Anti(s) never use logic, just feelings. This is why they will not debate the points with you.
A fine approach to take in an argument is to ask them if they
feel that way, if perhaps another event in their life is influencing their judgement, or if they are going to provide you with Uniform Crime Report equivalent statistics/studies that show their opinion to be a factual assertion. Don't be too mean.
Depending on whether or not you have bothered to do your own homework, you may confront them with your blindingly neutral evidence to the contrary, or just ask them to try again when they have bothered to consider that there are two sides to an argument and that they should respect your right to ask for evidence. Grade school applications of fairness should be readily apparent if not intimately comprehended by them.
Depending on your acquaintance you may also take hold of their hands and begin chanting kumbaya in order to help rid them of their fear of theft. Some gushing comments about empathy and feeling the same way they do, for the sake of the children, challenge we all have to face etc... won't go amiss.
There is the off chance this causes them to freak out, the combination of illicit and over the counter drugs circulating in their system causing them to see a massive and ungainly yet strangely intoxicating, heavily armed pink fuzzy panda on the huggy time warpath, but you're armed for just this eventuality. They did cover aborted drum circle gathering escape and evasion at your CCW class, eh?
Most people I have met (remember, it's not anecdotal(s), it's data!) who react with hostility toward guns just want a nice, fuzzy answer. Give it to them. The next time you meet you may start them on their path of service for citizenship. Plant the fuzzy seed!
