New King essay "Guns" available as Kindle Single

[Bev Vincent]

King has written an essay discussing his thoughts on the gun control/gun rights issue facing the U.S., available now as a Kindle Single through Amazon.com.

“I think the issue of an America awash in guns is one every citizen has to think about,” said King. “If this helps provoke constructive debate, I’ve done my job. Once I finished writing ‘Guns’ I wanted it published quickly, and Kindle Singles provided an excellent fit.”

From Amazon: In a pulls-no-punches essay intended to provoke rational discussion, Stephen King sets down his thoughts about gun violence in America. Anger and grief in the wake of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School are palpable in this urgent piece of writing, but no less remarkable are King’s keen thoughtfulness and composure as he explores the contours of the gun-control issue and constructs his argument for what can and should be done.

READ THE AMAZON PRESS RELEASE | ORDER GUNS ON AMAZON.COM

[mae]

Just got it for the Kindle on my iPad. Not a short article, but a longish essay with about ten mini-chapters. Wonder if he'll collect this one like "Head Down", another non-fiction piece.

[Shannon]

"... and Kindle Singles provided an excellent fit."

Hmmm, endorsement much?

[Bev Vincent]

For those without Kindle: Kindle cloud reader

[you ever seen a ghost?]

anyone able to "crack" the file or send it to me so that i can do the same?

my wife has a Kindle Fire and i have Kindle on my smartphone, but i'd like to print this out for my files.

thanks!

-justin

[Bev Vincent]

"...any money from the essay will go to one of the charities to benefit victims of gun violence. "

[jon10g]

Thanks Bev.
Jon

[you ever seen a ghost?]

"...any money from the essay will go to one of the charities to benefit victims of gun violence. "

did i say i was going to steal it? it's only a dollar. like i said, we have a Kindle in the household and i have the app on my phone, but i want to be able to print it too.

[Bev Vincent]

That wasn't a response to you. That was something Ms. Mod posted on the SKMB after people complained that King was apparently profiting from these shootings.

[Shannon]

I might be mistaken, but I think Mr. Vincent was just adding extra info to the thread. ... Maybe! lol

[Shannon]

Jinx!

[WeDealInLead]

"... and Kindle Singles provided an excellent fit."

Hmmm, endorsement much?

Oh man, did you read UR?

I'll read the article sometime this weekend. I hope it sees print in a magazine.

[you ever seen a ghost?]

That wasn't a response to you. That was something Ms. Mod posted on the SKMB after people complained that King was apparently profiting from these shootings.

my apologies. it looked like a direct response!

eta: anyone willing to e-mail me the file and i'll take a crack at it and e-mail you a printable version if you want?

-justin

[Dan]

My first thought, having only read a short bit so far

Spoiler:

King mentions that Adam Lanza carried a Glock 10 which he says is so large it is used to kill polar bears. Unless I am missing something, the 10mm is actually about the same size as a .45. Yes it is larger than a 9mm or 40ACP, but I certainly wouldn't expect it to kill a polar bear. Not a big deal, just an observation. As a gun enthusiast, but not a anti gun control guy, I will have more observations, I'm sure.

[Brice]

My first thought, having only read a short bit so far

Spoiler:

King mentions that Adam Lanza carried a Glock 10 which he says is so large it is used to kill polar bears. Unless I am missing something, the 10mm is actually about the same size as a .45. Yes it is larger than a 9mm or 40ACP, but I certainly wouldn't expect it to kill a polar bear. Not a big deal, just an observation. As a gun enthusiast, but not a anti gun control guy, I will have more observations, I'm sure.

Anyone who has read King's stories knows he isn't exactly an expert on guns. LOL This doesn't invalidate or even minimalize his opinion. It's just how it is.

