The scope of the gun problem -- The facts about gun ownership -- What public health means in practice -- The scientific basis of injury control -- The wrong medicine: "good guys" and "bad guys" -- Gun accidents -- Suicides -- Homicides -- Other gun-related crimes -- The myth and reality of deterrence -- How common is self-defense gun use? -- Is more better? -- How effective is self-defense gun use? -- Guns in the home -- Guns in schools -- Guns in public -- Young children -- Adolescents and young adults -- Women -- African Americans -- Manufacturers -- Licensed dealers -- The unregulated market -- The second amendment -- Public opinion -- Evaluating regulation -- The wrong arguments -- Lessons from other products -- Lessons from other countries -- International effects of our permissive policies -- A brief history of firearms law -- Reasonable policies -- Public health surveillance.