It’s inevitable. While the holiday season has much to make us feel thankful, it also means that we must endure some awkward conversations.
The current political climate is tense, to say the least, and there are going to be stressful conversations with family and friends. Concealed carry has been a much-debated topic in the wake of violent events here and abroad.
In the case of tense discussions with seldom-seen relatives, the point isn’t to “win” and make the other person feel stupid for their view. When you are level-headed and respectful, you’ll do gun owners everywhere a favor.
1) “Try it. You might like it.”
When talking with someone who is against guns, try to remember that odds are good they haven’t ever even touched or fired a gun. We’re naturally afraid of the things we don’t understand, but that’s no reason not to give it a try.
When you suggest that a person try shooting a gun for the first time before forming an opinion, you acknowledge their fears without being accusatory. If the person still can’t stand guns after taking a few shots, then at least they learned something along the way.
2) “Modern handguns and holsters are built for carrying and self-defense.”
If the person you’re talking to across the holiday table is going on about how unsafe firearms are, you can point out that modern handguns and holsters are built with multiple safety features.
If the person carrying concealed has been trained in safe and responsible handling techniques, carrying a gun for protection is incredibly safe.
3) “People who carry concealed are not violent.”
You may find yourself in a conversation with someone who makes the assumption that anyone carrying a gun for protection is a violent person, just waiting for a chance to get into a Wild West shootout.
You can let them know that a concealed handgun is there for the absolute worst situation in which lives are at stake. Let them know that carrying concealed isn’t about being tough or a cool image.
Ask yourself an important question: Do I want more American citizens to carry firearms legally and responsibly? The answer is probably yes, so it’s important to treat these conversations as teaching moments, not hot-headed arguments.
Be kind, confident, and relaxed in your position, and you just may find the person asking to take you out to the firing range sometime.
