Story by Casey Lee

What 'not' to say to a legal gun owner

Conversations around gun ownership in the United States can be as volatile as a powder keg, and it's easy to light the fuse with a single misguided comment. If you aim for a respectful dialogue instead of a verbal shootout, here's a list of phrases best avoided. Loaded with insights, this guide may just prevent your next discussion on gun rights from going off half-cocked.

1. 'Why do you need a gun?'

Imagine asking someone, "Why do you need freedom of speech?" Owning a gun in the United States is a constitutional right, not a "need." People have various reasons for owning firearms, from self-defense to hunting and sport shooting. Questioning the "need" implies you know better than they do when it comes to their personal choices or safety concerns. A tad condescending, don't you think?

2. 'You must be paranoid.'

Paranoia? Really? Owning a gun doesn't mean someone is donning a tinfoil hat and waiting for the sky to fall. For many, it's about personal safety, the safety of loved ones, or even the enjoyment of shooting as a sport. Labeling someone as paranoid for exercising a constitutional right is a bit of a stretch.

3. 'Guns are the problem.'

Ah, the reductionist argument that blames an inanimate object for the complexities of human behavior and societal issues. Gun violence is a serious matter but boiling it down to "guns are the problem" ignores the multifaceted factors like mental health, socio-economic conditions, and more. It's not as black and white as some would like to believe.

4. 'Gun-free zones work.'

Cute idea, except for the pesky detail that many public shootings occur in designated gun-free zones. The concept ignores the fact that those bent on doing harm are not likely to be deterred by a sign on the door.

5. 'The Second Amendment is outdated.'

The notion that any part of the Constitution is "outdated" opens a can of worms. Are other rights outdated too? The Second Amendment exists for multiple reasons, and its modern applicability is still a topic of fervent debate. Dismissing it as "outdated" is dismissive of that ongoing conversation.

6. 'You're compensating for something.'

Oh, the classic Freudian jab. This cliché suggests that owning a gun is a form of overcompensation for personal inadequacies. It's a cheap shot (pun intended) that does nothing to further a constructive conversation about gun ownership or gun control.

7. 'You must be a Republican.'

Ah, yes, because only Republicans appreciate constitutional rights? Gun ownership exists across the political spectrum, and assuming otherwise only serves to perpetuate divisions and stereotypes.

8. 'Only the police should have guns.'

Entrusting an entire society's safety solely to the police assumes an infallibility that no institution possesses. It also ignores the importance some place on personal freedom and self-defense.

9. 'It's too easy to get a gun.'

Before making this sweeping statement, perhaps consider the background checks, waiting periods, and federal and state laws that exist. "Easy" is a relative term and assumes that current laws aren't stringent or effective.

10. 'Assault weapon bans work.'

Defining "assault weapon" is notoriously tricky, and evidence on the effectiveness of bans is mixed. Saying they "work" is a one-size-fits-all statement that ignores the complexities of the issue.

11. 'Only criminals have guns.'

If this were true, we'd have a country full of criminals. Millions of law-abiding Americans own guns for a variety of legitimate purposes. Conflating legal gun ownership with criminal activity is not just inaccurate; it's disrespectful to a large part of the population.

12. 'You shouldn't have a gun if you have kids.'

This one assumes that gun owners are inherently irresponsible when it comes to storage and safety. Many gun owners who are parents take extra precautions to ensure their firearms are stored safely, away from their children. Just like you'd childproof your home for other hazards, the same goes for firearms.

13. 'You must be a gun nut.'

For some reason, an interest in firearms gets stigmatized as an obsession or a sign of paranoia. Let's remember that owning a gun doesn't necessarily make someone a "gun nut" any more than owning a car makes someone a "car nut." People own guns for various reasons: sport, hunting, and self-defense, among others. Labeling someone as a "gun nut" simply for owning a gun is a dismissive way to avoid more nuanced conversations about individual rights and responsibilities.

14. 'Guns kill people.'

This is the "IT argument" that gets rolled out in every gun debate. While it's true that firearms can be used to harm others, placing the blame solely on the inanimate object oversimplifies a complex issue. Most legal gun owners would point out that a gun, like a car or a knife, is a tool; it requires a human to operate it. They argue that the focus should be on responsible ownership and usage, rather than demonizing the object itself. This phrase can shut down meaningful dialogue about issues like gun safety, mental health, and responsible ownership.

15. 'You're part of the problem.'

The ol' blame game—a classic! By declaring a legal gun owner as "part of the problem," you're not just tossing a Molotov cocktail into a nuanced debate; you're also casually ignoring the fact that many gun owners are fervent advocates for responsible gun use and safety measures. Way to lump everyone together! This kind of accusatory tone isn't just an over-simplification; it's a conversation ender. If the goal is to alienate someone rather than discuss the complexities of gun ownership and societal issues, then bravo, mission accomplished!

Question 1- If you owned a dog, and that dog bit bit your staff/subordinates, how long would you continue to tolerate that behavior before 1) getting the dog retrained, or 2) removing him from the premises? Would you wait until the 24th such episode?

Question 2- What does that suggest to you about A) the attitude of the owner toward his staff/subordinates, and B) the way the dog was raised/treated that created this behavior in the first place?

https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/21/politics/commander-biden-secret-service-bites-white-house/index.html