When American mayors start a campaign to ban handguns, Otis Cogsworth, CEO of Cogsworth International Arms worries about the effects on his company. He convinces an Arkansas congressman to introduce the 'American Freedom from Fear Act': a law mandating that every American must own a gun.

In tiny rural Asabogue, Mayor Lois Leibowitz passes an ordinance to ban firearms. But Otis Cogsworth's holiday mansion sits nearby. Otis orchestrates a recall election against Lois. Asabogue resident Jack Steele, a has-been action star not unlike Steven Seagal, runs against her and brings in the heavy artillery of American politics. Thousands of pro-gun militants armed to the teeth, and their opponents, descend on Asabogue. The village becomes a war zone. Meanwhile, Washington politicians and a cowardly President are caught between a mighty gun lobby and the absurdity of every American man, woman and child carrying a gun. What ensues is a hilarious indictment of American politics, whose author knows from bitter experience how sensible laws almost never get passed by Congress.