Book Review: Brushy Ridge Militia

Reviewed by Peter Hassebroek | Content Warnings: School shooting

A compelling novel about the ironies of the Second Amendment and rationalizing stricter gun legislation

Austin McGuirk gets bullied frequently at the fictional Brushy Ridge High School. Simmering rage prompts the purchase of an AR-15 through a private advertisement. He keeps the gun in his locker, ready to enact his revenge when he boils over. It happens with the ultimate humiliation that’s compounded by being recorded and shared online:

“. . . but none of it was as bad as this, none had ever stripped him so mercilessly of his dignity, had laid it out so blatantly for all to exploit and take delight in. Nothing sank his heart so deep into his bowels, no one had so mockingly exposed both his feelings and his self.“

He targets the bullying ringleader and girlfriend, isolating them in a hallway. He starts shooting. And then the moment overtakes him. He ends up killing eleven in all, including other unintentional innocents like his guidance counselor and, when cornered, himself.

While obvious blame lies with Austin for the shooting and Blake for its provocation, it’s not enough for the grieving parents and husband of the guidance counselor. They feel it could have been prevented and determine a root cause: the ease with which a boy like Austin could acquire such a powerful weapon.

It becomes their mission to thwart future occurrences by tightening the gun laws. In this, they have much support, including from their congressman and the US president. But not the resolute Speaker of the House, Fred Grantham. A formidable obstacle who would never consider tabling any bill encroaching on the Second Amendment. This he makes directly clear by spurning their appeal in Washington.

Thus is born the eponymous Brushy Ridge Militia, consisting of most of the parents and others. They scout the logistics and design an elaborate, costly months-long plan to kidnap the speaker to compel him to see the light. Ironically, the same Second Amendment Grantham uses to deny them provides rationale for the group:

“Why is it perfectly legitimate to use that ambiguous set of words to support the premise that a bullied eighteen-year-old youth can legally purchase a semi-automatic weapon, while the Brushy Ridge Militia’s actions are considered illegal, even though much more consistent with the Amendment’s original intent?“

To add further irony, the members must acquire guns and take NRA training. It’s a risky plan. A low percentage plan. Success depends on so many factors falling in place as expected. However, their collective grief has coalesced to overcome initial and ongoing doubts. Their resoluteness equals Grantham’s. And what the militia’s leader, Hank Patrick, a former DC lawyer, argues is highly persuasive and inventive. Will it work?

This is a well-paced read where the writing is economical yet complete; cohesiveness is one of its strengths. Readers will become easily invested in the militia’s efforts and whether they’ll succeed or not. The three stages of the plot—the mass murder, the kidnapping, the trials—are given thorough treatment, and the progression from one to the next is consistently smooth and logical.

The points-of-view shift from omniscient to close third person for many characters, from the murderer to the militia members to the FBI to the kidnapped speaker and more. This provides a broad perspective of events while remaining solicitous to each character. It also retains objectivity and avoids bias. Considering the number of characters, it’s impressive how all but the most minor are relatable and real.

For a story grounded in such heartbreaking sadness, The Brushy Ridge Militia is tastefully entertaining. The ironic use and cogent interpretations of the Second Amendment highlight this absorbing novel.

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