Differences in opinion is always a tough one? What was your aim here? To convert them towards your way of thinking? Because that never works. I've never had a bad interaction with you nor bell curve, however I also don't engage in topics that could blow up. Building good relationships can be a very long and difficult process. I wouldn't take it personally, however I would refrain from being the one to call someone an asshole, despite being antagonised it then doesn't paint you in a good light.

I had a conversation with some users (I don't remember the post) about gun control. They had a difference of opinion to mine, however when they became degrading and insulting in their comments I simply told them we were here to discuss a topic not insult each other and that I expected them to keep it that way and show some decorum.

As hard as it is when you're talking about a topic you're very passionate about try not to devolve a discussing into a shit slinging match, keep your head and walk away if you need to. Debates are displays of information and facts, facts don't care who's presenting them. Spiralling into an insults match doesn't do you justice. I can see you became aggravated and that's fine, the real skill in a debate is not to let your opponent under your skin, that way you can think the clearest and ensure all of your points and counterpoints are water tight.

Don't beat yourself up over it either, you did what you could with the skills you had available to you at the time. That's all you can ever do. (Anger takes half of them away and leaves you playing chequers whilst your opponent is playing chess).

Hope this has been helpful.