The opposite could exactly ask with the same reasoning: "empathy for the families affected by mass shootings while at the same time supporting gun control" - cancelling your line of argument.

Tip: Try a more direct argument that specifically presents the pros of gun rights and the cons of gun control.

It's possible! The purpose of guns should be for self defense, not mass slaughter. I was anti gun but my POV has evolved. I live in the city and do not feel the need to arm, In fact my front gate is wide open and my garage door often is too- if I lived in the country or on a farm, I would probably want to learn to shoot. It's the thing to do of course to support the kids who survived and who are fighting back. I don't think most of then oppose your guns. They just oppose being hunted