Re: dealing with anti gun people
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jayne</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I went out with and eventually married an anti-gun person.
Now she goes to the skeet range with me to "push the button" to throw the clays, goes to the rifle range 1-2 times a year with me to put some rounds though the rimfires, let's me reload in the living room (and one time got sucked into helping me prep brass acting as the primer pocket cleaning volunteer), says "yes dear, that's a nice rifle/scope/widget you just bought" when I show off new toys, corrects my form when I'm dry firing my evil black rifles prone in the family room, etc.
How?
- listen to her view points, treat them like they're valid from her viewpoint (because they are)
- understand the underlying "fear thoughts" that makes her keep those negative view points
- over time, logically break down the fear thoughts and show why they're not really that scary
- loop back around and show that now that her fear thoughts aren't valid that she should question her original view points
- let her draw her own new conclusions
and...
- be an example of safe, responsible gun ownership
- teach her how to be safe, stress that all the time
- acknowledge that guns 'can be dangerous' just like any other tool, and use that to reinforce why we do things the way we do
- don't push too fast, let her learn at her own pace
Yea, it took me a while but now I've converted her, and some of her friends. Now there are at least 5 SF liberals that no longer think guns are all evil and if not share our viewpoint, at least understand it enough to not knee jerk into "ban everything!" reactions. I've also shown at least 4 women how to shoot. Figuring no guy is going to be anti-gun if his woman isn't, that's 8 more people I've turned away from the dark side of anti-gun.
Not saying you should marry all anti-gun people, just saying it is possible to turn people around.
Don't give up!
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Ding Ding Ding. This is what I do also. I really find my greatest triumphs in converting anti gunners. To me if I can take an anti and turn them into a pro, in effect I have converted two people at one time. I have done this many many times.