands and frames.

About the Book

The first national, neutral, nuanced examination of the intersection of American women and firearms: recreational, political, economic, professional, cultural, social and criminal, "Blown Away: American Women and Guns" offers a diverse chorus of voices.

You'll hear from female felons, law enforcement officers and military, legislators and lobbyists, Olympic athetes and some of the 8.5 million women who have bought guns for self-defense. That leaves another 8.5 million women gunowners who enjoy hunting and sport shooting.

Kelly traveled the country to gather 104 original interviews, compelling stories of men, women and teens who love guns -- and of those who hate, fear and fight against them. Whatever your position on gun ownership, you'll find thought-provoking statistics and arguments.

To get a sense of what's inside, please read through Blown Away's Table of Contents below.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
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Chapter One: A Moving Target
Guns have always been central to American culture; the gun's role from its broadest perspective.
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Chapter Two: Annie, Get Your Gun
From colonial days onward, guns, in their hands and others', have affected American women, whether Civil War soldiers, outlaws or solo homesteaders.

Chapter Three: Thelma, Velma and the Fembots
Thelma and Louise, Velma Kelly of "Chicago" and the fembots are all provocative women with guns in film. Meet others in pop culture: theatre, advertising, art, music, cartoons, and video games.

Chapter Four: The Decision to Arm
When, where, why and how do women acquire a gun for self-defense? This chapter includes several who chose not to.

Chapter Five: The Dark Side
Suicide, homicide and domestic violence all offer a darker side to gun ownership.

Chapter Six: A Member of the Family
When a gun enters the home, whoever owns it, issues of power and safety become paramount.

Chapter Seven: A Gun for Fun
Hunting, trap, skeet and clays are some of the many ways women across the country of all ages enjoy, and share, recreational shooting.

Chapter Eight: In the Line of Fire
From the bodyguard to former New York City mayor Rudy Giuiliani, (exclusive interview), to those serving in Iraq, from the United States Secret Service to the FBI, women in the military and law enforcement handle guns daily. Intimate portraits of eight female professionals.

Chapter Nine: Guns Mean Business
At all levels, from manufacturing to sales, design to instruction, women are central to the $2.1 billion dollar gun industry.

Chapter Ten: Both Sides of the Aisle
Whatever your opinion of guns and gun ownership, many women work hard every day to represent your point of view. These include Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, Suzanna Gratia Hupp, Karen Mehall, Maria Heil of Second Amendment Sisters, Sarah Brady and Mary Leigh Blek, director of the Milllion Mom March.

Chapter Eleven: The Next Generation
Teens to college age, young women have strong opinions on gun use. Some love to hunt, shoot with their families -- or fight for gun control. Here are their voices.

Chapter Twelve: What To Do?
What can women do about guns in America? Eight recommendations for action.