Class of mindless sheep

[Walther P99]

I just started the semester of grad school yesterday and one of the things the prof had us do was "interview" someone else in class and introduce them, in order to get to know everyone (I hate doing things like that...). Anyway, my interviewer asked me my hobbies and I said cars, boating, guns...

When it came to be his turn to intro me... he said my hobbies were cars, boats and guns (with an enphasis on "guns"). His next sentance after saying guns was "I didn't go any further", meaning that it was scary that someone was interested in guns and he didn't ask any further questions. When he said that, the entire class looked back at me and gasped, with the prof saying something to the effect that she'll be careful grading my papers this semester... I was going to say that just because someone owns a gun, it doesn't mean they're a criminal/psycho, but I didn't want to turn the first day of class into a gun debate, especially since I'll have to work with these people (and the prof, of course) throughout the semester.

Now I'll admit that I probably should have left the guns part out of the hobbies, but I'm not going to hide that fact just bacause a bunch of ill-informed cretins will think their stereotypical thoughts about me. If they want to wallow in ignorance, let them.

OK had to vent...

 

[PATH]

I hear you. Excellent handle there by the way!

 

[thumbtack]

I am glad to hear that you listed guns as a hobby. I don't hide that fact that I'm into guns.

 

[ENC]

I'm sorry to hear that especially coming from TX.

I have been in some similar type classes.

The best though was last semester in my constitutional law class the adjunct professer who used to be a defense attorney (sp?) told us we would not be having class on certain days because of a hunting trip.

My Ethics and Testimony class tonight (first night) was cancelled because the teacher was tied up at a murder trial. Gonna be a fun semester

 

[geekWithA.45]

We can't let ourselves be stuffed into the closet

because it's too easy to demonize what people don't know.

When they know you to be a perfectly reasonable, decent human being, who happens to have a gun, most people will stop and think about that.

It changes minds, everyday.

 

[blades67]

We did the same thing in a couple of my classes. I just state that I'm into "Ballistic Conflict Resolution Devices". Twice I've been asked what those were.

I also made an open invitation to all of my classmates to come to the range and shoot for their first time for free. I'll let you know if anyone accepts.

 

[swingset]

I've found the best way to tell someone my interests is to simply say "I collect interesting weaponry". They usually don't envision the hi-cap black gun arsenal when you say that.

Sometimes if they ask for me to eloborate, I say I collect historical military weaponry and accoutrements. It's a more "heady" answer than to say "I'm into guns", which instantly puts their psycho feelers on high beams.

It's true, just spinning my hobby into a more palettable answer for them.

 

[Weimadog]

"with the prof saying something to the effect that she'll be careful grading my papers this semester... "

A good way to deal with comments like that is to laugh at them.
And keep laughing.
And keep laughing.
Laugh some more.
Tell them how very funny they are, and then laugh some more.


A person makes a comment like that to put you on the defensive, and mock you. Throw it back at them. Forced laughter, and lots of it, can make almost any snide comment seem just plain stupid.

I got my employer to stop making negative comments about gun ownership by using this technique.

Weimadog

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

If the class has anything to do with Sociology, Psycology, etc. you might do a paper on bigotry.

 

[larryw]

Now that the class is aware of your hobby, you have the opportunity to shatter the prejudices of the ignorant.

Stand tall!

 

[faustulus]

sounds like the student was joking and I am pretty sure the prof was. I would ease up on the caffeine a bit.

 

[WonderNine]

sounds like the student was joking and I am pretty sure the prof was. I would ease up on the caffeine a bit.

My sentiments exactly

 

[joeislove]

Don't be ashamed to be a "gun nut." Collecting guns is no different from collecting stamps (albeit a little more useful, IMO). Participating in the shooting sports is no different than participating in golf, or tennis (albeit a little more expensive...*sigh*).

The more of us that "come out of the closet" on our hobby, the more people will have to realize that there are a lot of us out there, and very few of us are the marginal psychos or slack-jawed yokels the anti-gun crowd would have them believe. As they get to know you in class, they'll realize you're just a guy. Then they'll realize that you're just a guy that owns guns. Then, maybe they'll put it together and realize that owning guns isn't a psychiatric condition.

Invite folks to come to the range with you for a safety lesson. I've brought several people who were previously on the fence into the light this way. I've even gotten a couple people who were previously terrified of the things to admit that they're just hunks of metal and plastic that can't hurt anyone unless they're used for that purpose.

Stand up, be proud, and say, "I'm a gun owner. I'm not a bad person. I'm not going away. Get used to it."

