Gun Shaming

[Mitch]

That is true. I imagine for her closer friends and family, they're more concerned (naturally so) with her particular case, which was death by gunshots.

So by that logic I suppose the families of his first three victims are angry about easy access to knives? I somehow doubt it. What do you think those families are going through right now? There's no big national grassroots political organization for them to pin this on.

One thing we know they aren't doing: none of them are standing in front of network teevee cameras whining about knife control.

The weapons had nothing to do with this tragedy. It's impossible for me to understand the logic that suggests the weapons used were important for some of the victims but not for others. All the victims are just as dead today.

[dchang0]

But most importantly, it will come from having confidence. Where do you/we get this confidence? In a few words, because we know we're right.

Outstanding advice.

I'd like to take it a bit further and say that the first thing to do is work on not feeling any shame.

By that I mean that you must learn how to control and then overcome the hot flush of shame that passes through your body when in that type of situation. You know what I'm talking about--shame, embarrassment, etc., all produce a bodily reaction like that.

To control and overcome that feeling of shame is as readysetgo says: you must develop confidence in your belief that having a gun is good and right, but it is also about developing the confidence in you yourself, that you have a right to have an opinion and that that opinion is valuable enough that no random person can make you feel less than them just because their opinion conflicts with yours.

I point you to a famous Eleanor Roosevelt quote: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Believe your opinions are worth at least as much as this other idiot's opinion, and the hot flush of shame won't occur within you any more.

[dchang0]

I think you're spot on BUT it needs to be pointed out that those doing the "shaming" are almost certainly aware of this tendency and are trying to use this to their advantage.

Very true. I ran into a liberal online who was well-versed in using "belittling" intentionally as a tactic. I was able to disarm him of that tactic by calling it out into the open for what it was.

[Gem1950]

Very true. I ran into a liberal online who was well-versed in using "belittling" intentionally as a tactic. I was able to disarm him of that tactic by calling it out into the open for what it was.

Belittling is a common tactic used by those with an agenda that does not hold water. I see it frequently around here being used by those of the troll persuasion.

[SharpAsABall]

I'd like to thank you guys again for your insight. There was a small memorial for her after the college-wide memorial. It wasn't filled with people, and fortunately nobody said anything to me. Though I did get a few states (at least that's what it felt like).

I'm learning that not feeling apologetic or "closeted" is something people slowly learn, and I'm a lot different now than when I first started shooting. Again, I have you guys to thank for you.

Keep shooting, stay safe, and take care.