we should be courteous to each other and we should respect each other and try not to offend each other.
We should.
But, we won't. Because we are human. And "gun owners" are not a homogenous group. In fact the only thing common is that we own a gun. There are gun owners in every part of the political spectrum. And there are reasonable people and zealots in every part, as well.
Don't confuse gun owners with gun rights supporters, either. Some are the elitist, "gun for me, none for thee" types. OR, "my gun is ok, yours should be banned".
I know one lady, a staunch defender of the right to keep and bear arms, but doesn't think "everyone" should be able to have a machinegun.
This is another part of the issue, "everyone" simply isn't going to be safe with firearms. "Everyone" isn't safe with matches...
There are roughly two opposing camps, one is, that since we have a fundamental right, everyone has that right, UNTIL they do something that causes the right to be revoked/suspended. However, since the something that gets the right revoked involves some degree of harm to someone, there is damage done.
The other camp is essentially, that since harm COULD be done, "Everyone" needs to be restricted, to some degree (up to complete prohibition, for some people).
It boils down to trust. One side is "we trust you not to screw up, and if you do, we will punish you" and the other is "we don't trust you at all, so we're not going to give you the chance to screw up".
Or, another way to look at it is, "we believe you are adults, capable of making your own decisions, and responsible for the consequences" and the other is "you are irresponsible children, we know better, and you are only allowed to do what we agree you can do".
Or something like that...
yes, we should all work together against those who want no guns for anyone (possible exception for police & military) but we are individuals, some of whom are only concerned with their individual thing, and who don't care about what doesn't intrude in their personal life, today.
I suggest we all reflect on the words of Martin Niemoeller...