Quote:
Originally Posted by Philadelphia
Lawful guns, good. Unlawful guns, bad.
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this isn't directed at you philly, but i think it is something we all, as pro-gun people, need to start trying to do.
there is no such thing as an "unlawful gun". there are lawfully *possessed* guns and unlawfully *possessed* guns. the possessed part is very important...it puts the focus on the person possessing the gun instead of on the gun.
i think we all should make a point of always using phraseology that correctly puts the focus on the criminal rather than the tool.
the anti-gunners are very good at framing the issue to make it look like the problem is guns themselves rather than the illegal possession and use of guns. we need to frame the issues correctly.
in the political world today, it is often the side that succeeds in framing the issue...and defining the terms...their way that wins. it is unfortunate, but being right or wrong is not as much of a factor in turning public opinion as framing. the antis know this and intentionally use it to their advantage by talking about "illegal guns", "assault weapons", etc.
if you look around the internet, you will find quotes and memos from big players in the anti-gun movement specifically outlining how they try to use framing to sway public opinion.
we need to counter that by doing everything we can to frame the issues correctly (i.e., as a criminal problem, not a gun problem). it prolly doesn't matter much what we say here on this forum, but if we can get ourselves into the habit of correctly framing the issues here, then we will also do so when we talk to other people, write our representatives, write the media, etc.
in fact, i think instead of calling myself pro-gun, i'm going to start calling myself pro-self-defense.