JimmerJammerMrK
Member
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2007
- Messages
- 131
I was watching the news with my parents, who I knew were moderately anti-gun (and now I know they are STRONGLY anti). At one point just before a commercial, the station did a 10 second teaser of the news would be read in the half-hour to follow the commercial. Included in this teaser was talk of the Heller decision. I asked my parents if they had heard about it, which they had'nt, and went on to explain the ban and the decision.
Most of what followed was the usual debate, but I thought a few things were very interesting. To start, my mother called the decision unfortunate, and said that there is a real problem with gun violence in this country. To this I responded, "Exactly. That's why we shouldn't ban responsible adults from owning them. The criminals will get guns with or without the bans."
She then made the argument that guns stolen from responsible owners are found on the street, and the argument about children playing with loaded firearms and killing themselves. Both of these things are legitimate concerns, of course, but can be, IMHO, minimized with education.
Then, I asked her what if someone were to invade her home. She responded by saying that she wasn't worried about it, and that nothing ever happens where she lives. I ended the discussion there, as it was becoming more of an argument than anything (because she couldn't really back up her arguments with logic, and I was picking them apart), but thought to myself, "Why would anyone choose not to be prepared for the worst? What do you possibly have to lose by being prepared, just in case?"
In the end, I believe I was somewhat successful in getting her thinking about personal safety, but I doubt anything other than a confrontation with a BG would totally convince her. Any advice, things I could have done/said differently? I'm not terribly concerned with converting her at the moment, but what about talking to antis in general (and there are A LOT of them here in California)?
Most of what followed was the usual debate, but I thought a few things were very interesting. To start, my mother called the decision unfortunate, and said that there is a real problem with gun violence in this country. To this I responded, "Exactly. That's why we shouldn't ban responsible adults from owning them. The criminals will get guns with or without the bans."
She then made the argument that guns stolen from responsible owners are found on the street, and the argument about children playing with loaded firearms and killing themselves. Both of these things are legitimate concerns, of course, but can be, IMHO, minimized with education.
Then, I asked her what if someone were to invade her home. She responded by saying that she wasn't worried about it, and that nothing ever happens where she lives. I ended the discussion there, as it was becoming more of an argument than anything (because she couldn't really back up her arguments with logic, and I was picking them apart), but thought to myself, "Why would anyone choose not to be prepared for the worst? What do you possibly have to lose by being prepared, just in case?"
In the end, I believe I was somewhat successful in getting her thinking about personal safety, but I doubt anything other than a confrontation with a BG would totally convince her. Any advice, things I could have done/said differently? I'm not terribly concerned with converting her at the moment, but what about talking to antis in general (and there are A LOT of them here in California)?