In writing Disarmed: The Consequences of Gun Control in the West, I aimed to explore one of the most contentious and pressing issues facing Western societies today. We are told that strict gun laws keep us safe, yet, as I researched this book, it became increasingly evident that these policies may not be delivering the safety they promise. Instead, Disarmed reveals how restrictive gun policies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe may leave law-abiding citizens more vulnerable than protected.
Through this work, I argue that while these laws intend to curb violence, they often fall short in keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals. With illegal gun markets thriving, it’s clear that organised crime networks are not affected by restrictions that primarily disarm the public. I examine this phenomenon in depth, especially through the lens of illegal migration and open-border policies that, while ostensibly unrelated, have allowed traffickers to exploit weak border security for a booming trade in illicit firearms, drugs, and even human trafficking.

Disarmed includes case studies, such as the trafficking routes across the US-Mexico border and the Mediterranean, to show just how effective these networks are in circumventing gun laws. What’s particularly concerning is that while the public’s access to self-defence options has been limited, these criminal syndicates can operate with near impunity. In the meantime, our law enforcement agencies, stretched by underfunding, struggle to counter rising organised crime effectively, leaving an alarming gap in public safety.
What struck me most during my research was the impact these policies have on communities—particularly the psychological effect of disarmament on law-abiding citizens. In the UK, for example, which is often seen as a model of effective gun control, spikes in violent crime have cast doubt on the assumption that disarming the public ensures safety. From interviews to data analysis, I found that stripping citizens of the means to defend themselves has not only weakened their physical security but also fostered a troubling sense of helplessness, especially in areas plagued by crime.

I didn’t set out to write a book that merely critiques gun control; I wanted to offer a balanced approach, one that addresses the roots of gun violence without sacrificing the right to self-defence. In Disarmed, I propose reforms focused on strengthening border security to choke off trafficking routes, bolstering police resources, and establishing robust international cooperation against organised crime. I believe that a nuanced approach can yield a safer society—one where we’re not forced to choose between public safety and civil liberties.

As the author of previous works exploring socio-political issues and historical parallels, I wrote Disarmed to challenge readers to reconsider their assumptions. The question we must ask is: are we truly safer under these stringent policies, or have we left ourselves more exposed? I hope this book encourages readers to think critically about the balance between safety and freedom and to consider a way forward that respects both.

For those interested in public safety, governance, and individual rights, Disarmed: The Consequences of Gun Control in the West is now available in bookstores and online. I look forward to seeing the conversations it will spark and the new insights it may inspire on how we approach this complex and crucial issue.

https://books2read.com/Disarmed