How would YOU go about trying to change the publics perception of lawful firearms carry? Specifically...
By assuring the public that lawful concealed carry can and is being accomplished every day by many many good citizens, without incidence. Shall-issue concealed carry has been the law here in WA for many many years, and the safety record among citizens carrying is very very good. I'd speak to the psychology of carrying concealed, and assure people that I know those who carry weapons to take if very seriously and educate them that carrying a weapon actually makes people more risk-aware and risk-avoidant... and that it certainly does not make people trigger happy and eager to jump into an unnecessary conflict.
I'd assure people that the crime-deterrent effect of an armed populace is real. That even if they do not carry themselves, that the idea that some of the people walking out into a dark mall parking lot at night might be armed, has a deterrent effect on those who are looking for easy victims.
And I'd take as many of them shooting as I can. Especially those that are a little squeamish about guns simply because they've never been exposed to them. That's how I've been able to change more than just a few minds. But the public needs to know by our words, and by our example, that we are as serious about public safety as we are about our right to carry. And that's what I always try to get across on threads like this. It'd be nice if I didn't get a bunch of backchatter for it from people like you.