[Dan]

My first thought, having only read a short bit so far

Spoiler:

King mentions that Adam Lanza carried a Glock 10 which he says is so large it is used to kill polar bears. Unless I am missing something, the 10mm is actually about the same size as a .45. Yes it is larger than a 9mm or 40ACP, but I certainly wouldn't expect it to kill a polar bear. Not a big deal, just an observation. As a gun enthusiast, but not a anti gun control guy, I will have more observations, I'm sure.

Anyone who has read King's stories knows he isn't exactly an expert on guns. LOL This doesn't invalidate or even minimalize his opinion. It's just how it is.

I understand and was not in any way inflamed by it, just an observation. The article is not bad. I agree with some/most of his points. Without this being a gun thread, let's just say that, as always, King wrote an excellent article that makes you think.

If you have Amazon Prime, you can "rent" the article for free, but I could not figure out how to do that, so I accidentally bought it for $.99. Still, as Bev pointed out, the money goes towards victims of gun violence so not a loss.

[Bev Vincent]

Denmark's Arctic Assets and Canada's Response – Sovereignty and Strategic Resources of the High Arctic

The choice of a Sirius Patrol pistol was also determined by concerns about encounters with aggressive polar bears. Most Danish units use 9mm automatics like the CF but the Sirius Patrol learned through hard experience that 9mms had insufficient 'stopping power' to deal with angry adult polar bears. As a result, Sirius Patrol members carry a more powerful 10mm pistols for self-defence, employing the 10mm Glock 20 automatic.

[Dan]

Thanks Bev, I'm not arguing that you can't or shouldn't use a 10mm, just that it isn't the massive gun that is portrayed. Personally, If I were to be required to shoot a polar bear, which I wouldn't do unless my life depended on it, I would have a large caliber rifle. I don't think the 10mm would drop a polar bear, even if you shot it directly in the heart.

Again, sorry. I really am not trying to argue any gun agenda.

[Brice]

I don't think the 10mm would drop a polar bear, even if you shot it directly in the heart.

Oh, it might. You'd have just been mostly digested by the time it dropped him. LOL

[mae]

"...any money from the essay will go to one of the charities to benefit victims of gun violence. "

Yes, good cause. Says so right here: http://www.stephenking.com/promo/guns/

[mae]

Clueless news organizations run with 17-year old news that King pulled "Rage" from sale:

http://ktla.com/2013/01/25/stephen-k...m-bookshelves/
http://www.wcvb.com/news/local/bosto...n/-/index.html
http://www.ibtimes.com/stephen-king-...ooters-1039912

The 25-page essay, published as part of Amazon’s Kindle Singles collection, includes possible solutions to the mass shooting epidemic that’s plagued the nation, but also announces King’s decision to remove his first novel from bookshelves.

[Dan]

They read the parts they wanted to read. The article states that he requested it not be published, but that was a long time ago.

[Sir_Boomme]

Thanks Bev, I'm not arguing that you can't or shouldn't use a 10mm, just that it isn't the massive gun that is portrayed. Personally, If I were to be required to shoot a polar bear, which I wouldn't do unless my life depended on it, I would have a large caliber rifle. I don't think the 10mm would drop a polar bear, even if you shot it directly in the heart.

Again, sorry. I really am not trying to argue any gun agenda.

why not argue... I'm sure King is arguing his viewpoint....
I've chosen not to support King's anti-gun views.
and I have a glock .45 and I sure as hell wouldn't take on a polar bear with it...

[Sir_Boomme]

"...any money from the essay will go to one of the charities to benefit victims of gun violence. "

Yes, good cause. Says so right here: http://www.stephenking.com/promo/guns/

gotta LOVE this Stephen king site page though...

especially this part:

" ORDER GUNS ON AMAZON.COM
(All profits will benefit the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence)"

so... I'm headed over to amazon to see if there are any good deals on assault rifles. I'm always ready to help out a good cause.

[pathoftheturtle]

... If I were to be required to shoot a polar bear, which I wouldn't do unless my life depended on it. ...

That's good. Nothing too "culture of violence" about so well-defined a hypothesis.