I'd like to toss out one more thought for attendees-
There is some, not-too-large chance you might be verbally accosted or challenged by someone convinced that the NRA is evil incarnate.
I'd like to suggest, if I may be so bold, that the responses need to be extraordinarily calm, in the most pleasantly conversational tone possible.
Things that you might care to point out to such a person would include that this particular event is not organized by the NRA, nor does it have an official affiliation.
Then, if by some tiny likelihood you're challenged about specific concepts, such as that handguns are only for killing, that you, the gun owners and rights activists, are responsible for some such bloodshed and crime, and so on, I might suggest you start by calmly, not derisively, telling your challenger that they need to do some more research on the subject, and learn more about it, and, if appropriate, that they've been misinformed.
Should it go to that point, you might then introduce a fact or two, but slowly, patiently, and without rising to any instigation.
I'm not predicting such things, but speaking as a Chicagoan, I am presented with this sort of moment more often that I care to consider. Some dinner events become, indeed, an exercise in tongue-biting, especially here in the northern part of the metro area.
Stay away from being accusatory or hostile; it's the most effective thing we can do, since being calm, thoughtful, and polite destroys the stereotype Hollywood and the New York news brigade has fed the public for decades.
My apologies for the presumptuousness of lecturing my forum-mates.
