The Case For Guns: Introduction

Originally Written: January 25, 2021 | Revised and Updated: July 1, 2025

When I started Blue Coat Arms Company, my mission was straightforward: restore historical firearms, repair and create modern weapons, and share my passion with an industry full of like-minded craftsmen. What I didn't anticipate was that receiving my Federal Firearms License would thrust me into daily political battles – not just defending my livelihood and industry, but my fundamental principles as well.

Four years later, that reality hasn't changed. If anything, it's intensified.

Why This Series Matters More Than Ever

The Case for Guns serves as a bridge for meaningful discussion about the Second Amendment and our firearms community. My goal is to help those who share my convictions feel less isolated in this fight, while educating anyone genuinely interested in understanding our perspective. Most importantly, I aim to cut through the smoke and mirrors deployed by all sides of this debate.

The biggest obstacle to honest Second Amendment discussion remains the toxic influence of identity politics. We're being pushed into rigid ideological boxes: Republican vs. Democrat, Rural vs. Urban, Conservative vs. Progressive. Neither side admits fault, and neither forgives the other's shortcomings.

I'm as guilty as anyone of falling into this trap. It's easier to say "the other side" or "they" when discussing opposing viewpoints. But maybe we need better ways to communicate – because the alternative is the conversation ending entirely.

Finding Common Ground in Uncommon Times

Here's something I believe we can all agree on: when it comes to mass violence, we're all horrified. Democrat or Republican, Conservative or Liberal – we all want these tragedies to stop. We're all searching for answers.

Some focus on magazine capacity and firearm types because these are tangible things that feel controllable. But as we've seen repeatedly, restricting tools doesn't address the root cause. What people really want is to ban violence itself – but violence is part of the human condition and always will be.

Recent data from 2024 shows some encouraging trends: overall gun violence deaths decreased by 9% to 40,886, according to Omnilert's annual report. However, mass shootings remain a persistent problem, with over 488 incidents recorded by the Gun Violence Archive.

Here's a perspective that might challenge conventional thinking: As naturalist Bill Whittle observed, "Not one person would watch a lion run down a gazelle and deny the gazelle its antlers and hooves to defend itself, but there are people in this country willing to deny that right of self-defense to other human beings."

The Communication Crisis

We've lost the ability to disagree respectfully. There was a time when Americans could hold opposing views and still respect each other as people. Now, disagreement equals demonization. People seek only information that confirms their existing beliefs, creating echo chambers that prevent genuine understanding.

This isn't just a gun issue – it's a systemic problem in our political discourse. But firearms discussions suffer particularly from this breakdown because emotions run so high.

The social media age has made this worse. Young adults have never developed face-to-face debate skills. In the past, if you wanted to challenge someone's position, you had to do it in person, take turns addressing each other's arguments, and let the best facts win. Today, when someone loses a social media debate, they often delete the thread, erasing any opportunity for others to learn from the exchange.

The Knowledge Gap

Here's an uncomfortable truth I've learned from countless conversations: those who advocate most loudly for gun control often know the least about firearms. Many have never fired a gun, purchased one, or even seen one in person – yet they're certain about what should be banned and why.

This isn't unique to guns, but it's particularly problematic when crafting policy that affects constitutional rights.

What gets many pro-gun advocates in trouble is our impatience with this ignorance. I understand the frustration of wading through misinformation, but the few times I've stuck it out to genuinely educate someone, it's been worthwhile. They might not buy a gun the next day, but they gain a clearer understanding of current laws and why the Second Amendment matters to people like me.

The Political Reality

Politicians remain the driving force behind our "Us vs. Them" culture. They've discovered that division is profitable – both politically and financially. Labels force stereotypical thinking, cornering people into supporting positions they might not fully embrace.

Politicians also need to learn that passing legislation based on emotional response rather than research and strategic planning is counterproductive. Simply doing "something" to feel better isn't governance – it's theater.

Take gun-free zones as an example. Recent research from UC Davis and the Rockefeller Institute suggests these zones may actually reduce mass shooting risks by 62.5%, contradicting earlier claims. However, the effectiveness debate continues, with different studies reaching different conclusions depending on methodology and definitions used.

This is exactly why we need better data and honest discussion rather than emotional legislation.

The Path Forward

In this series, we'll examine different aspects of the gun debate with updated information, current statistics, and evolving perspectives. My goal is for readers on all sides to learn something new. The only way to move forward is through genuine, meaningful conversation – which requires all parties to have accurate, complete information.

I'll provide that information from the perspective of a small firearms business in the Midwest, someone who lives this reality daily. I'll share what I've learned from four additional years of conversations, policy changes, and industry evolution since this series began.

What's Changed Since 2021

The landscape has shifted significantly:

• Data and Research: We have better research on gun violence prevention, including studies on gun-free zones, red flag laws, and community intervention programs

• Technology: Smart gun technology, improved background check systems, and better data sharing between agencies

• Public Opinion: Polling shows more nuanced views than the binary positions often portrayed in media

• Policy Experiments: Various states have implemented different approaches, giving us real-world data on effectiveness

Moving Forward Together

Whether you're a lifelong gun owner or someone who's never touched a firearm, whether you see guns as tools of freedom or instruments of violence, I invite you to join this conversation. Bring your questions, your concerns, and your experiences.

The stakes are too high – both for public safety and constitutional rights – to let this discussion be dominated by extremes on either side. We need the reasonable voices in the middle, the people willing to listen and learn.

No matter your era, we got your six – and that includes having your back in honest, respectful dialogue about one of America's most important debates.