Don’t Confuse Our Objections to Your Solutions For Disagreement Over the Problem
Conversations about politically charged topics like gun control can make fairly calm discussion turn into something very ugly. I have found over the years that one of the greatest issues tends to be the challenge in finding common ground. This is why I always try to start off the conversation by letting people know that I agree there is a problem.
Next time someone asks you about your feelings around the second amendment start by letting them know that gun owners agree that there are some problems, we just generally disagree with the most popular solutions being proposed and sensationalized in the media.
We know that people are getting killed and that far too many small and large level shootings are happening in America. We agree that these things need to be stopped and that something needs to be done. On this I find we all agree.
We are generally opposed to most of the proposed solutions put forth like magazine limitations and universal background checks. Our reasons abound but in short we don't think they will stop or limit the shootings and we don't think they address the real problem to begin with.
So next time you get into one of “those conversations” try to remind the person that while we may not agree on the solution, we do recognize that there is a problem and we are just as passionate about trying to address it as they are.