First, you must be educated about firearms laws and uses. Most anti-gun people are totally unfamiliar with the process to purchase, possess or use firearms. They get their information from a biased media, who is gleefully uninformed. Don't guess if you don't know the facts, or you're falling into the same intellectually dishonest mind trap as the anti-gunner you're talking too.
Educate yourself about the criminal use of firearms, and be able to provide good examples of criminal gun use rates in big cities, with high unemployment, serious drug and gang problems. Don't let suicide, 78% of firearm deaths in Washington, be included in gun violence statistics.
Here’s a thought: 75% of firearms deaths are from suicide, that leaves about 10,000 deaths from firearms. The FBI has estimated that 80% of those deaths are gang and drug-related, leaving 2000 firearms deaths. Of those 2000, that includes lawful self-defense, justified police shootings, accidents and finally criminal use. Any death is terrible, but remember that firearms are used to prevent hundreds of thousands of crimes every year, without a shot fired, saving citizens across the country from death or injury. Do we have a gun problem, or do we a suicide and drug problem?
The Justice Department Bureau of Prisons survey of inmates showed that 96% of inmates obtained their firearms illicitly.
Understand and be able to discuss the difference between a civil right and privilege.
Understand that many people have deep seeded beliefs about firearms, or perhaps a terrible experience with them. Respect their "lived" experience, just ask they value your choice to own a firearm without
your rights being infringed. Respect your "lived" experience.
Personally, as the author of this program, I use a firearm everyday to defend myself. That doesn't mean I have EVER drawn it, presented it or discharged it. It's like a lifeboat, a parachute or an insurance policy, I don't need it every moment, but I'm sure happy to have it when the time arises.