Basic Pistol

A deeply researched journey through gun culture and the people for whom guns are a way of life

To understand how people die by the gun, we must first understand how people live by the gun.

This is the realization that led sociologist Harel Shapira to embed himself in TK Training, a popular firearms school in rural Texas just outside sprawling Austin. Forty-two classes, ten thousand rounds of ammunition, and one concealed carry license later, he has emerged with Basic Pistol, a dark and richly detailed plunge into an obsession that shapes the very fabric of American life.

Basic Pistol follows Shapira's fraught journey through TK Training's extensive curriculum. He learns how to hold a gun and how to buy one, how to judge when and when not to shoot, and how to talk to the cops once the trigger's been pulled. All the while, he immerses himself in a community of complexities and contradictions, for whom gun ownership is livelihood, is tradition, is identity. In so doing, he shows how gun culture—and the fears and fantasies of violence it breeds—erodes the very bonds of American society, empowering white men and placing Black humanity in the line of fire.

Page-turning and paradigm-shifting, Basic Pistol shows that if there’s any hope of reining in the gun violence epidemic, it must start not with the guns themselves, but with the people who carry them.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs