Anti Caught Me Competely Off Guard

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orionengnr said:
I wonder what would have happened if all 12-15 of you just started laughing at him...and didn't quit?
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This is an awesome thread. All the responses have been great, but picturing the above situation is the most satisfying.

My suggestion is to respond with "Horsefeathers!" or "Preposterous!" (ideally including more than a little theatrical mock-indignance). This accomplishes two things. It defuses the situation while putting him on the defensive. Meanwhile, you have time to recover so you don't suffer from l'esprit d'escalier.
 
WALKERs210 said:
On Wed's at a local flea market there is one place that all the gun buyer/seller/traders congregate. Today while I was there we were all having a decent conversation when out of nowhere a man walked up and pointed to a 20rd mag for a SKS and went into a rant about why no one should have anything like that. He went on to say that only LEO's or military should have anything that could have more than 3-5 rds. I have always been able to think on my feet and at least defend a position or view point but this time it came out of nowhere and I was at a loss for words as was the other 12-15 men that were there. The guy finished his rant and just turned and walked away, then conversation went on like he had never been there. As an after thought I believe that my not saying anything to him was probably the best thing as when I look back at his attitude I do think it would have escalated to a worse situation. But at same time I am troubled by me not at least responding even in a simple remark.
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From the sounds of it, this individual was not looking to have a conversation. Someone who does something as silly as give an unprovoked and uninvited lecture to a complete stranger about a potentially controversial subject is not likely to be open to hearing opposing arguments.

Your inability to respond was probably a blessing in disguise, as not responding was likely the best course of action. I would probably not have been able to give any kind of polite response, and as Thumper the rabbit says, "if you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all."
 
I don't *need* a reason for a magazine of any given capacity. Just like I didn't *need* a reason for a 175-mph motorcycle, but I had one of those too.

A few years ago me Dad got the hots for a new truck. He kept coming up with all kinds of reasons to justify it.

"Dad, do you *want* the truck?"

"Yes. The savings on serv-"

"Can you *afford* the truck?"

"Yes. And would get bett-"

"I'll give you a ride to the dealership. Let's go."
 
I think I would have told the guy that he's absolutely correct. People who are so emotionally out of control... as he was... shouldn't have high capacity magazines. Better yet... just don't own a firearm at all given his inability to control his rage. Then I'd thank him for pointing out such a fine and obvious example of who should not own firearms. Then I'd wish him luck if/when anyone with violent intent breaks into his home and best wishes that his yelling and ranting scares the bad guys away.

EDIT: I'd then politely ask him to thoroughly berate his breakers-in to stop carrying high capacity magazines as that practice is unnecessary and inappropriate. Surely, that will shame them into disposing of their evil firearms and will be instantly transformed into good honest hardworking citizens.
 
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Sometimes if I don't have the patience to respond to an anti I just say, 'If you don't like our Constitution I hear England is nice.' And walk away.
 
There is nothing you could have said that would have made any difference to him. All of you just ignoring him and going about your conversation like he wasn't there would have more impact on him that any rebuttal you could have made.
 
WALKERs210 said:
...out of nowhere a man walked up and pointed to a 20rd mag for a SKS and went into a rant about why no one should have anything like that. He went on to say that only LEO's or military should have anything that could have more than 3-5 rds.
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You have as many chances to live as you have bullets in your gun. Frankly, I want as many as I can get.
 
The man didn't care about your opinion or facts. He just wanted to be heard since his opinion is all he cared about. I doubt he would have engaged in any reasonable debate. He has an idealism entrenched in emotion instead of examining facts and existing examples that are contrary to his belief. Beliefs founded in emotion are nearly impossible to change.
 
316SS said:
This is an awesome thread. All the responses have been great, but picturing the above situation is the most satisfying.

My suggestion is to respond with "Horsefeathers!" or "Preposterous!" (ideally including more than a little theatrical mock-indignance). This accomplishes two things. It defuses the situation while putting him on the defensive. Meanwhile, you have time to recover so you don't suffer from l'esprit d'escalier.
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My personal favorite is 'Balderdash!' or perhaps a 'Poppycock!'. Then proceed to ignore the fool and continue with what I was doing.

Anti's who are that amped up are never going to listen anyway.

Or tell the guy to put his money where his mouth is, buy the thing to get it out of circulation.
 
OP,
You can't fix stupid. Thank him for his opinion and wish him a nice day. He's looking to start and this will just frustrate him to no end.
 
I tend to cut no quarter to people like that. I probably would have asked if he was man enough to take my high capacity magazine away from me (I usually have one nearby). May as well put up or shut up. I wonder if it ever occurs to them that someone might "fight" for their rights. I'm always willing to meet a guy half way, either to talk reasonably, or fight. He was looking for a fight.
 
Jlr2267 said:
I would have thanked him for exercising his 1st amendment right, then ask him to extend me the same courtesy with my 2nd amendment right.
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Great post, but idiots like this are more than happy to give up a portion or all of their rights for the so called "greater good" and "security".
 
If you consider it this way its pretty common for the kind of person who goes out of his way to insult strangers to believe that the world would be a better place without guns. By thinking on your feet you might have gotten the better of the exchange, but you couldn't have swayed him.
 
Well, an unsolicited rant from a stranger would likely get the same response from me no matter what was being discussed. It would be a two word comment and the last word would be "you".
 
Hi Walker,

Sister Beatrice told me if you can't say anything nice to say nothing at all. That sounded like an ideal opportunity to follow that advice. If for no other reason if the guy was crazed enough to be aggressive, insulting and downright rude to a stranger that had a chance to be armed, you can't really credit him with very good sense to begin with and would have likely escalated with any kind of encouragement.

Consider the source and let it go.
 
In a sense I'm "lucky". When someone huffs up like that, telling me "nobody needs..." I can point to the knife scar on my arm and say...."nope, yer WRONG!"
 
Well, an unsolicited rant from a stranger would likely get the same response from me no matter what was being discussed. It would be a two word comment and the last word would be "you".
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I have told everyone that I have changed drastically since I lost my first wife of over 30yrs. Her loss took the wind out of my sails and I make it point to try and not let anything aggravate me to the point of saying or doing something that could get out of hand. Figure it takes a better man to walk away than to stand and argue with someone that could not understand when they were out classed or out witted even by me. :banghead:
 
Heh!

He used a tactic which involved a strong delivery followed up with a denial of opportunity for rebuttal by leaving. He left because he didn't want to hear the responses he knew he'd get from a dozen different directions.

An appropriate response is one that makes your own point and then denies HIM the opportunity to respond without looking like a jerk.

This could have been as simple as a pointed ignoring of his presence.

:)
 
Yeah Walker, I'm old enough to know better. I suppose I'm still too young to care though. :)

In all seriousness, rude condescending people will get a response from me that is rude and condescending. If someone truly feels a certain way and wishes to discuss it, that's fine. I will be civil and even respect their opinion whether or not I agree with it. But I have no patience for stupidity and rudeness, especially if the person was in no way involved in my conversation and just butted in.
It seems like the older I get the more I feel this way.
 
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