BigBore44 said:
...You totally left out why I said she isn't going to show up....
Some people will always be completely unreachable. There's nothing we can do about them.
I think it helps set the stage for more effective RKBA advocacy if we start understanding things in cultural terms. Much of today's anti-gun sentiment is a byproduct of the continuing urbanization of America. California, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, etc., are strongly anti-gun in part because the bulk of the political power in those States is in a few major cities. The rural parts of those States are much more pro-gun or neutral. And in States like Washington and Oregon which generally have decent gun laws, the urban centers area still hot beds of anti-gun sentiment.
People tend to look for support and validation from others who share their tastes and values; and they distinguish themselves, often in a denigrating manner, from those who do not. The city dweller likes to fancy himself sophisticated, socially liberal, well educated, urbane, fashionable, etc.; and he wants to associate with, and have his self image validated by, people he perceives are like him. And they set themselves apart from those they find different -- such as the type of person they believe usually owns guns.
Of course that's a gross oversimplification of a complex social phenomenon. But I think it works for this illustration.
To help make a dent in urban anti-gun sentiments, we must challenge those anti-gun sentiments by demonstrating that sophisticated, urbane perspectives on other things aren't inexorably intertwined with hating guns.
Each of us needs to help, by our manner of relating to the world, build a positive public image for gun owners. We need to be good ambassadors for gun owners, dispelling the negative stereotypes many members of the public have of gun owners, by being sober, rational, intelligent, responsible, and active participants in the affairs of our communities.
My wife and I have made a number of inroads with people we know, not by arguing but rather by forcing them to confront the fact that while we are gun owners and active participants in the gun world, we are otherwise much like them.