"Blue Steel" Independent vs Liberal friends

[olderthaniam]

I had a disappointing discussion with some friends up visiting me (in Napa Valley) for the weekend from San Francisco today. Since we last met, I bought my first handgun (and first firearm in California). I am naturally excited and proud of this development and see it a positive step. Responsible and legal ownership of firearms requires sound judgement and an acceptance and ability to predict the consequences of one's own actions, in other words, adulthood. (not to mention a fair amount of hoop-jumping in this state and my home state of Massachusetts)

Coming as I do from a liberal (though rural and somewhat non gun-phobic) background, I really examined my feelings about guns as a means of self-defense before choosing to take this path and bring a handgun into my home. I spent months reading everything I could about the subject (thanks Calguns, you were invaluable in this), talked quite a bit with my parter about her feelings on this, and asked the input of as many people as I could.

So, when the topic of my new handgun came up over lunch I was not impressed when they said, "I hope you get over this phase soon." It was clear that they thought I had "gone off the reservation" and they blithely wished me a speedy return to my senses. This was insulting. I am certain I have done much more research, soul searching, and given the topic more thought than they have, considering the fact that being pro-gun is definitely not part of the liberal territory occupied by all three of us more or less.

I am discouraged and at a loss as to how to explain to these friends how I came to this place and why I feel it deserves their respect and open consideration.

Thoughts?

[k1dude]

You have common sense that they lack. They are responding emotionally with no logic to support their 'feelings'.

[odysseus]

You cannot drive your conscious at the wavering judgment of your friends. Do as you believe is right by yourself. If they truly are your friends, they will still be your friend. And also you may take them shooting sometime and they too might find that not only is it empowering to express ones freedom in this way, arm oneself as a human right, but shooting is an enormous source of recreational fun. Truly those who are "against" it are just simply ignorant of these facts.

[Merc1138]

Find new friends. It may eventually be possible to win them over with logic, but if they're going to be nervously weirded out around you and gripe that you own a firearm, it's really not worth your time. That's the short term solution at least.

Aside from that, if you actually want to try converting them. Don't get into arguements. You can't win an arguement using logic when the other person is emotionally off the deep end. Take them to the range so they can see that other people, even total strangers can walk around with firearms, and using firearms, without mass murders occurring. I'm not sure what handgun you purchased, but don't stick a snub nose .357 magnum or a .45, or something else with a lot of kick in their hands either. A 9mm could show them that the weapon can be pointed in a safe direction and fired without babies and kittens dying by the dozen.

[MSL209]

When it comes to friends vs self protection... I'd go for the gun. They won't be there defending you in your time of need. By all means though try to convert them or at least get them to understand/accept wour perspective.

[tankerman]

So, when the topic of my new handgun came up over lunch I was not impressed when they said, "I hope you get over this phase soon." It was clear that they thought I had "gone off the reservation" and they blithely wished me a speedy return to my senses. This was insulting.

Welcome to the reality of dealing with smug liberals. Being on the receiving end this type of insult is common for those of us that enjoy personal freedoms and personal responsibilty.

[wksun88]

I know exactly how you feel man. Trust me, there are some people who don't understand, but are willing to learn, and there are those who will never understand because of their stubbornness. It sucks how some people think that just because you don't agree with them, you must be crazy.

[.454]

I had a disappointing discussion with some friends up visiting me (in Napa Valley) for the weekend from San Francisco today. Since we last met, I bought my first handgun (and first firearm in California). I am naturally excited and proud of this development and see it a positive step. Responsible and legal ownership of firearms requires sound judgement and an acceptance and ability to predict the consequences of one's own actions, in other words, adulthood. (not to mention a fair amount of hoop-jumping in this state and my home state of Massachusetts)

Coming as I do from a liberal (though rural and somewhat non gun-phobic) background, I really examined my feelings about guns as a means of self-defense before choosing to take this path and bring a handgun into my home. I spent months reading everything I could about the subject (thanks Calguns, you were invaluable in this), talked quite a bit with my parter about her feelings on this, and asked the input of as many people as I could.

So, when the topic of my new handgun came up over lunch I was not impressed when they said, "I hope you get over this phase soon." It was clear that they thought I had "gone off the reservation" and they blithely wished me a speedy return to my senses. This was insulting. I am certain I have done much more research, soul searching, and given the topic more thought than they have, considering the fact that being pro-gun is definitely not part of the liberal territory occupied by all three of us more or less.

I am discouraged and at a loss as to how to explain to these friends how I came to this place and why I feel it deserves their respect and open consideration.

Thoughts?

Big city liberals: elitist and snotty.
Welcome to the real world, friend.

[JBBenson]

My father being a Medical Examiner didn't really like guns, seeing daily the damage they wrought, and had no interest in them, but admitted that they are a right. My mother started as a gun-banner, but came around eventually, as she saw that gun control is simply unworkable.

To most of my "Hollywood" friends, guns are something they don't really like, but admit are a right, so it doesn't get further than that. Guns are not for everybody, and that's fine. I don't really talk about them with people. They are for me just a part of life. Even when I didn't own any guns, I have always supported the RKBA, like I support the other 9.

I did, however, have a conversation with a colleague, who admitted that she felt guns should not only be banned, but seized. She admitted this outright, and also admitted she was "proud" of her stance. If she were a 19 year old college student, I might have cut her some slack, as 19 year-olds don't really know much of anything, but this woman is really old enough to know better.

I was really stunned at not only her lack of knowledge, but her arrogance, irrationality, her lack of history, her lack of knowledge of what rights really are, and her devotion to making policy on "feel-good" measures.

I got myself all wound up, but then realized it wouldn't matter what I said: this is someone who has made up her mind.

What I did do, was send the NRA a check, started writing faxes (not emails) to Assembly Members, State Senators, the Governor etc. etc. Unbeknowest to her, she had sparked an activist, someone who would calmly do everything he could to make sure her viewpoint didn't prevail. It helped settle me down as well.

That is the best revenge.

[Raverous]

From what Iv seen and read, often the only thing to snap these people into reality is getting their door kicked in by a group of thugs and having to watch their wife/girlfriend/mom be raped and killed while they have no means to stop it.

[Spearo]

Yeah, I just don't hang out with those kind of people anymore.
Stay around my own kind, as to not be polluted with liberal socialist stupidity.

[rabagley]

Take them shooting. Worked for all of my liberal friends/family except for one holdout. He's an a**hole anyway.

[Snapping Twig]

Liberals engage in "group think", yet they accuse independent citizens of marching in lock step. Ironic eh?

[olderthaniam]

Great responses.

Wow, thanks for all the well thought out responses folks.

As far as this goes:

From what Iv seen and read, often the only thing to snap these people into reality is getting their door kicked in by a group of thugs and having to watch their wife/girlfriend/mom be raped and killed while they have no means to stop it.

While I don't wish that on my friends or enemies, a late night scare by what sounded like a very a large animal in my yard and around my house (up on a mountain, at least 10 minutes from any police response) got me thinking. It sounded like something was dragging a couch across our yard, and while I knew that it was very unlikely that an angry cougar or bear was about to break into our house and rape my girlfriend or cat, I felt like a damned fool for never considering having a firearm in our home to protect them.

Several months later, I have completed one of the most researched and most seriously considered purchases of my life and am now the very enthusiastic owner of a lightly used H&K USP Compact in .40S&W.

It sure is fun to practice with.

[gdun]

I knew that it was very unlikely that an angry cougar or bear was about to break into our house and rape my cat

hahahaha