by Aaron Marshall
Dear Gun Control Advocate,
In the wake of the horrific recent violent shootings, you have said you want a “conversation” about guns and gun control. I am happy to have a conversation about most any topic (even religion and politics), and guns are always a subject I'm happy to discuss, even with those with whom I disagree. So let's have a conversation.
In the wake of the horrific recent violent shootings, you have said you want a “conversation” about guns and gun control. I am happy to have a conversation about most any topic (even religion and politics), and guns are always a subject I'm happy to discuss, even with those with whom I disagree. So let's have a conversation.
But first, let me make one thing perfectly clear: I am taking you at your word when you say you want a “conversation”. A conversation involves a rational exchange of thoughts, emotions, and ideas. It involves both listening and speaking. A conversation is respectful, even if it is sometimes passionate.
If you are truly interested in a conversation (as opposed to a shouting match, lecture, or screaming fit), I am happy to oblige. Let's talk about guns and gun control.
To get this conversation started, I'm going to ask you for two very basic things to get us started off on the right foot.
#1: Stop assuming that those of us who believe in the right to keep and bear arms are OK with children dying.
I understand that the terrible events in Florida and elsewhere have left raw, gaping emotional wounds. Your anger is understandable and warranted. Your desire to prevent something like this from ever happening again is not just normal, it's laudable.
You and I want the same things. We both want to prevent these kinds of mass murder. We want to ensure that our loved ones are kept safes from homicidal maniacs. Neither of us ever wants to see another school shooting again.
You and I just disagree about the best way to reach those goals.
Why do so many of you Gun Control Advocates seem to believe that those of us who disagree with your solutions do not feel the same sorrow and horror at what has occurred? Do you really believe that we view school shootings as a necessary price to pay for us to round out our gun collection?
Really?
If that is what you really think, you believe me, and anyone who thinks like me, to be unspeakably evil. That means that you believe yourself to be surrounded by millions of fellow Americans who are sociopathic at best, and utterly wicked at worst. Do you understand how difficult that makes it for us to work towards common ground? Do you understand why, when accused of such evil, we have a tendency to get defensive? Do you see how that immediately shuts down the conversation that you claim you so desperately want to have?
I understand your position completely. You believe that restricting access to guns or certain types of guns will significantly reduce, or eliminate, mass murder. I understand the logic of your position, even as I disagree with your assessment and conclusion. However, if you assume that this means we are perfectly content to sit back as children die, you misunderstand my position entirely.
For us, owning an AR-15 (or any other type of firearm, for that matter), is not just a hobby. The NRA does not lobby on behalf of its 5 million members so they have the freedom to go to the range on the weekends. It is not just a quaint pass-time that we so vociferously defend. And we are certainly not willing to sacrifice children on some altar to a demonic god of fetishistic violence.
Rather, we believe that no one takes better care of our loved ones than we do. We believe that the governing authorities, even the best ones, cannot be expected to be everywhere and stop every crime. And we believe that we should have access to the best tools available to protect ourselves from evil when it comes knocking on our door, especially considering that such evil is likely to circumvent any laws aimed at disarming it anyway.
When we fight so strongly to protect our right to keep and bear arms, we do so for the same reason you fight so strongly to limit it: because we believe it to be the best way to prevent horrible violent crimes from being committed against innocent people.
You may disagree with our logic. That's fine. We can have a conversation about that. But that doesn't make us evil. Assuming that it does makes it difficult for us to work together to find solutions.
#2: Know what you're talking about
Imagine if you and I were having a discussion about cars. Throughout our conversation, I repeatedly refer to the windshield as a “window shield”, and the front wheels as the “spinners”. I talk about the “radiator” when I clearly mean the air conditioner, and use terms like “full-sized coupe” and “performance dashboard”. What impression would you get about my knowledge of cars? You would rightly presume that I knew very little about them. You might even wonder if I had ever been in a car, or even seen one.
Now imagine that I make a statement like “Black cars are most likely to be in an accident. The government should stop auto makers from building black cars.” Or “No one needs a V-8 engine. It gives the car too much power, making it more likely to be in an accident.” Given my demonstrated ignorance about the basic components and function of a car, how much credence are you going to give my suggestions for improving highway safety? Probably not much, and rightfully so.
When a Gun Control Advocate proposes a measure that will ostensibly solve gun violence, it undercuts your credibility dramatically when you are obviously under-informed about the weapons you purport to restrict. Let me give you an example.
Please watch this brief montage that I have compiled of various politicians speaking about guns.
If you are truly interested in a conversation (as opposed to a shouting match, lecture, or screaming fit), I am happy to oblige. Let's talk about guns and gun control.
To get this conversation started, I'm going to ask you for two very basic things to get us started off on the right foot.
#1: Stop assuming that those of us who believe in the right to keep and bear arms are OK with children dying.
I understand that the terrible events in Florida and elsewhere have left raw, gaping emotional wounds. Your anger is understandable and warranted. Your desire to prevent something like this from ever happening again is not just normal, it's laudable.
You and I want the same things. We both want to prevent these kinds of mass murder. We want to ensure that our loved ones are kept safes from homicidal maniacs. Neither of us ever wants to see another school shooting again.
