Debating the anti gun crowd

[Rgarbarino]

How do you debate the anti gun crowd who think more gun control will stop gun crimes? I've been getting into it with a few friends and every time I try and make a point that gun control doesn't work they come right back with anti propaganda. The latest one was the chart going around that showed the U.S. As having the highest gun crime per 100,000 population compared to like 10 other countries.

Here's an example of one of the conversations. I asked how does limiting a magazine to 10 rounds instead of 15 stop gun crime? How does a bullet button instead of a regular mag release stop gun crime? How does a 10 day waiting period stop gun crime? Etc..

One response was what if a psycho came into my kids school with a gun and had a 15 round magazine and my kid was victim number 11, I'd want a ten round mag then right?

How do you debate that when no matter what you say they have some BS comeback?

Most of the time I just don't get into it wth them but it's frustrating.

[Snapping Twig]

Cognitive dissonance is a mental disorder - they have it.

[Rhyyke]

It is very frustraiting, and I just stopped trying. Thankfully ever since I left college and became more selective with who I spend time with, these encounters are few and far between for me.

[CalAlumnus]

"To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture.”

[Mute]

I wouldn't "debate" a true anti-gunner anymore than I'd "debate" someone who's mentally ill. But..I repeat myself.

[Gem1950]

"Making good people defenseless won't make bad people harmless"

The main purpose of possessing firearms is to protect people and preserve lives.

[trigger945]

If you debate with an open-minded person who uses logic, then there is hope. Otherwise, don't bother. You can't use sound reasoning against insanity. It just will not go anywhere no matter the topic.

[Killawhale415]

Its all about education my friend! Don't give up on your friends just present them with the facts in a logical mature way.

[Oceanbob]

Wrong forum. Mods please move...

[pdoggeth]

I try not to talk about guns outside of my gun friend zone, but if it ever comes up to "debate", I don't go in with the idea that I'm going to convert them.

Perhaps a good approach is to find out what exactly is their grievance with guns, and then chip away at that. For example, if they are against guns because the media is telling them that gun crime is out of control, you can politely remind them than gun crime is going down all while the number of guns and gun owners are going up. And if they don't believe you, to check the stats for themselves.

You don't have to get them to like guns, just perhaps to let them know things aren't going to hell in a hand basket when it comes to guns. Plant seeds of doubt =).

[reverser]

Its all about education my friend! Don't give up on your friends just present them with the facts in a logical mature way.

^
THIS. I live in the middle of Berkeley of all places. I've actually been able to convert a few people by taking them to the range. My argument was that they were unable to see my point of view because they had never even USED a gun before. Once they had actually seen the way of the pew pew pew it was a little harder for them to just be against it. Mostly it's an exciting experience for a newbie. The ones that I've brought to the range now argue that while it is fun and should be allowed, more restrictions need to be put in place. So, you may never fully win them over, but any progress you make with someone that is ignorant of our rights is helpful to us all in the long run.

This is why I don't run to the desert to be a hermit or move out of state. If we all did that they'd take over and that's not what we want, is it? Stand firm and fight the good fight. It's our California too.

[SirBoomsalot]

Put a gun to their head and tell them they agree with you now.....

[LowThudd]

Well, you can look at this map, and compare it to countries with the highest rate of gun violence and see that all of the countries that have HIGHER gun violence statistics have fewer guns per capita. That in it's self is rather telling. Also, the majority of the countries with more gun violence than us have more strict gun laws. Like Mexico for instance.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_firearm-related_death_rate

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Number_of_guns_per_capita_by_country

Very few of the countries with the highest gun violence even register in the top ten in gun ownership.



Also is the fact that MOST of the world has a higher murder rate than the US. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o..._homicide_rate

[The War Wagon]

You can't "debate" the mentally ill. Just pity them, and move along.

[Rhyyke]

Here are some things you can forward them. These are either left leaning organizations or in the case of Pew Research, neutral.

The Assault Weapons Myth, from the New York Times

2nd Amendment Scholar says assault weapons ban wouldn't pass constitutional muster on PBS

How to think about guns on NPR

Gun death rate down 49%, public unaware by Pew Research Center

The truth about assault weapons, by a SJPD officer

Great post! This will be my lunch break reading assignment lol.