Balance of Power by Richard North Patterson: Gun Rights vs Control

As a Republican and NRA member, I have had one position on gun rights - the 2nd Amendment rules! I grew up in a family of gun owners, and I believe and will always believe in our right to bear arms.

I am also a person who prides herself on the ability to continually learn, and to always review and understand the opposite side of any issue. As such, I picked up a copy of Balance of Power by Richard North Patterson over the weekend. I was amazed at how little of the complexity of this issue I had grasped prior to reading this well-done novel, and my eyes have been opened to just how black and white it is not.

This novel has more politics than plot, and can be downright laborious in some sections and overly melodramatic in others. Still other parts are incredibly well written and leave the reader on the edge of his or her chair. Overall, I really enjoyed it and felt that anyone who picks it up will be happy that they took the time to plow through the incredible amount of research and information compiled by Patterson.

Admittedly, this book is biased. In the afterword, Patterson admits to being a member of the Brady Commission and an avid gun control proponent. I do believe that Patterson did do a good job of presenting the arguments of the other side, although at times gun rights activists were made to look like simple minded right wing fanatics.

The story is the story of a fictious Democratic president and his wife, who are pro gun control. The First Lady's family is killed by an abusive spouse, with a weapon designed only to kill and bullets designed to inflict maximum damage. The SSA ( Sons of the Second Amendment - a thinly disguised depiction of the NRA), afraid of the damage to their cause quickly launches a rider to a Tort Reform Bill that would grant blanket immunity to all gun companies when their weapons are used to kill.

The remaining story is a web of political intrigue, blackmail, dirty politics and coercion that I really hope is not indicative of how Congress really operates - but given those listed as advisers to this book, I fear that it is.