Real Guns

Real Guns confronts the topical issues of gun control and the effects of war—past and present—on returning soldiers and their families. Jon, like many young boys, is fascinated by guns. He finds a loaded pistol hidden under his parents’ bed, with nearly tragic consequences. 


The close call prompts his father to explain to Jon why he needs to keep the gun, forging a much closer bond between father and son, and emphasising the need for parents to talk to their children about issues affecting their safety.

Patrick Murphy’s stunning illustrations are a perfect complement to Reiter’s timeless story, allowing younger readers to better understand why guns are at once a necessary part of contemporary life but also a danger when they get into the wrong hands.


Dr David P Reiter is an multi-award winning author and publisher living in Brisbane. He has written sixteen fiction, poetry and children’s titles, as well as scripts and multimedia. He’s won the Queensland Premier’s Award and been shortlisted for the Steele Rudd and Adelaide Festival Awards. He’s presented his work to audiences in Australia and overseas and received several grants from the Australia Council and Arts Queensland.


Patrick J Murphy B.A. was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he still lives and works. He studied art and art history at Belfast Institute and exhibits his contemporary oil paintings internationally. Past exhibitions include the Agora Gallery, New York, U.S.A.