[dog2000tj]

As the title implies ... how many of you all have debated with an anti-gun proponent the topic of gun control? I ask this because I wonder how many folks have actually been educated to the error of their thinking and changed their position

If you have debated with an anti-gun proponent please share with us what your strategy was and the points you used to make your argument.

thanks

 

[danf_fl]

I'm also counting one "assist" of getting a newspaper reporter to understand that a gun by itself is not "evil".

 

[John_Deer]

No one that comes into my life is anti gun. Trying to find an anti gunner in my life is like trying to find an anti gun person at the LGS.

 

[Axxe55]

i have tried on many occasions to debate the issues of gun ownership with those who hate guns and think they are evil and cause crime. i have several family members on my mother's, including one of my older sisters who believe in these liberal thoughts about guns. even my own mother, by gosh thinks i shouldn't own guns and think that only the military and LE have a need for them! i have pointed out the 2nd admendment, i have used facts, reasoning and common sense in my debates and they still can't see the light. i have left them with the hope that they never have a reason to regret their choices and decisions about guns, due to a violent crime. they are my family and i truly love them, but strongly disagree with their choices.

 

[winds-of-change]

I was an "anti-gunner" for most of my life. Someone took the time and patience to teach me. It took several months but I eventually flew to Cali to meet this person and go to the range with him. That took a gargantuan leap of faith on my behalf. I've been hooked ever since.

As a result of me being an "anti-gunner" I raised three children in the same fashion. I guess I shouldn't say I 'converted' them as my oldest son had a FOID card before I did. His friends were interested in guns and when they went to the gun store, my son couldn't handle the guns unless he had a FOID card so he got one. He and I have gone shooting together. I have shown my children, through my words and actions, that guns aren't bad like I thought they were. Now just the other day my daughter, who was the staunchest 'anti-gunner' of my children said, "Maybe I should get a FOID card before they ban them here in Illinois." Personally, I think she's confusing the AWB talk floating around with banning the FOID card but I didn't correct her. I think I'll offer to help her fill out her FOID card application.

I think if we can keep our heads about us and talk civilly and patiently with anti-gunners, we can educate them. It's not going to happen in one conversation, it'll take some time. As people see and get to know those of us who own guns and see that we are not "crazy" and are responsible and take owning guns seriously, we will convert them.

 

[primer1]

Even though this is the first time I even viewed this thread, it said I already voted -confused-. Anyways, I have slowly converted my brother, who used to say "citizens dont need anything other than a .22 or shotgun, and a ccw is for paranoids". He has since bought a .357, agrees with ccw, even though he doesn't have one. We had a debate on "assault" rifles this spring, and he was considering buying one a couple weeks ago.

 

[jjfuller1]

my wife was okay with me using guns, and having a few.. over time spent talking and taking her to shoot my she went from slightly agianst them to wanting and buying her own. at work ive made really good points to some of my coworkers that conceded i made a good logical stance, however they still felt they wanted more restrictions on certain weapons like AK's n AR's. and the mag issue is hard to change there mind on. guess i'll keep trying.

 

[willshoum]

Anti guns......

Man I live in La. The sportsmans paradise........Once them arse holes from the babtist church that was going to picket the funeral of a soldier killed in afsewerstan found out that 2,000 people were to show up and cause them pain they changed thier minds......

 

[Rick1967]

My mother and brother were both anti gun. I have worked on them for decades. When Obama got elected my mom said she might buy a gun before it was too late. I asked her if she could pull the trigger in self defense if she had too. She admitted that she could not. I advised her not to buy one. I was afraid a home invader would take it away and use it against her. I keep trying to get her to go to the range with me. But she has not yet. But the fact that she considered buying one tells me her mind has changed about the rights of the people. I would happily give her one of mine if I could get her to go out and shoot it. She has actually said she would just point it at them hoping to scare them away.

 

[Mosin]

My girlfriend was indifferent. I took her to the range and let her shoot. Now she's very pro gun.
She's a teacher and was against the idea of CCW in school. I asked her if she didn't trust her boss to carry a gun if needed. She said a student might get it. I asked how a student would even know he had one. She thought a minute and said she was for it.

 

[vincent]

I have lots of friends in the Northeast who are/were indifferent...(notsomuch here in the South... )

The past few weeks I've received several emails and phone calls from friends wanting info on gun ownership.

Of course I'm only happy to oblige...

 

[winds-of-change]

All these testimonials are telling us we need to work at it with patience. None of these people were convinced guns were not bad in one debate. If we keep our heads on straight and don't go losing our tempers on the "anti-gunners" we will slowly make progress.

 

[Axxe55]

All these testimonials are telling us we need to work at it with patience. None of these people were convinced guns were not bad in one debate. If we keep our heads on straight and don't go losing our tempers on the "anti-gunners" we will slowly make progress.

be passionate but not emotional. use actual facts that can be supported if they look them up from credible sources. use common sense above all else.

i have said this before, and IMO, a true liberal gun hater is not going to be swayed, convinced or converted, no matter how compelling your facts or evidence may be. those sitting on the fence who just haven't been exposed to guns for whatever reason are those we need to work with. those who can see reason and common sense and can look at an issue with intelligence and ask questions about things they don't understand, those who want to see both sides and all the facts before making a decision.

