This post was originally published on this site.
It seems that every other day, there is a shooting highlighted on the news. And like clockwork, we, the adamant supporters of the Second Amendment, are once again vilified and attacked. These attacks are rarely polite and, in most cases, are vicious and vulgar. Many times, they are launched by celebrities who rally for disarmament while enjoying the protection provided by armed security. The hypocrisy is enormous and expected. Even in the face of this, I, and many like me, are still compelled to have conversations with people regarding the Second Amendment and gun ownership in general. As you roll your eyes at the thought that there is no room for discussion, I will explain just who my audience is.
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Help Them off the Fence – Second Amendment Discussions
There are many on the left who are simply incapable of having a rational discussion on firearms. They are entrenched in their emotion-driven ideals, and nothing short of a miracle will move them. The people I am most interested in talking to are those on the fence about firearms. In my day-to-day life, I encounter many people who are neither anti-gun nor pro-gun. In their own words, they can “see both sides.” These tend to be thoughtful people capable of having a rational discussion on guns.
I would say, though, that how we carry ourselves in that conversation is important. While I would never tell anyone what to say, I would like to offer a few suggestions on how to share our points and help people get off the fence.
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Polarizing Topic
While we rightfully hold the Second Amendment as an inalienable right, it is also a highly polarizing concept. In short, people in the middle are susceptible to Second Amendment fatigue. This is a condition in which they are tired of being beaten over the head with a document they do not fully understand and for which nobody has provided modern-day clarity. In short, we need to educate them on this important topic. Few people in the U.S. own guns simply because it is a right. If we acted on things simply because they were our rights, then voter turnout for elections would be enormous.
We own guns because of what they provide. This is the essence of gun ownership and what we are passionate about. It is this passion that we need to share with those who are on the fence. People own guns for a variety of reasons, but the primary one is personal defense. We are ultimately responsible for our own personal defense and the defense of our loved ones. As per the decision handed down by the Supreme Court, law enforcement does not have an obligation to protect you. This is not out of malice, but because of logistics. There simply are not enough police officers to actively protect every citizen from violence. A firearm allows me the opportunity to protect myself from danger.
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Self-Defense Statistics
The argument that usually arises at this point is, “How often does that even happen?” The suggestion is that we are paranoid. In a recently unearthed piece of research from the CDC, we find that about 2.5 million Americans use guns to defend themselves or their families every year. This matters because we live in a dangerous world, and hope is not a course of action. Just because a person has not experienced a violent crime does not mean it will never happen. Having a firearm is an insurance policy to help deal with real-world dangers. While we pray we never have to use it, we are prepared for the worst.
It is at this point that we usually encounter the idea that some guns are acceptable, but others are not. Enter the AR-15 argument. Never has an inanimate object been so vilified. While I would assert that those driving anti-gun talking points understand this, it is easy to move people by creating a boogeyman. My personal response is straightforward. I explain that this specific firearm has been singled out because it is easy to demonize based on appearance. People simply do not understand how guns work.
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The AR-15
The AR-15 is not a military weapon, nor is it an “assault weapon.” This is also the point where I encourage people to think for themselves. I politely show them that much of what they have heard about these rifles is distorted and, in many cases, simply false.
Anti-gun leaders exploit the fact that many people do not know any better. Once again, this provides a segue into more misinformation. High on that list is the manipulation of data and statistics pushed out by our opposition. One example we have seen in recent weeks is the number of school shootings across the United States. These numbers are often intentionally skewed to make it sound as if schools are battlegrounds. When people hear this, they picture elementary schools and small children, or perhaps a local high school. What they often do not realize is that these statistics include incidents such as:
- Gunshots were fired from off campus that randomly struck a building at California State University
- A student pressing the trigger on a school liaison officer’s firearm in Maplewood, Minnesota
- A man committing suicide in the parking lot of an elementary school that had been closed for six months in St. Johns, Michigan
- Manipulation of shooters and victims being “children”, when many are in their late teens or early 20s.
The list goes on, but this is enough to show how emotion influences perception. If we present this calmly, without lecturing or finger-wagging, we can encourage a more critical look at the information people are being given.
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The Bill of Rights
The last point I raise in these conversations is the Second Amendment itself. I view the Bill of Rights as an interlinked system where one cannot exist without the others. The First Amendment is crucial, but it must be protected by the Second Amendment, and vice versa. The Tenth Amendment is in jeopardy without the First, and so on. The Second Amendment exists to allow citizens to own firearms, with the core purpose of ensuring the security of a free state. While some argue this applies only to the military, it was clearly intended to allow everyday citizens the ability to protect themselves and their country. Lastly, on this point, the Second Amendment is not a right given by politicians.
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Help Them off the Fence
Firearm owners and advocates in the United States are the guardians of the Second Amendment. It is not only in our best interest to protect it, but it is also our duty as citizens. There is an ongoing effort to gradually erode many of the liberties outlined in the Bill of Rights, and the Second Amendment is currently at the forefront. I encourage you to engage with as many people as possible on this topic. It is equally important that we educate our children on the true meaning and intent of the Second Amendment.
Listen to others respectfully and acknowledge their concerns. At the same time, be informed enough to articulate your own position clearly and thoughtfully. If someone is completely closed off, move on and look for those who are open to discussion. They are out there, and they are key to strengthening our position.
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