Yes, There Are Gun Laws We’d Support, Says Popular 2A Advocates

During a recent episode of Gun Owners Radio, host Michael Schwartz, along with co-hosts Alisha Curtin and Dakota Adelphia, tackled a question that came from a left-leaning friend: Are there any laws you would support that could reduce gun violence? At first glance, many assume that Second Amendment advocates reject all new gun laws outright. But the conversation revealed something different—while the hosts strongly oppose restrictions that target law-abiding citizens, they also pointed to several types of laws and cultural approaches they believe could make a real difference.

Michael Schwartz: Shall-Issue CCWs Save Lives

Michael Schwartz opened the discussion by saying that he absolutely supports shall-issue concealed carry permit (CCW) laws. He pointed to the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision, which clarified that citizens have the right to carry firearms in public for self-defense. For Schwartz, the idea is simple: if people have the legal ability to carry the most effective self-defense tool ever invented, they are less likely to become victims. Restricting carry rights, he argued, doesn’t protect the public  – it only leaves criminals armed and innocent people defenseless.

The Problem With Restrictive Laws

Schwartz went further, criticizing laws that villainize those who want to protect themselves and their families. In his words, laws that prevent ordinary people from exercising their right to self-defense don’t make communities safer; they “protect criminals” instead. He emphasized that such restrictions change the culture and narrative around firearms, creating an environment where responsible gun ownership is treated as a threat rather than a safeguard.

Defining Who Should Have Gun Rights

The Gun Owners Radio team made an important distinction. Schwartz explained that they stand for the rights of “sane, trained, law-abiding, and peaceable” people. This, he said, is the baseline for responsible gun ownership. If someone does not fit those categories – if they are unstable, untrained, or criminal – then the Second Amendment should not be a shield for them. This framing, Schwartz suggested, ensures that the focus remains on protecting citizens who use firearms responsibly, while still acknowledging that not everyone qualifies for those protections.

Alisha Curtin: The Power of Early Education

Co-host Alisha Curtin added her perspective, arguing that laws alone aren’t the ultimate solution. Instead, she believes reducing violence begins with changing the mindset. Curtin stressed that exposing children to firearms safely and responsibly at an early age teaches respect and eliminates the “forbidden fruit” effect. When guns are shrouded in secrecy or treated as taboo, children are more likely to seek them out without guidance. In her own family, she said, she started teaching her children gun safety as early as age six, long before curiosity could lead to unsafe choices.

Curtin’s Schoolroom Experience

Curtin also reflected on her time growing up in San Diego, where marksmanship training was once part of the school experience. She remembered practicing rifle shooting in a classroom-turned-range. For her, this early exposure was empowering and educational. Though such programs are long gone, she argued that structured firearm training in schools could reduce fear, eliminate mystery, and instill safe habits in young people.

Dakota Adelphia: Safe Storage Responsibilities

Dakota Adelphia focused on another area where laws could have a positive effect: safe storage. He said that while many so-called “anti-gun” laws are counterproductive, requiring secure storage of firearms in vehicles and homes is reasonable. Adelphia pointed to examples in California, where guns stored in cars must be locked in safes bolted to the vehicle or placed in trunks. The goal, he explained, is to prevent theft – a major source of firearms that end up in criminal hands.

The Debate Over Effectiveness

Still, Adelphia acknowledged the ongoing debate. Do people secure their firearms because of the law, or because of personal responsibility? He argued that many new gun owners have very little knowledge beyond what they hear from the gun store clerk when they buy their first firearm. In those cases, laws that require locks or safes may actually push them toward safer practices. He admitted that even smart, responsible people sometimes make poor choices, leaving guns in glove compartments or under seats where they are easily stolen.

Schwartz’s Preference for Accountability Over Prescription

Michael Schwartz chimed in on this point, saying he doesn’t like laws that micromanage how people must store firearms. Instead, he prefers laws that hold owners accountable if their negligence leads to theft or harm. However, he also acknowledged the problem with this approach: if people fear punishment, they may be less likely to report stolen firearms, which undermines law enforcement’s ability to track and recover them. It’s a difficult balance between encouraging responsibility and avoiding unintended consequences.

Minimum Sentencing for Criminals

Toward the end of the discussion, the hosts raised another proposal: tougher minimum sentences for criminals who use firearms in violent crimes. Adelphia stressed that statistics show violent offenders who use guns are likely to do so again. If laws ensure that these individuals are kept off the streets longer, future crimes could be prevented. Schwartz agreed, noting that laws targeting actual criminals, rather than law-abiding citizens, are far more effective in reducing real-world violence.

A Refreshing Convo

What stands out about this conversation is how different it is from the caricature often painted of gun rights advocates. Far from rejecting every idea out of hand, Schwartz, Curtin, and Adelphia engaged seriously with the question. Their answers reveal a philosophy rooted in personal responsibility, cultural change, and accountability for criminals – not in piling more restrictions onto responsible citizens. It’s a refreshing contrast to the usual political shouting matches where nuance is lost.

A Bigger Cultural Shift

At the end of the day, the Gun Owners Radio team agreed that no single law will “fix” gun violence. Instead, real progress will require cultural change – one that emphasizes education, responsibility, and respect for firearms. Laws can play a role, but only when they reinforce good practices, empower responsible people, and keep criminals in check. In their view, that’s the path toward safety without sacrificing liberty.

Value in Some Laws

The conversation from Schwartz, Curtin, and Adelphia highlights an overlooked truth: pro-Second Amendment advocates are not opposed to all gun laws. They are opposed to laws that strip away rights while doing nothing to stop crime. But when it comes to safe storage, tougher penalties for criminals, and expanding access to concealed carry, they see value. To them, the key question is whether a law targets the problem – criminal misuse – or whether it unfairly burdens those who are already playing by the rules.