Who has to lose in order for you to win?

Of course, this is a silly question, we live in a world of endless possibilities. The pie doesn’t have to be fixed.

And yet, we play these types of finite games all the time.

The Olympics.

Wars.

Racing someone to get on the freeway.

Hence, the problem with our dialogue surrounding gun control: Someone doesn’t have to lose in order for you to win.

It is possible to be a responsible gun owner and support gun reform.

It is possible to discuss automatic weapons, high-capacity magazines, background check, waiting periods, mental health, effects of media and video games, the Second Amendment, the corruption of the NRA without losing our civility.

This conversation is too important for it to be lost in who wins in the end.