Heckled about guns...

[SJgunguy24]

I usually point out that cars kill more Americans every year than guns do, so anyone who is afraid of guns "because they are dangerous" but has no problem riding in a car is a complete hypocrite.

Doctors kill a ton of people too from misdiagnosis, wrong meds, surgical mistakes. They should ban those, they're dangerous.

[CalBear]

Doctors kill a ton of people too from misdiagnosis, wrong meds, surgical mistakes. They should ban those, they're dangerous.

I think it's time for hospitals to become DFZs. They're killers I tell ya!

[Kodemonkey]

Short version.

I offer to take them shooting.
They typically decline at first.
But then they succumb to the curiosity.
They shoot.
Then he/she ask how can they get one.

All are aghast at the process they have to go through to obtain a firearm.
Most often heard comment along the lines of "Shouldn't be that hard for an honest/law abiding citizen to get a gun".
My response is usually something like "Welcome aboard, now write your Congressmen"

Vick

Can't agree with you more... the best way to turn the tide in this state is to turn people into gun owners.

[Hopalong]

Doesn't happen to me very often, but when it does, I say, "guns are as American as mom and apple pie; a unique American right".
They STFU right away, and usually start talking about golf.

[Matt P]

Why should any firearm owner need to defend his/her lawfull right in enjoyment/ownership/shooting/hunting of firearms.
Why do we need to offer any reason why we have them?
I can accept there are many persons who feel I have too many, or should not own them.
This does not bother me, why should it?
Is it because of how they are portrayed, or seen that we feel more of a need to defend our enjoyment of them?
I suggest if family seems to have issue, then do your part and get some formal training in an effort to demonstrate you ALSO recognize the risk of improper use/storage/handling whatever that seems to be at issue with firearms.
I would love to hear from a member who has consistantly attended training with firearms, if he/she still gets put into positions of having to defend his enjoyment of firearms.
I simply never have to defend my choice as it relates to firearms.
If you are the type of person who dosen't make others have to account for their choices, then why is it okay to allow others question yours?

[PsychGuy274]

Many wives disagree.

That's their problem.

[greasemonkey]

Many wives disagree.

My wife doesn't

Honestly, when questioned about my gun habit, I tell them that I am compensating for a small penis. It shuts them right up.

I've used that a select few times, man is that ever effective! They get stuck and can't tell if they should laugh, be offended or just pretend like you said nothing...it's a beautiful mix of awkward foot-in-mouth they end up with!

[Sajedene]

I guess I got pretty lucky that so far everyone around me supports and/or enjoys my hobby as well.

[oni.dori]

Doctors kill a ton of people too from misdiagnosis, wrong meds, surgical mistakes. They should ban those, they're dangerous.

IIRC, statistically, doctors kill MORE people a year than guns.

Additionally, I would have to agree with most people on here that taking them to the range and giving them a chance to experience and understand our hobby, along with non-confrontational/agressive conversation and education are the best ways to "convert" an anti. Two great examples I have of that are my wife, and my neighbor. My wife, being Japanese, and growing up in one of the most anti-gun countries in the world, completely changed her mind, stance, and opinions on guns after I educated her on them, and let her experience shooting them. Now, she tells me that she feels safer knowing that I have firearms in the house; and that if we didn't live together, she would want to have one of her own (I'm still trying to convince her to get a few anyways). Also, I have managed to get my neighbor hooked on the hobby, and chomping at the bit deciding which one he wants to buy first. Although, I must point out that my neighbor was never really ANTI gun, he just had minimal experience with them. After we spent some time together, and went to a recent gun show, I had some time to explain CA gun laws and regulations (read: bans), one of the first responses were "Are you serious!? That's rediculous!!!!!!". Then I believe he mentioned something along the lines of "How does that protect anyone?".
HOWEVER, not all antis acommodate polite conversation, so that route can at times be futile. That is when I refer to my previous posts. However, one key to the "battle" is timing, always timing. You have to choose the right times, setting, and circumstance is KEY to "winning" the debate.

[Mofo-Kang]

I had an @sshole co-worker say this to me...

"Why do you have to hide behind a gun?"

Sounds kind of belittling doesn't it.

I would tell him I have a black belt in judo, too, and I'm not hiding anywhere. If he's interested, I'd be as happy to share what I know about judo with him as I would be to share what I know about shooting.

[greasemonkey]

HOWEVER, not all antis acommodate polite conversation, so that route can at times be futile.

That's when the small penis compensation argument is played (or no wiener if you're the fairer sex). To those of you ladies on the thread, will you please work that into a discussion at some point when someone makes an anti-gun/condescending comment? Simply reply "because I'm compensating for not having a twig'n'berries" just to see what reaction you get!

[n2stackin]

Many wives disagree.

mine did too, at first. but after shooting mine she got excited about it. we're now 5 days away from picking up her new G19.

[Chris M]

mine did too, at first. but after shooting mine she got excited about it.

Same here. Just a few years ago my wife protested when I purchased my first hunting rifle, and then again when I purchased my first shotgun. She absolutely didn't want them in the house.

After taking her to a handgun safety class, and letting her shoot a .22 pistol, she instantly became addicted, and has purchased firearms of her own.

Patience & Reasoning go much farther than witty remarks and belittling comments.

[Blacktail 8541]

Don't let it bother you or get new friends. As far as family, your stuck with them. But you can always say, " don't bother comeing to my house when stuff happens".

[Subotai]

You could shave your head into a mohawk, buy an army jacket, look at the mirror in front of them, and say, "You talkin' to me" while pointing your finger like a gun.

They won't heckle you any more.