I think the reason that the gun-control crowd has not used rational discussion to further their cause is... because they can't.
Perhaps some of us here were raised in a pro-gun household, but I think for most of us we weren't. Most of us have evolved in our thinking regarding firearms. Personally, I never had an interest in firearms as a child. A firearm was a tool to be used for hunting or, in extreme circumstances, for protection of a home from people who intended to hurt those inside.
Using pure, unemotional logic to consider everything I once believed, I've definately made a change regarding firearms:
I once thought people should have to have a license to own a firearm, thought there should be training, thought that certain people should under no circumstances have a firearm in their possession, ever. But, eventually, all of these emotional suppositions fell under the power of rational consideration. If a person begins to consider all of the presuppositions that one may have regarding firearms, I think that eventually they will fall. Furthermore, I have never had someone with whom I've discussed the issue rationally walk away saying that there should be more laws to further limit firearm possession.
In regards to people who support strict gun laws, since I work in an environment in which I have been exposed to many such individuals, I suggest the following:
- Acknowledge that bad people do bad things with firearms and resolutely denounce those who use firearms inappropriately.
- Inform them that you once also believed "X", much like the person you are talking to.
- avoid 2A cliches
Then, use TIME as your greatest asset. Whenever appropriate, bring the fact that you carry a firearm into otherwise mundane conversations. But, don't do this in a 10 minute diatribe of 2nd Amendment cliches.
Most importantly, show yourself to be a calm, rational person who happens to carry a firearm. I think just the fact that they know you carry, and they consider you friendly will begin to work in your favor. Also, what I always try to show people is something that I have found to be exceedingly true: people who carry TEND to be the calmest, most welcoming people you will ever meet. Having met most of you, I can say without reservation that NO ONE here has ever displayed any tendency to violence... in fact, quite the opposite.
One example:
A new employee this year was assigned to work with me. Some know where I am employed, so you will immediately understand. Seeing a J&G catalog on my desk one day, this employee informs me that she is fervently an anti. I accept that and say that we will have to agree to disagree on the issue. As the year goes on, I interject a little "gun talk" into my conversations... I talk about guns just as I would talk about golf, bowling, etc. I say that I went to the range with my kids, that I went to a gun show, etc. I try to show her that I am just like most people... I just happen to carry a gun.
Little by little she became less hostile to the whole notion that someone would carry a firearm. In fact, when a group of us all went out for drinks in June, upon leaving the establishment she asked if I had my gun with me because we were in a "bad" part of town. I informed her that I had not brought it in with me since I was going to be drinking... and that there was a state law against doing so. She actually said, "That's a stupid law, you only had 2-3 beers over 3 hours. You aren't drunk." I laughed and said, "Wow, a confirmed ANTI stating that a gun law is stupid..." lol.
About 2 days after this, she asked me where she could take an introductory firearm course as she was considering purchasing one for home protection. ChaChing!