How do you break the stereotype of gun owners?

[jlbraun]

I'll start. As my sig says, I'm a Buddhist, a sometime Democrat, in favor of gay marriage and universal preventative healthcare, and have a Master's in electrical engineering and a BS in Western Philosophy.

So, how are you different from the stereotyped image the media and antis have of gun owners? That is, white, uneducated, poor, slob with a Confederate flag in his pickup truck plastered with NASCAR stickers and a bed full of empty beer cans.

(Waits for the first "I'm gay".)

 

[JoeHatley]

how are you different from the stereotyped image the media and antis have of gun owners?

What do you think the stereotype is?

Joe

 

[HardKnox]

We all know the stereotype is an inbred, sister loving, illiterate, drinking whiskey from a "xxx" jug, ugly, wife beating southerner named cleatus, who drives a pickup

I differ from that stereotype b/c I can read and write, and I’m not inbred and I don’t beat my wife and I don’t drink whiskey from jugs, I’m from NY and my name is Leo

Furthering the chasm between that stereotype and me is a pending bachelors degree (maybe further), and the fact that I don’t watch NASCAR

 

[Nil]

I'm a young minority with liberal political views and I live in an urban area in a northern state. I'm also college educated and will be going to graduate school next fall. I'm in shape and I rarely drink. I'm an avid reader, in fact, I've spent more money on books than anything else (yes, even guns). I've also never hunted before.

I actually can't see a single aspect of myself that fits the stereotype.

 

[Vitamin G]

I have a BA in psychology, criminal justice, and archeology.
I have a Master's in counseling. I supervise therapists for my 40/hr.
I work part time as a contract therapist for foster kids on the weekends.
I like cats, not dogs.
I dont hunt.
I'm a huge sci-fi nerd, owning all seasons of star trek TNG, ds9, and babylon 5.
I own Starship Troopers, in book and DVD form.
I'm embarrassed to own Starship Troopers 2, but i end up watching it once a year to remind myself how bad it is.
I like to read for fun.
Probably a good 75% of my friends are extremely similar to me.

Whats the sterotype?

 

[cambeul41]

BA in Political Science with a minor in Bioogical Science; MA in Speech with a minor in philosophy; PhD course work in linguistics completed with minors in education and anthropology.

Non-religious, leaning toward Buddhist philosopy. Politically independent, leaning libertarian conservative.

 

[Outlaws]

The question is why do you feel that is the stereotype?

My idea of a stereotypical gun owner is someone who owns one or two guns (a hunting rifle and/or shotgun, and maybe a pistol), probably white, and spans across all financial backgrounds. They might not like "evil" guns, in fact they don't really like guns at all, but they don't hate them. They just own one or two.

I will just say I fall into the gun nut category. Whatever your stereotype is does not bother me. I may or may not be that, but just remember, some of us might even support a one or more of your views.

 

[Crunker1337]

I'm of Indian decent.
I have many liberal views on politics.
I believe that homosexuals have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness same as other Americans.
I believe in universal health-care.
I don't drink.
I was raised to be Hindu, but now I can say that I pretty much don't follow any religions (though I am theistic).
I believe in conservation.
I believe that global climate change exists.
I don't watch NASCAR, NFL, NHL, or any other sport.
I don't want a pick-up truck or SUV.
I don't believe in trophy hunting.
I believe in foreign aid in almost all cases.
I don't support the Bush Administration 100%.
I don't watch Fox News obsessively.
I often do not dress conservatively.
I like cats.
I don't believe in domestic violence.
I don't believe Americans that are of Arab decent or that practice Islam should be treated differently than other Americans.
I don't believe in profiling based entirely on race.
I think there is some truth to some 9/11 conspiracy theories.
My parents are rather liberal.
My family is upper-middle class.
I watch anime.
I'm a big Star Wars fan.
I'm very literate.
I'm an honors student.
I read for fun when I have time.
I'm a big computer nerd.
My friends are Asian, South American, white and black.
I believe in some degree of amnesty to illegal aliens already in this country.
I'm against a large military precense in Iraq at this point in the game.
I'm against carpet-bombing or other means of warfare designed to target civilians.
I'm against American involvement where it is not wanted by the majority of the population.
I am not inherently opposed to some manifestation of communism by a trustworthy government.

 

[Millwright]

Like most of the propaganda of the Left, their hoplophobic is based upon iconic stereotypes - usually from populal entertainment - intended to elecit an emotional, rather than logical response in the target audience.

Hence, they label someone owning/shooting, say, machine guns as the stereotype when that individual probably spends more on ammunition for his hobby than they do on vacation. And, according to most demographics, the 'gun nuts' give far more to charity, send more packages to our troops and support more activities and participate more in local government than their hoplophobic liberal peers.

IOW, the hoplophobes can't tell the truth because they can't afford to invite that sort of comparison. Can you imagine what the reaction of the general public would be if the MSM ran a one hour special showing civic leaders, businesspersons, military, youth, and women all interacting and competing amicably together ? >MW

 

[single action]

I might fit the stereotype somewhat, I am definately ugly, I wear overalls, I hunt, in fact at least 50% of the meat in my household we either hunt or raise ourselves. However, I dont think I'm illiterate (opinions vary) I'm fairly sure mom and dad werent related, I'm not in love with my sister, (I come from a very ugly family) And whiskey makes me puke. I am not a nascar fan,(watching cars go in a circle for 3 1/2 hours is only slightly less boring than watching paint dry) I dont beat my wife, (she can take me 3 out of 4 falls) and my name isnt cletus. (its bubba! )

 

[Mantua]

I'm white, poor, semi-educated (HS diploma, no college). No rebel flags, and I scrapped the pick-up and got a Honda.

