Okay, since in your opinion the truth is inappropriate in this case. And since you would "Hold on to the truth" and say something else. Why don't you enlighten us with your words of wisdom that would blow everyone away and be politically correct and yet not make yourself look like an idiot? So far all you have done is condemn those of us who would tell the truth. But you have not said what you think is appropriate. I am very curious as to what you think is the right thing to say?
in this case, i'd talk about looking at the problems the US has with treating mental illness. take guns out of the equation entirely. dont treat it as a gun issue, and look at the fact that we had a disturbed 20 year old who clearly wasnt getting proper treatment for his mental illness.
or say nothing.
anything but suggesting more guns is the answer, because anytime that comes up, pretty much every single person who favors gun control starts rolling in laughter and immediately writes you off.
take a look at he comments on the news stories. just an hour after the news came out, the comments sections were flooded with people derisively saying "i cant wait for the NRA to chime in. let me guess, IF only the teachers were packing, this wouldnt have happened. lol, NRA is stupid"
it doesnt matter if its right or not, if the people you're arguing against already know the argument, and have already written it off before you even open your mouth. think with your head, not with your heart. if you cant wrap your head around that, you're going to continue to be frustrated you keep getting the same responses out of the gun control crowd, while you keep sitting there wondering why no one gets it.
you have to understand, you're arguing against people who dont like you and are deeply biased against your views. not only that, people who are still emotionally compromised by the event. this isnt an even debate, and you cant win just by telling the truth. you're a black man in the jim crow south facing an all white, racist jury who's just framed you for a murder. the truth doesnt matter as much as it should, you have to be smarter than that.