 

[TarpleyG]

This doesn't suprise me at all. Even for Texas. I am an undergrad and have noticed that college (ALL colleges) are rampant with uneducated (real world) liberal folks that are always bashing Republicans (esp. Bush) and anything else that is conservative. I have had to make it a point in two different classes in the past two semesters that Republicans are not "evil" money-grubbing warmongers because of comments made by either the instructor or another student. Why should I be insulted because they are ill-informed sheep!!! I just let it fly and tell them how I think the Bush administration is doing an excellent job and how I concur with them about the need for some intervention into the middle east and N. Korea happenings. Needless to say, I haven't made a single friend in a year. I'll be glad when I am finished with my skoolin'.

GT

 

[El Tejon]

A touchy-feely grad skul? Wow, a lot has changed.

[geezer voice on] I remember we had to walk barefoot in the snow to catch the train into the city, uphill both ways.

Laugh it off. I am certain you'll have opportunity to talk to your fellow students during the semester. Take them shooting, especially if they are of the young & nubile persuasion.

 

[Art Eatman]

I've always phrased my hobby interests as including "hunting and fishing and traditional outdoor sports". Guns are just tools in hunting, and many people are far more understanding.

IMO, when one says "Guns", even those not against basic hunting and shooting have (all thanks to the Mediahh) assault weapons pop into their little minds.

Next time you're around non-shooting folks, try a little test: Ask what sort of gun comes to mind when they hear the word, "Gun."

You can then point out--per BATF--that hunting rifles outsell pistols and "black guns" combined, by a ratio of some 3:1.

, Art

 

[XLMiguel]

Gee, it sounds like all those liberal, enlightened, eriudite folks aren't dooing a very good job of celebrating your diversity. I wonder if anyone has considered that guns, and the associated right of self-defense is a civil right? Has anyone asked if they're also afraid of cars, since they kill more people than guns, or why they're afraid of inanimate objects at all?

I realize you can't educate people, only provide the opportunity to learn, so I wonder how these 'educated' folks made it to grad skul ( I miss the 'puking' smiley)

 

[ReadyontheRight]

Kudos to Walther P99 for being honest about your interests and also for laughing off the joke/dig.

You'll probably make some friends and maybe even convert some fence-sitters in class as the self-professed "weapons enthusiast". If the Prof. and fellow students are too ignorant to at least try to understand your interest in guns, keep to the High Road, laugh it off, but screw 'em.

What kind of class is it?

 

[Bainx]

Good going P99.

Heck, I always bring a gun magazine of some sort to the doctors/dentist office to read in the waiting room. I intentionally hold it up while reading to let the sheeple see it.
You never know, it may spark a question which could lead to a discussion which could lead to a conversion of an anti.

 

[mpthole]

When people make comments like that to me, I like to get right back at them. Usually by saying something along the lines of, "Well, one of my favorite things about shooting is long-distance stuff, 1,000 yards or more. So if I'm ever that mad at you, don't run because you'll only die tired. " Of course I always say it in a joking manner.

 

[10-Ring]

I grew up in Northern California & did the same thing when I started college. Being a "gun nut" has its advantages. By the end of class I had made plans to go shooting w/ 1/3 of the girls

 

[bogie]

I _NEVER_ threaten folks.

In fact, when someone says something like that, I generally tell them that I'm very offended and insulted by the remark, and that I'm a very peaceful person, and wouldn't harm a flea, unless, of course, it was chewing on me...

If they go off on the guns/peaceful bit, I explain to 'em that it is a LOT easier to be peaceful if you have a reliable way of ensuring that people act in a peaceful manner toward you...

 

[Azrael256]

This is why I love my university. My friends include a gay vocal performance major, a script writing major from D.C., a (Methodist) youth ministry major, and a criminal justice major (who looks oddly like Kevin Smith. It's really eerie). The nice thing about them is that they all break the stereotypes of their profession/persuasion. Our favorite activity includes a whole ton of clays and shells and a three-day weekend.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

I agree that the people in this situation may be joking, but jokes reenforce concepts. Like jokes about Black negative attributes. I think the Poles are the only ones who do not actually get treated per the Polish joke stereotypes--dumb Pollack jokes.

Usually I avoid any sort of negative commentary or anything that would reenforce stereotypes, but one day I slipped up when a friend (who turns out to be a screaming Liberal) noted the NRA sticker on my car and made the comment "Oh, oh. Watch out he belongs to the NRA" and maybe something to the effect that I might shoot someone. My reply was, "Yes, but I haven't met my quota on kids this month" as though I still had a heavy chore ahead of me.

If your classmates show concern about your interest and you are into negative responses try "If you check the stats put out by the Brady group family members and children are the only people in danger, so since you are neither you can feel safe and relax."

 

[bogie]

I'd differ on that - KEEP THE MESSAGE SIMPLE. Don't ask folks to think or understand numbers, sarcasm, etc...

Also consider that folks who many would consider to be "antis" are actually fence sitters. They can lean one way or the other, and if you seem "dangerous" to them, if you make threatening comments, etc., you reinforce the anti message. When someone says something like this, it is an opportunity to educate, and to remind them that they're stereotyping based upon some erroneous assumptions.