My experience with those types
I'll speak of four different cases.
1) I held my first AR when I went joined the Army, up to that point, you could say I was a neutral, but I was also 17, so I had lno ife experience to go on. As my military career went on, I began to see the need for weapons and my appreciation for them was cemented in Iraq in 2005. Not because they saved my life, but because local national contractors (Iraq civilians) would come on post to do the work that the rest of us didn't want to do. One day, I went into one of the contractor representatives' offices (the head iraq contractor guy). I hung out there for a while (since it was the last of the air conditioning for me for the day). I noticed the guy had an authentic Russian AK-47 with sawed off but stock sitting in the corner buy his desk. First I asked if I could check it out (my first AK, I was curious). Then I asked him why he was carrying it as it was illegal for Iraq's to have weapons on post. Apparently, the Army trusts this guy, so they let him keep it with him. Anyway, he was telling ,me that a few weeks prior, a group of insurgents had entered his neighbors house and killed the mans family and took him prisoner. Now, this guy doesn't live out in no-mans land. He lives in a neighbor hood that is constantly patrolled buy U.S. and Iraq forces. Yet, this incident still happened. The guy told me he hates guns, but that he couldn't take the chance and needed a defensive option to protect his family. That was the day I became not just pro-gun, but Pro 2A. I was 22 years old.
2) My Brazilian girlfriend, a brand new American (microbiologist too) was not anti-gun, but rather quietly against guns......A few weeks with me and now she see's the light. Especially after the Mexican drug cartel crisis. She said, I thought guns were illegal in Mexico? Why do the have so many gun problems? She knew the answer, same as I did....but at least she said it. I love her a lot more now.
3) My mom was as anti-gun as you can be with out attending the daily protests and playing dead in the streets with the rest of the crazies......I started her off on an airsoft pistol that resembles a 1911A1. I worked her up to a 22LR but she still needs more coaching.....doubt she'll ever be pro 2A, but I least I can get her to see the practical side of the arguement. A little education goes a long way.
4) My Grandfather used to pro gun, but in his old age, he has started questioning the need for them. That was, until I popped onto the scene after Iraq. My grandfather has quite a collection of older WWII type rifles to include an authentic British Enfield .303cal. He prefers the older rifles, but also took an appreciation to my Mk-14. I think he is stuck in neutral territory right now. Even us pro 2A guys know that not everyone should have gun , same as not every one should drive a car or be allowed to reproduce....but who are we to judge?
I think exposure is the greatest key to defeating the anti's. I've known some pro gunners to be turned off by guns, but never went full anti on them. It is againt the laws of physics for a pro 2A to go full anti. If that is the case, then the pro 2A was never a pro 2A to begin with. That would be the same as unlearning what you have learned.....This is because pro 2A guys know that sometimes, the bad guys and ill intentions will win. But that doesn't mean that you should throw in the towel and give in. Rather, you should learn and become aware.....like I did.
I have no problem with those that choose to refuse the gun ownership and would rather place their lives in the hands of strangers. But the minute these morons start issuing directives at me, I start to loose my respect for 1A.
