masshooter
Moderator
Had a very interesting discussion last night with a rather religious anti. She was absolutely horrified to learn that I was a gun owner, and the conversation almost ended there. I was able to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat (sort of). She was about as anti as you can get, considering guns to be a source of evil, cause of crime, should be restricted, banned, nobody should have them (not even cops!) etc, etc. She wanted to know why you couldn't just take a karate class, carry pepper spray or even a knife for defense? (She couldn't explain how killing someone in self defense with a knife was better than using a gun). This 23 yr old 5'2" woman actually thinks that she can physically defend herself in any situation while unarmed against a 280lb 6'2" felon intent on raping or killing her. 
She believes this because she took a self defense class, and was able to "take down" 6' "bad guys" in the class. Once I explained to her that these "bad guys" had absolutely no intention of hurting her for real, and in fact probably allowing themselves to be taken down, she fell back on the "grace of God will save me". Sheesh!! What about all the other victims??
Before talking to me she basically believed that if you are a gun owner, you are a fanatic, prejudiced, uneducated, violent, red-necked, militia member, racist... etc, etc, the list goes on. I politely asked where she got these ideas from--was she vicitmized?, had she ever studied the facts?, did know any gun owners?, did she watch the evening news?. The answers were "No, no, no and yes". Hmmm... go figure.
All those pejorative opinions. All of us already judged and despised (this from a "Christian" person!!) without even so much as a clue on the entire subject, or a fair say.
This is what we are up against.
Despite the fact that some of these people are absolutely incapable of having or understanding a rational thought, all is not lost.
I explained to her that all the pejorative terms applied to gunowners are done so with prejudice and ignorance, and are a rather severe form of social persecution. Her response:
"This is very true and I have never seen it in this light. My apologies. I know that I have been tainted by mass media and have not given this a considerable amt of thought as to whether or not this is a valid perception. That is food to chew on for awhile. Thanks!!"
Also, regarding guns as evil:
"I have been thinking about that gun thing . . . I know logically that the gun itself is not dangerous, only the person "behind the wheel." I don't know . . . I think that I am heavily influenced by media and the protrayl that the gun itself is "evil" not the person.
So I must deduct this reasoning logically and
thoroughly in order to come to a sound decision on my stance with this issue."
That is about as good a concession as you can get from set-in-stone anti.
Maybe all is not lost!!
She believes this because she took a self defense class, and was able to "take down" 6' "bad guys" in the class. Once I explained to her that these "bad guys" had absolutely no intention of hurting her for real, and in fact probably allowing themselves to be taken down, she fell back on the "grace of God will save me". Sheesh!! What about all the other victims??Before talking to me she basically believed that if you are a gun owner, you are a fanatic, prejudiced, uneducated, violent, red-necked, militia member, racist... etc, etc, the list goes on. I politely asked where she got these ideas from--was she vicitmized?, had she ever studied the facts?, did know any gun owners?, did she watch the evening news?. The answers were "No, no, no and yes". Hmmm... go figure.
All those pejorative opinions. All of us already judged and despised (this from a "Christian" person!!) without even so much as a clue on the entire subject, or a fair say.
This is what we are up against.
Despite the fact that some of these people are absolutely incapable of having or understanding a rational thought, all is not lost.
I explained to her that all the pejorative terms applied to gunowners are done so with prejudice and ignorance, and are a rather severe form of social persecution. Her response:
"This is very true and I have never seen it in this light. My apologies. I know that I have been tainted by mass media and have not given this a considerable amt of thought as to whether or not this is a valid perception. That is food to chew on for awhile. Thanks!!"
Also, regarding guns as evil:
"I have been thinking about that gun thing . . . I know logically that the gun itself is not dangerous, only the person "behind the wheel." I don't know . . . I think that I am heavily influenced by media and the protrayl that the gun itself is "evil" not the person.
So I must deduct this reasoning logically and
thoroughly in order to come to a sound decision on my stance with this issue."
That is about as good a concession as you can get from set-in-stone anti.
Maybe all is not lost!!
. Funny how some people can only see one side of things and not even bother to TRY to understand the other side. I go through this at least twice a week with someone in my family. All we can do is keep educating little by little. You did a good job!