Firearms Expert Calls for Emotional Appeal in Second Amendment Debate
A renowned firearms expert believes that gun control activists have long dominated the emotional aspect of their campaign against the Second Amendment. Massad Ayoob, speaking at the 38th Annual Gun Rights Policy Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sept. 23, emphasized the need for pro-gun advocates to also tap into the power of emotions.
“Our side has relied on logic and the application of law to make our case. Meanwhile, the opposition has often won through emotional appeals,” Ayoob stated.
Ayoob, a firearms writer, trainer, and self-defense expert with over 50 years of experience, acknowledged the tragic loss of life caused by firearms each year. However, he argued that gun control activists often overlook the millions of lives saved by guns.
People practice shooting a gun during a Defensive Pistol Class at Burro Canyon Shooting Park in Azusa, Calif., on Feb. 12, 2023. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
The 2021 National Firearms Survey conducted by Georgetown University (pdf) revealed an estimated 1.67 million instances of individuals using firearms for self-defense or defense of others.
According to the survey, approximately 25 percent of these incidents occurred within the gun owner’s home, while 53 percent took place on their property but outside the home. Around 9.1 percent of defensive gun uses occurred in public, and 4.8 percent happened at work.
The study also revealed that in the majority of defensive gun uses, 81.9 percent, no shots were fired.
Ayoob argued that gun control advocates deliberately ignore or downplay the narrative of the “good guy with a gun” by only considering defense situations where shots are fired. This allows them to claim that guns are not frequently used to save lives.
“The other side thrives on the tragedy of victims,” Ayoob remarked.
Relatives of victims of gun violence and gun violence prevention advocates at a press conference to honor the second anniversary of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Dec. 10, 2014. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
Ayoob pointed out that gun control advocates exploit the media’s focus on tragic events. From the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting to other high-profile incidents, the media often highlights the perpetrators and their victims.
He specifically mentioned the coverage of the Columbine High School shooting, where the faces of the killers appeared on the covers of Time and Newsweek.
A sign stands near the site of the December 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, on March 14, 2018. (John Moore/Getty Images)
Ayoob highlighted a comparison between the Sandy Hook shooting and a thwarted mass killing at a church in Colorado.
On Dec. 14, 2012, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooter encountered Principal Dawn Hochsprung and school psychologist Mary Sherlach as he entered the building. The women bravely tried to stop him but became his second and third victims. By the time the shooter took his own life less than five minutes later, he had fired 154 rounds and claimed the lives of 26 people.
A similar incident occurred on Dec. 9, 2007, at New Life Church in Colorado Springs. A gunman had already killed two people the night before and intended to cause more harm. After shooting four individuals in the parking lot, he entered the church foyer and wounded another person. However, volunteer security guard Jeanne Assam confronted him with her hands raised and a 9 mm handgun. Assam successfully stopped the shooter, preventing further casualties.
Killer Stopped by Handgun
Ayoob lamented the fact that Sandy Hook has become synonymous with the gun control debate, while the heroic actions at New Life Church have been largely forgotten.
He argued that the discussion on gun control primarily revolves around crime, resulting in a significant undercounting of defensive gun uses. Cases where no shots are fired or incidents that go unreported by the intended victims are often disregarded.
Ayoob also expanded the definition of defensive gun use to include instances where firearms are used to protect against predators or threats to livestock.
“If you’ve ever shot a venomous snake to protect yourself or your children, you’ve engaged in defensive gun use,” he stated.
He urged Second Amendment advocates to highlight the lives saved by firearms. Ayoob emphasized the need for pro-gun supporters to establish their own effective media platform to counter the prevailing narrative.
“While they accuse us of being bloodthirsty, they focus solely on death. We must show the faces of the survivors,” Ayoob concluded.
How can pro-gun advocates effectively convey emotional narratives to counter the dominant emotional appeals of gun control activists?
Se Training Course in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Matthew Pearce/Getty Images)
“We cannot ignore the reality that guns have been used to defend innocent lives and prevent crimes,” Ayoob emphasized. “The emotional impact of stories where individuals successfully protect themselves and their loved ones should not be underestimated.”
According to Ayoob, pro-gun advocates must learn how to effectively convey these emotional narratives in order to counter the dominant emotional appeals of gun control activists. This requires a shift from pure logic and law-focused arguments to strategies that evoke empathy, compassion, and a sense of personal security.
“We need to tell the stories of the single mother who stops an intruder breaking into her home, or the store owner who uses a gun to deter a potential robber,” Ayoob explained. “These stories humanize gun ownership, and they show that responsible individuals can use firearms for protection without causing harm to innocent people.”
By leveraging emotions, pro-gun advocates can connect with a wider audience and shift the narrative around the Second Amendment. Ayoob believes that the media also plays a crucial role in this regard.
“The media tends to highlight tragedies involving firearms, painting them as examples of gun violence. While it is important to address these issues, it is equally important to share stories of individuals who save lives and prevent crimes with their lawful use of firearms,” Ayoob expressed.
Changing the narrative on gun ownership requires a multifaceted approach that combines rational arguments with emotional narratives. Ayoob stresses the importance of grounding emotions in facts and statistics, highlighting the positive impact of responsible gun ownership.
“We need to educate the public about the true nature of firearms and the role they play in society,” Ayoob stated. “By presenting the evidence and personal stories, we can counter the emotional appeals of gun control activists and bring forth a more balanced and informed conversation about the Second Amendment.”
The challenge lies in effectively communicating these emotional narratives to counter the prevailing narrative pushed by gun control activists. Ayoob urges pro-gun advocates to refine their storytelling skills and leverage various platforms to reach a broader audience.
“Utilizing social media, op-eds, and grassroots campaigning can help us disseminate these stories and expand the understanding of responsible gun ownership,” Ayoob remarked.
As the debate around the Second Amendment continues, the call for emotional appeal in addition to logical arguments becomes increasingly relevant. Massad Ayoob believes that pro-gun advocates must harness the power of emotions to counter the prevailing narrative and advocate for responsible gun ownership.
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