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Catch More Flies With Honey PDF Print E-mail
Written by Daniel White   
Wednesday, 31 January 2007

In July of 2006, Kansas citizens were able to apply for concealed handgun licenses after that state joined the vast majority of states with concealed carry laws. On January 2, 2007, the first licenses began to be issued.

Like in Ohio, some cities tried to place additional restrictions on where a person would be permitted to carry a firearm for personal protection. After hearing from constituents, two council members in the city of Hutchinson have reversed their intention to take that action.
"The state put together a pretty good law and we ought to try it," [Councilman Ron] Sellers said. "The police chief had no problem with the way it was written. ... People that called me were very polite and very knowledgeable. I think we jumped the gun a little bit."

Polite and knowledgeable.

Many of us here at Ohioans For Concealed Carry are often asked for help with writing letters to politicians (asking them to oppose gun control) and businesses (asking to remove "no guns" signs). The most consistent piece of advice we give is to be polite.

Whether writing a letter, making a phone call, or speaking in person, you are much more likely to get your point across and effect change if you maintain your composure and convey your message in a positive manner. If a person is dead set against listening to reason, raising your voice or becoming belligerent isn't going to change their mind. In fact, you will likely only reinforce their already negative opinions.

Councilman Brad Dillon, who also changed his stance, had this to say:
[He had] "a lot of second thoughts" about the ban Tuesday, noting when people called him in opposition to the law, "I can't explain why I did it."

"I don't like concealed carry," Dillon said. "But I've read a lot of letters and feel they make better arguments. I'd like to revisit the issue."

Would either of these men have been open to changing their viewpoint if instead of hearing from reasonable and articulate constituents they had instead been berated and verbally abused for initially supporting the restrictions?

I would ask that all pro-gun supporters remember this example the next time they take pen to paper, sit in front of a keyboard, pick up the telephone, or ask to see the manager. The truth is, pro-gun arguments are much more logical and rational than the opposition. We can't afford to let that message be lost due to poor delivery.