You and I just disagree about the best way to reach those goals.
Why do so many of you Gun Control Advocates seem to believe that those of us who disagree with your solutions do not feel the same sorrow and horror at what has occurred? Do you really believe that we view school shootings as a necessary price to pay for us to round out our gun collection?
Really?
If that is what you really think, you believe me, and anyone who thinks like me, to be unspeakably evil. That means that you believe yourself to be surrounded by millions of fellow Americans who are sociopathic at best, and utterly wicked at worst. Do you understand how difficult that makes it for us to work towards common ground? Do you understand why, when accused of such evil, we have a tendency to get defensive? Do you see how that immediately shuts down the conversation that you claim you so desperately want to have?
I understand your position completely. You believe that restricting access to guns or certain types of guns will significantly reduce, or eliminate, mass murder. I understand the logic of your position, even as I disagree with your assessment and conclusion. However, if you assume that this means we are perfectly content to sit back as children die, you misunderstand my position entirely.
For us, owning an AR-15 (or any other type of firearm, for that matter), is not just a hobby. The NRA does not lobby on behalf of its 5 million members so they have the freedom to go to the range on the weekends. It is not just a quaint pass-time that we so vociferously defend. And we are certainly not willing to sacrifice children on some altar to a demonic god of fetishistic violence.
Rather, we believe that no one takes better care of our loved ones than we do. We believe that the governing authorities, even the best ones, cannot be expected to be everywhere and stop every crime. And we believe that we should have access to the best tools available to protect ourselves from evil when it comes knocking on our door, especially considering that such evil is likely to circumvent any laws aimed at disarming it anyway.
When we fight so strongly to protect our right to keep and bear arms, we do so for the same reason you fight so strongly to limit it: because we believe it to be the best way to prevent horrible violent crimes from being committed against innocent people.
You may disagree with our logic. That's fine. We can have a conversation about that. But that doesn't make us evil. Assuming that it does makes it difficult for us to work together to find solutions.
#2: Know what you're talking about
Imagine if you and I were having a discussion about cars. Throughout our conversation, I repeatedly refer to the windshield as a “window shield”, and the front wheels as the “spinners”. I talk about the “radiator” when I clearly mean the air conditioner, and use terms like “full-sized coupe” and “performance dashboard”. What impression would you get about my knowledge of cars? You would rightly presume that I knew very little about them. You might even wonder if I had ever been in a car, or even seen one.
Now imagine that I make a statement like “Black cars are most likely to be in an accident. The government should stop auto makers from building black cars.” Or “No one needs a V-8 engine. It gives the car too much power, making it more likely to be in an accident.” Given my demonstrated ignorance about the basic components and function of a car, how much credence are you going to give my suggestions for improving highway safety? Probably not much, and rightfully so.
When a Gun Control Advocate proposes a measure that will ostensibly solve gun violence, it undercuts your credibility dramatically when you are obviously under-informed about the weapons you purport to restrict. Let me give you an example.
Please watch this brief montage that I have compiled of various politicians speaking about guns.
If you don't understand why every one of those examples sounds utterly ridiculous to anyone who knows a thing about guns, I would respectfully suggest that you need to educate yourself.
It is not difficult to find information about any topic these days, and guns are no exception. There is no shortage of websites with information about the basics of firearms, from design, to function, to usage. Even a quick visit to Wikipedia is better than nothing.
And one thing you'll find about “gun people”: They are more than happy to share their knowledge with anyone who asks. Any well-informed gun owner will provide you with all the information you would ever want. The hardest part will be getting them to shut up once you've learned all you would like.
And if you get desperate, you can even ask me. I love answering questions.
If you truly care about being informed on this issue about which you are so passionate, the best thing you can do is actually learn to shoot. And I mean actually learn. Take a class. Spend a weekend on the range. It will give you a whole new perspective, and a whole lot more credibility when discussing this issue with people like me.
I am very interested in a conversation. I think that nothing but good can result from a honest and respectful discussion of ideas. Now it's your turn to join the conversation. Post in the comments below. And even if you don't agree with me, consider joining our e-newsletter to increase your knowledge and understanding. Click here to join.
It is not difficult to find information about any topic these days, and guns are no exception. There is no shortage of websites with information about the basics of firearms, from design, to function, to usage. Even a quick visit to Wikipedia is better than nothing.
And one thing you'll find about “gun people”: They are more than happy to share their knowledge with anyone who asks. Any well-informed gun owner will provide you with all the information you would ever want. The hardest part will be getting them to shut up once you've learned all you would like.
And if you get desperate, you can even ask me. I love answering questions.
If you truly care about being informed on this issue about which you are so passionate, the best thing you can do is actually learn to shoot. And I mean actually learn. Take a class. Spend a weekend on the range. It will give you a whole new perspective, and a whole lot more credibility when discussing this issue with people like me.
I am very interested in a conversation. I think that nothing but good can result from a honest and respectful discussion of ideas. Now it's your turn to join the conversation. Post in the comments below. And even if you don't agree with me, consider joining our e-newsletter to increase your knowledge and understanding. Click here to join.