ITEMS NEEDED: Large table, printer, paper, trash can.

Sorting through the multitude of gun control memes can be overwhelming. So I suggest culling out the ones that cheat, so that you can focus on the best ones. Here are 13 easy steps to clear the table of all but the best gun control ideas.

1. Print out every meme you’ve seen on gun control, and lay them out on a large table.
2. Then toss out the ones that lie.
3. Then toss out the ones that exaggerate. (Provided you don’t see exaggeration as lying.)
4. Then toss out the ones that omit crucial information, so as to spin the situation into something it is not.
5. Then toss out the ones that make assertions about statistics, but do not give primary sources for those statistics.
6. Then toss out the ones that contradict themselves in fact or principle.
7. Then toss out the ones that play only to the emotions, and disregard rationality.
8. Then toss out the ones that seem to suggest that it’s the guns, and not the people, who are initiating unjust violence.
9. Then toss out the ones that contradict the principles that those who are promoting them are known to champion in other matters—such as the rights of the individual, for example.
10. Then toss out the ones that are written by stockholders in the guns and ammo industry, and are aimed at creating panic buying.
11. Then toss out the ones that are written by the those who want to disarm America so that they can take over our country.
12. Then toss out the ones that pretend that our government is free to legislate whatever it wants, and has no obligation to follow the Constitution.
13. Then toss out the ones that propose to “do something” without soundly analyzing in advance what are all the likely outcomes and consequences—intended or otherwise.

Now, with whatever memes you have left, you can have an honest, rational, and responsible conversation about them.