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AMERICAN GUN
The True Story of the AR-15
“[A] magisterial work of narrative history and original reportage."
—The New York Times Book Review
“A riveting exploration of the cost of the nation’s fascination with an iconic weapon.”
— Kirkus starred review
“[R]iveting history....This book is not to be missed." —Esquire
“An indispensable read.”—THe Guardian
American Gun Blog

Dec 31, 2024
Nieman Reports picks 1st-person essay on American Gun as one of the best of 2024
Nieman Reports, the magazine for the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University , chose Cameron McWhirter's first-person...

Mar 12, 2024
Nieman Reports: McWhirter on the writing of American Gun
In the latest issue of Nieman Reports, Cameron McWhirter writes about why he and co-author Zusha Elinson, both U.S. news reporters for...

Mar 10, 2024
Thank You Tucson Festival of Books
Crowds of eager, thoughtful readers, fascinating authors working in a wide range of genres, and wonderful weather -- all unfolding in...

Mar 6, 2024
McWhirter @ Tucson Festival of Books this weekend
Looking forward to this weekend's Tucson Festival of Books! On Saturday morning (March 9), at 10 a.m., I'll join a panel w/ Jennifer...

Feb 28, 2024
American Gun shortlisted for a J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize
We're thrilled that American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15 has been shortlisted for a J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize. The prize is given...


Feb 24, 2024
Ex-NRA Chief Wayne LaPierre ordered to Pay More Than $4 Million Back to Gun-Rights Group
It's a stunning downfall for LaPierre, 74 years old, who helmed the powerful National Rifle Association for decades. In the New York...


Feb 21, 2024
American Gun is a Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist
American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15 has been chosen as a finalist for a Los Angeles Times Book Prize. McWhirter and Elinson are...


Feb 12, 2024
Police: Shooter at MegaChurch used and AR-15
A person entered the Texas church of well-known television preacher Joel Osteen and opened fire with an AR-15 on Sunday afternoon, police...


Feb 5, 2024
KpCW, public radio in Utah, interviews McWhirter about American Gun
Thanks to Doug Wells and Roger Goldman, hosts of KPCW's "Mountain Money" in Utah, for interviewing McWhirter about American Gun: The True...


Jan 23, 2024
McWhirter interview on TFTC Podcast about American Gun
Thanks to Bob Nebel, host of the Atlanta-based "Tales from The Corners" podcast, for speaking with Cameron McWhirter about American Gun:...


Jan 19, 2024
DOJ report on Uvalde shooting documents a "cascade of failures"
The U.S. Justice Department report on the Uvalde shooting documented a host of failures by local law enforcement and others to the...


Jan 13, 2024
Feds to seek death penalty for racist Buffalo shooter who used AR-15
The U.S. Justice Department is seeking the death penalty against a white supremacist who killed 10 Black people at a Buffalo supermarket...

Jan 12, 2024
AR-15 "Ghost Guns": an Increasing problem
A man in a town near Akron, Ohio, was arrested recently by federal agents, who found 55 untraceable AR-15s in his home. He was selling...


Jan 7, 2024
#OTD in 1959, Colt buys rights to the AR-15
On January 7, 1959, the firearms maker Colt acquired manufacturing and sublicensing rights to the AR-15 and AR-10 rifle's gas...


Jan 6, 2024
Jan. 6 and the AR-15
#OTD The Jan. 6th riot took place at the nation's Capitol in 2021. As described in American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15, the AR-15...

Jan 4, 2024
McWhirter talks about American Gun and the AR-15 on "America Trends" Podcast
Larry Rifkin, host of the long-running "America Trends" podcast, spoke at length with Cameron McWhirter, co-author of American Gun: The...

Dec 27, 2023
Prague Shooter used an AR-10 rifle, similar to the AR-15
The gunman who committed the mass shooting at Prague’s Charles University used an AR-style rifle — the second mass shooting in Europe...


Dec 17, 2023
The faulty M16 rifle in Vietnam and Mattel's toy gun
As the US ramped up its involvement in the Vietnam War, the Pentagon ordered tens of thousands of military versions of AR-15s, renamed...


Dec 16, 2023
Library Journal reviews Audiobook of "meticulously researched" American Gun
Library Journal has reviewed the audiobook of American Gun: The True Story of the AR-15, read by Roger Wayne, declaring the work...

Dec 12, 2023
Mass-Shooting survivor Valerie Kallis-Weber speaks to Cleveland radio Host Jimmy Malone
Valerie Kallis-Weber, who survived the 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, now lives in the Cleveland area, where she grew...
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