After every mass shooting in the USA, some journalist or concerned citizen makes a mistake and the gun nuts pounce, using the mistake as an excuse to dismiss all talk of gun control. Here’s an example:
Same old same old. If you don’t know the difference between shotguns and rifles, or think 9mm Rugers look like 9mm Glocks, you’re not qualified to have an opinion on guns and mass shootings, therefore let us shut down all talk of background checks, therefore everyone should carry, therefore good men with guns should go forth and shoot all the bad men with guns, therefore Thunderdome!
I foolishly responded:
Let me expand on my second response, because I think I’m onto something here.
When gun nuts respond to gun control arguments the way my friend did here, with childish non-sequiter so’s-your-old-man “arguments,” I believe what they’re really saying is they know damn well the only thing that’s going to reduce gun deaths in this country is gun control: taking military-style weapons and large clips off the market, imposing strict background checks, registering guns, even intrusive and draconian actions like rounding up military-style weapons that are already out there. We know it … and they know it too. They know gun control works in other countries and they know it’ll work here. That’s why they go into flail mode whenever the subject comes up.
Mind you, I’m not saying sensible adults are going to prevail. This is the USA, after all, and the mouth-breathers aren’t about to give in. But they know. They know what the answer is. They just don’t want to hear it.