I love the 2nd Amendment... but not necessarily its supporters.

Recently I wrote a piece titled “Gun Rights Supporters Are Losing The War on Guns . . . Here’s Why”. It more or less focused on the overall effectiveness of the two movements, but there's one specific point that was vastly overlooked – being good ambassadors.

For the most part I consider gun owners to be well-rounded, even-keeled, and a respectable bunch that keep to themselves... but then there's that vocal group that you really wish would just find a hole and stay in it. Seriously, have you ever read the comments section of an article related to gun control? My forehead is bruised from all the face-palming. It's not just because I'm rolling my eyes at ignorant “full semi-automatic” or “weapons of war” comments coming from the anti-rights crowd, but because I'm ashamed of what the people on my own side are saying. The best analogy I can give for debating gun control advocates while surrounded by some 2A supporters, is it's like taking a girl you eventually want to marry to a family reunion full of drunk, raunchy Uncles. You're trying to make a valid and persuasive point, but instead get drowned out by a carnival sideshow of fist pumping hillbillies.

It doesn't take long before you read tin foil hat conspiracies involving an inevitable violent uprising and revolution in response to an article about Dick Sporting Goods. Or someone being a complete racist by slamming immigrants and a specific ethnicity in an article about student walkouts. You're not convincing anyone of anything. Instead you're feeding the stereotype that we're some kind of looneytoon characters, and giving validity to the argument for the instability of gun owners... you sure showed them, Hoss!

Here's a couple tips...
-Keep the “red meat” canned. Do you know what “red meat” is? It's a bunch of tough guys screaming “not one inch!” or “my cold dead hands!”... It's rousing and fuel for the people that care for it, but offers little substance for anyone that doesn't already belong to your gun club. Taking the opportunity to be persuasive and allow intelligent discord to sway an opinion requires patience and some manners, but it's worth it. 

-We are a nation of immigrants that benefits from our diversity, and don't forget it. Using them as some kind of scapegoat for the war raged against the 2nd Amendment makes you sound like an ignorant old coot, and alienates demographics that should be on our side. Anyone feeling oppressed should easily be convinced of the value of the 2nd Amendment. They all vote Democrat? Maybe it's because their party has been welcoming!

-Your opinion of imminent civil unrest is a fringe conspiracy. This country is far too wealthy and content in most areas to lose their shit over “brick by brick” gun control measures. Stop pushing the theory that we're all a bunch of angry, paranoid, trigger happy gun nuts. We all do have our breaking point, but we're not even close to that yet. While the ability to put the government in check is a corner stone of the 2nd Amendment, it doesn't need to be used as a daily threat to left leaning groups.

-Stop acting like being a veteran some how makes your opinion matter more than the next guys. “Well, I'm an Army veteran and...” Cool story, bro. Thanks for letting me know you were in the branch with the lowest ASVAB requirement. Seriously though, I think a good portion of us are active duty or veterans. That in no way means you're enlightened or somehow more important than the person you're talking to. Stop trying to use your service as a trump card, because all you're doing is embarrassing the rest of us that served with you.

-Childish insults like “snowflake” and trashing millennial's might make you feel better after you've gotten it off your chest, but you just shit all over the rest of us that actually want to win this war being raged against our rights. Acting like a fool will only harden the resolve of someone you've pissed off, and again alienates a demographic that we should be welcoming to our cause.

-Your actions reflect on all of us, so please don't bring us all down with your open carry protests. One thing we can all obviously agree on is how emotions are powerful and persuasive. So how is walking down a sidewalk with your AR-15 over your shoulder like some kind of fashion statement helping? Do you really think a naive suburban family will walk by you thinking “Wow, look at that fine and well-adjusted gentleman!”? The reality is that the only positive reaction you'll garner will be from the most ardent 2A supporters, and the rest will range from simply thinking you're a douche to being completely afraid of you. Great! Now they relate gun owners to that negative emotion they felt from that interaction. Your gun is a tool, not an stylish accessory... so show it appropriate respect, and allow it to be used effectively with an element of surprise by having it properly concealed.

I truly believe the vast majority of gun owners are the reasonable ones in this fight. They've chosen a side based on lessons from history, and can formulate logical arguments in favor of our cause that don't need an emotionally plagued campaign that relies on exploiting vulnerable children to win. Those of you on the sidelines with innovative ideas and points to offer need to speak up. Those of you hurting our cause need to change tactics, or bow out and let the adults do the talking. You may never fully convince someone to be a turncoat and change sides, but we can at least get them to second guess themselves and drop the fight against our rights.