Ithaca College professor Rachel Wagner’s new book, “Cowboy Apocalypse,” critically examines the entrenched myth of the “good guy with a gun” in American society. Through an analysis of media portrayals, video games, and historical perspectives, Wagner argues that this ideology does not promote safety, but rather contributes to division, vigilante behavior, and escalating gun violence.
Wagner highlights how the frontier myth continues to influence gun culture, reinforcing exclusionary and dangerous beliefs about firearms. While her work acknowledges valid reasons for gun ownership, she questions the notion that guns symbolize moral superiority. As Wagner looks ahead to her next project focusing on hope, she encourages readers to rethink gun narratives and their impact on society.
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