 

[KG7IL]

I tend to work at the grass roots level. Family, Friends, Neighbors.

I can't say that any of these folks would be activist anti-gun folks, but they probably would have fallen prey to the lies in the media and from our President.

My approach. Take them shooting. Pay for the ammo, supply the guns.
Be sure and start each session with a safety talk (I almost always take them outside, either on my range, or before that on public lands).

I have them help me declare the firing line, the target zone and backstop.

Each new shooter must have an experienced shooter at the new shooters shoulder. ....
Every shooter get's hearing protection.

I like to start with 22's and have them work up to the .223 or 7.62x39 in my favorite configurations.

The more that they feel involved with the process, the more they seem to embrace it.
Loading Mags, Inserting Mags, firing, and one they all love, Learning how to show themselves and me, that they are unloaded. All pop cans and paper targets are picked up after the shoot.

Each new shooter will leave knowing that WE ALL CARE WHERE THE MUZZLE IS POINTED at all time, and that the firearms are always treated as if they are loaded.

Once the mystery is removed, and they feel that they have a part, attitudes change.

 

[John_Deer]

be passionate but not emotional. use actual facts that can be supported if they look them up from credible sources. use common sense above all else.

i have said this before, and IMO, a true liberal gun hater is not going to be swayed, convinced or converted, no matter how compelling your facts or evidence may be. those sitting on the fence who just haven't been exposed to guns for whatever reason are those we need to work with. those who can see reason and common sense and can look at an issue with intelligence and ask questions about things they don't understand, those who want to see both sides and all the facts before making a decision.

A local newspaper writer (Barry Saunders) says the facts are irrelevant in one of his articles. Barry is a popular writer and his articles usually make sense. In fact, he went on to state the person that presented the facts was likely illiterate. I can't help it if he doesn't want to believe that more people die from medical errors than guns. No one make someone want to believe something.

What is funny is I fell asleep waiting on an oral surgeon. The dental assistant said she could never fall asleep in any medical facility. She would be scared to wake up having the wrong procedure done on her. Medical mistakes must happen a lot!

In the big picture your child has a better chance of winning the lottery and being struck by lightning in the same day than being involved in a mass shooting if we did nothing at all. Yet we have all this legislation in the works to make someone feel better.

There is nothing to present. People believe what they want to believe. We can't change human nature. Shootings make people emotional. Facts have nothing to do with emotion.

The Boston Globe had a poll at the end of one of it's articles about the CT shooting. The poll asked if legislation would have prevented the shooting in CT. 82% responded that legislation would not make a difference. Yet the media finds polls that show different numbers.

 

[texaswoodworker]

In this area, anti gun liberals are rare. Anti gun liberals that will actually admit to being anti gun are even rarer. The joys of living in a country town.

 

[johnr43]

Hopefully, the light goes on

I was an "anti-gunner" for most of my life. Someone took the time and patience to teach me. It took several months but I eventually flew to Cali to meet this person and go to the range with him. That took a gargantuan leap of faith on my behalf. I've been hooked ever since.

As a result of me being an "anti-gunner" I raised three children in the same fashion. I guess I shouldn't say I 'converted' them as my oldest son had a FOID card before I did. His friends were interested in guns and when they went to the gun store, my son couldn't handle the guns unless he had a FOID card so he got one. He and I have gone shooting together. I have shown my children, through my words and actions, that guns aren't bad like I thought they were. Now just the other day my daughter, who was the staunchest 'anti-gunner' of my children said, "Maybe I should get a FOID card before they ban them here in Illinois." Personally, I think she's confusing the AWB talk floating around with banning the FOID card but I didn't correct her. I think I'll offer to help her fill out her FOID card application.

I think if we can keep our heads about us and talk civilly and patiently with anti-gunners, we can educate them. It's not going to happen in one conversation, it'll take some time. As people see and get to know those of us who own guns and see that we are not "crazy" and are responsible and take owning guns seriously, we will convert them.

It is indeed, a process and mostly a journey - if you can get them to listen with at least a semblance of open mindedness. Sometimes the light goes on. My wife came around 180 degrees and now has a carry permit also. We target shoot weekly now.

 

[Mosin]

Why debate? Just whip out a bat and start hitting them.

'Defend yourself!, come on, stop me.' You should say,



This is a joke, I do not condone wasting good bats on anti gunners.

 

[FullautoUSA]

This is a joke, I do not condone wasting good bats on anti gunners.

Just use natural recourses like rocks.

Joke obviously, we shouldn't sink to their level.

 

[CrazedJava]

Big fat ZERO for me.

As a former gun control advocate, I know three types of people. Those who already shoot and support gun ownership, those that don't care, and those that see guns as just inherently dangerous.

I won't back down from my stance, but I've made no headway on the third group since changing many of my views.