Observations on the nature of the debate on gun control.

[Neon Gods]

6. Religion. Dogma?

As someone who has worked for gun control for 40 years (since '74), my experience is that the true believers in the gun rights movement are just as closed-minded as you describe us.

The true believers I've had contact with see gun ownership as not just a civil right but as a god-given human right that no one can touch or infringe. There is no way to discuss or argue with them. I can think of only maybe 5 gun owners (out of hundreds) who have treated my opinions with any respect. Also, I can't tell you how many times I've had thoroughly debunked "facts" continue to be thrown at me (like the 2 million plus defensive gun uses each year), and I've NEVER had a true believer go, "Oh, I didn't know that fact was a hoax."

From my point of view, gun control advocates are willing to compromise (we'd rather not, but we'd prefer to have some improvements than the status quo). Gun owners on the other hand reject every suggestion as either stupid, unworkable, or (usually) unconstitutional.

Also, the reason why there are no gun-control forums? Because every one I've ever joined gets swamped by hundreds of gun nuts throwing around lies and stupid facts taken out of context. Don't believe me? Check with some of the gun control groups that have Facebook pages and ask them for a file of the vile, vicious posts and threats they get almost daily. No, my friend, don't go getting holier-than-thou on gun control people. I don't know how it is here in DU, but those who support gun control here feel this is a safe haven from the gun nuts and are understandably loathe to be attacked and battered here.