"I’m not anti-gun, I’m pro-kindergartner" [View all]

[babylonsister]

12 rational responses to irrational gun arguments
With the gun control debate hitting a fever pitch, a handy how-to guide for dealing with gun rights extremists
By Richard (RJ) Eskow, Alternet

This article originally appeared on AlterNet.

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Now that President Obama has made his initial gun control proposals, the crazy’s being ratcheted up to a new level. Rational Americans in all walks of life will be confronted with these kinds of arguments. We’re going to need a playbook. Here are 12 responses you can use when you’re confronted with some of the standard illogical, irrational and emotionally overheated statements that gun extremists use.

1. I’m not anti-gun, I’m pro-kindergartner.

After Newtown, what person in his right mind thinks it’s irrational to propose some common-sense measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future?

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3. If dead children are a “distraction,” what subjects are important enough to be worthy of your attention?

As Media Matters reports, an increasing number of gun-extremist righties have suggested that attempts to prevent more deaths, including the deaths of young people at Newtown, Aurora, Columbine and elsewhere, are really just a “distraction” from more important matters.

Try convincing the parents of dead kids that their personal tragedies aren’t important. And if dead kindergartners don’t deserve your attention, what does?

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http://www.salon.com/2013/01/25/12_rational_responses_to_irrational_gun_arguments/