Because the gun debate is one of the most heated, pressing political issues of our time, calm and rational discussions need to happen for us to find common ground on gun rights and gun control. Sadly, too many liberals refuse to partake.

Instead, they continue to be hard-headed and not open for debate. They continue to push for stricter gun control, furthering the divide between gun owners and non-gun owners. One extreme measure of gun control currently sweeping the nation is legislation in support of raising the minimum age to purchase a long gun (for example, a shotgun or rifle) from 18 to 21.

Radical gun control organizations like Moms Demand Action continue to back the notion that disarming schools creates a safer environment. More than 90 percent of public mass shootings, take place in a “gun-free” zone. If Moms Demand Action truly cared about the safety of students, they would prefer well-trained armed teachers, or police officers, to be present at the school.

And to further exemplify the lack of their credibility, Moms Demand Action has joined the “nothingburger” Russian conspiracy.

Another radical gun-grabbing organization is the Brady Campaign. On of its largest projects is “ No Gun Left Behind,” in which the Brady Campaign claims “guns on campus would dramatically increase gun violence risks to college students and trample on academic freedom." However, there have been no negative effects of legal concealed carry on campus by college students. See, for example, campuses in Texas.

A major issue to both Moms Demand Action and the Brady Campaign is to expand background checks. The Brady Campaign claims background checks can keep guns out of the hands of criminals. False.

The Parkland shooter passed a background check. He was on the FBI’s list, and they failed to act. Blame the FBI, not the background check.

The attacker in the Sutherland Springs, Texas, church massacre passed a background check because the military failed to report him as dishonorably discharged. Blame the military, not the background check.

The list goes on.

Extremists like Emma Gonzalez, David Hogg, and Cameron Kasky (who is known for his outrageous, blatant lies), further the divide between Americans by using deceptive marketing tactics, like utilizing the deaths of children to tap into the emotions of Americans and by tweeting fake news. For example, Kasky recently tweeted, “The NRA has evolved into such a hilarious parody of itself," because the NRA supposedly was banning guns at its convention. But the Secret Service forced the NRA to ban guns, because President Trump and Vice President Mike Pence are speaking.

The problem isn't just advocacy groups or ill-informed high school students, it extends to the halls of Congress as well. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., has a radical gun control solution in mind: a mandatory gun buyback program. And if you don't want to sell your rifle to the government? You get arrested.

Pushing and passing radical gun control legislation, publishing deceptions, and constantly assaulting our Second Amendment rights will not solve any problems. Both sides need to come together and work on common ground to reduce violence. But with the mentality and actions of the above groups and people, that will never happen.

Tyler Yzaguirre (@realtyleryz) is the founder and president of the Second Amendment Institute.