I believed in that stereotype until recently, by the way. Now I know that slightly less than half of gun owners are inbred Nascar fans, and very few of those are on this forum

 

[Joe Demko]

Part of the propoganda is that gun control is a "leftist thing." Gun control is an authoritarian thing.

 

[Prince Yamato]

Let's see, I:

*Am getting my PhD in Classical Vocal Music (Opera and Lieder)
*Drive a compact car
*Wish I had a micro car (like a SMART)
*Love big-city living
*Don't Hunt
*Can't stand "huntin' rifles"
*Want a Pomeranian
*Am Catholic
*Like to read GQ as much as Guns and Ammo
*Have an EXTREME distaste for Mossy Oak and Fanny Packs (see above)
*Speak French fluently and can converse in Italian, German, and very basic Korean

...but I Love My AK-47s

I also think that the stereotype will largely die with the baby boomers. It's kind of hard to be a hick when there's internet and 1000+ television channels.

 

[Nil]

*Want a Pomeranian

I believe this should be added to the NCIS check to prevent clearly insane people like you from owning guns.

 

[elrod]

jlbraun

That is, white, uneducated, poor, slob with a Confederate flag in his pickup plastered with NASCAR stickers and a bed full of empty beer cans.

I do NOT have empty beer cans in my truck!!!!!!

 

[jamz]

I just show off my masters degree in social work from boston university.

 

[Black Adder LXX]

I don't do Nascar.
I have all my teeth.
My wife is not a sister or cousin.
I use multi-syllabic words in every day conversations.
I don't own a dog.
Most of Jeff Foxworthy jokes don't apply to me.
I am a white evangelical Christian with a truck, though...

 

[joab]

We all know the stereotype is an inbred, sister loving, illiterate, drinking whiskey from a "xxx" jug, ugly, wife beating southerner named cleatus, who drives a pickup

I actually have never heard that stereotype applied to gun owners in general,
That usually is the stereotype I gear for hunters

Mostly I hear about gunowners being arrogant, self serving, anti government/cop, conspiracy theorists

 

[Hunter0924]

Well I reckon I am close as I do live in a log cabin, drive a pickup, I am white, love real country music, cold beer, and am a Native Southerner. I am by no means stupid as I have an unlimited plumbing and limited electrical licenses. I also do mechanical work and am a competent reloader and caster. I see no reason for the whole Southern stereotype to even be mentioned. I do have the Stars and Bars in my house but I am not a bigot, just a proud Southern boy.

 

[Autolycus]

Well the stereotype is reinforced by the media all the time. Its the same thing about gangbangers and minorities in general. There really is no stereotype. I think its individuals but hey, thats just me.

I am a student going for my bachelors in Sociology, and then I plan to go for my PhD in sociology as well. I intend to go into law enforcement or become a lawyer (I cant decide which profession is more evil ) and I also plan to open my own business. I am currently writing a book about my own observations of being a young person in a changing society.

My political views are pretty Libertarian leaning and I am very fiscally conservative while extremely socially liberal. As for religion I am agnostic on a good day and an aethist on a bad day.

 

[CannonFodder]

I have a bachleor's in Theatre and French, am working on a master's in English, will be working on a PhD in Theatre in a couple years. I speak English and French and enjoyed living in France and plan to go back. My education defies the stereotype - I graduated Summa Cum Laude, and my GRE scores were... really dang good. I support various G/L/B/T causes, support studio art classes by modeling for them, and also march for free speech - especially speech with which I disagree. I also teach freshman composition in a university, and I mix freely and cordially with folks of multiple points-of-view.

From that description, one would probably not stereotype me as your typical gun nut.

At least until I enter a really good gun shop.

Then, I turn into Burt Gummer.

On the other hand, the fact that you can't hang the stereotype on me has probably been my most effective tool in introducing people to firearms. In fact, this weekend, I'll be taking a woman shooting who has never seen a gun before.

 

[Autolycus]

A good example of many perceptions that I have encountered is the attitude and dress of "Dale Gribble" from the animated tv show "King of the Hill."

 

[RoadkingLarry]

I'm a long haired bearded Harley ridin' biker.
I'm a Veteran and active member of my local VFW post.
I drive a well maintained 10 year old pickup (no flags, confederate or otherwise).
I hunt.
I fish.
Sometimes I wear camo clothing just because thats whats clean.
I quit caring what other people think about me or what I do a long time ago.

(Just kidding but is having a BS in Western Philosophy kind of like having a BS in B.S.??? )

 

[PTK]

I'm quite far from the stereotypical gun owner as imagined by many rather ignorant people.

(Waits for the first "I'm gay".)

Let's see....

Gay
Not religious
I dislike all but very sweet beer, but I love wine
I don't smoke
I tend to dress like I'm headed to a Victorian ball
I got my GED at age 16 (earliest my state allowed it) and scored 98th percentile
Don't watch sports, can't even tell you the rules to any
I drive a Toyota compact car, not a truck
I'm not hugely rich, but certainly not poor
I don't hunt
I love to read
I listen to classical music
I dislike Republicans, Democrats, and Green party folks. If a candidate says "vote for me and I'll leave you alone", they get my vote.

Yeah, how's that for a stereotypical gun owner? We're an incredibly diverse group, as it should be.

 

[308win]

I:
Do watch NASCAR
Do hunt and enjoy it
Do have all my teeth
Do read publications other than gun related
Do believe in profiling based on racial, ethnic, religious and any other characteristic - polictically uncorrect or not - that fits our enemies' characteristics
Do believe in deporting all illegals
Do not beat my wife, children, or dogs
Do not believe the government is necessary in all facets of our lives but does have a place
Do not believe that viagra or its ilk or mood altering drugs should be covered by third party payors