Just One Question

I don’t know how I missed such a classic post for so long, but I only recently discovered Joe Huffman’s “Just One Question” post.
Rather than attempt to argue and refute the anti-rights positions (essentially all of them have been argued and refuted numerous times over the years) and fall into the trap where they define the playing field ((This is often the case when arguing with people about so-called “assault weapons” — just using the term means that they’re defining the argument.)), Joe attempts to bring such people into his field, where he asks:

Can you demonstrate one time or place, throughout all history, where the average person was made safer by restricting access to handheld weapons?

He notes that this tends to shut down such arguements quite nicely.
I’m going to have to use such a question in the future, as I’ve grown fatigued with debating anti-rights individuals, all of whom trot out the same, tired arguements. Rather, I think I’ll just offer them what I always do: a brief overview of safe gun handling, followed by an all-expenses-paid trip to the local range to try out shooting. It’s a lot more fun, less stressful, and gets me out in the fresh air.