Thoughts on being the “Gun Guy”

Our business is quite divided in that the guys who work out in the shop are nearly all Red-leaning, gun-owning, Git-R-Dones while the front of the house, Sales and office types are largely Libs. Interestingly, this played true even between the various races- the hard working Black and Hispanic folks we have are largely gun owners and some are even enthusiasts.

There was a kind of understanding that you didnt want to discuss politics (or guns), in front of anyone who works in the air conditioning, because they might go crying to management that they were offended or felt threatened somehow.

In the last year or so, though, Ive had a number of the white-collars come to me asking for gun advice, sometimes quite sheepishly or in hushed tones. I think they are a little scared of their own co-workers, not realizing that many of them are also considering taking responsibility for their own security. Its quite refreshing.

Ive introduced several co-workers to responsible gun ownership and enjoyed taking them shooting. One or two have even had epiphanies after shooting the evil "assault rifles" for the first time. Familiarity dispels fear, and once they no longer fear the thing, they realize it is just a tool.

I do my best to give them sound counsel, and respect their privacy. I dont mind being the "Gun Guy."

Good. Every law abiding gun owner should be an ambassador for the 2A and the safe ownership of guns. This is the biggest reason in my book.

Liberties not employed and encouraged are easily forfeited; especially in the times we live.

I think it's a pros and cons balance out. It's good to know who you can talk to and not, and that cuts both ways. It shows that ordinary people own guns, and we are not all weird extremists, regardless how we are painted in popular culture.

My hesitancy would be with the red flag legislation and all that, getting on some Karen's list.

Don't ask......don't tell.

I'm in a significantly anti gun state, so broadcasting your a big gun guy is not very smart. Sure, people i know well know I have guns. But I don't go out of my way to interject into conversations I hear others having about guns. More often then not you'll get an anti gun knob get involved and I've seen these conversations dissolve into shouting matches. Luckily there is a very popular gun forum in my region where we can talk guns and meet other like minded folks. We help each other out and you get to know some very good people. Otherwise it's incognito time in the real world.

It depends. Really I think in today's climate @Rembrandt said it best.

Until recently I was a consultant. A couple years ago, a senior coworker on a job was in a client office. The client, a director in a large company, had a web page up for a firearm company on their monitor. The client asked my coworker if he was at all a "gun guy" and he said yes. The client asked a few technical questions. which the coworker was happy to answer. While this was happening, another coworker walked past the open door to this client director's office and overheard a few questions. The discussion wasn't about terrorism, self defense, etc. but more along the lines of "which of these is better for upland game". The second coworker called our HR department and said she "felt threatened". The first coworker , a senior manager with about 20 years in the firm, was gone in about two weeks. For the crime of having a personal conversation with someone else, about guns during downtime but in a work environment.

I worked for that firm for almost 10 years and of the hundreds of people I interacted with, perhaps 2 or 3 knew I was a gun owner or might be able to infer my political leanings.

Prior to that I worked at a big software company with a strict "no guns" policy. For the most part I respected the company's policies and for the most part there was no value in folks knowing my political leanings and/or interest in gun ownership and shooting sports.

On a personal front I am not as much a "gun guy" as either of my brothers, and I suspect would be lucky to merit "average" in skills, knowledge and interest relative to the THR membership. But among my circle of friends I am "the gun guy". There is very little crossover between my personal and professional lives so that is OK. In fact it affords me opportunities to teach several younger people about safety and marksmanship; to dispel some of the anti-gun myths and to help ensure that, for them, gun ownership is a positive experience.

I live in a barely red district of a purple-blue county with a humongous blue city within. I mostly keep my mouth shut in public as my customers are either red or blue and I need to make money off of all of them to make a fair living.

It’s not a big deal here. The ones that know, know, and the ones that don’t, don’t know to ask.

Only family know that I have guns (they do as well), so they know we all like to keep a low profile in that regard. I don't talk about guns at work and I don't say anything about them or my political beliefs with any customers I may interact with. You want conversation from me, okay then lets talk about the weather.

NIGHTLORD40K said:

Red-leaning

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Generational confusion:
Dirty Rotten Commie 8@$7@rd
or
Flyover-Country Conservative / Republican?

Based on my age and background, that phrase led me immediately to the first option.

Craig

I wouldn't say it's "good to be known", but it's a non issue for me. I retired from the army and still work for the army as a civilian. In my organization I'm "one of the gun guys", not "the gun guy".

I've had unit members out to my place to shoot multiple times. My personal policy is I will help, but not do. IE, I've helped guys put AR15s together because I have the tools and we can step out back to test fire, but I won't build a gun for someone. I will assist folks in sighting in before the season because I have a range and I've worked with new shooters for the same reason. Just last week my director asked If I'd reload ammo for people, the reply was "no", but I'll teach you and you can use my equipment. So now he and his boy are coming over to learn how to reload 30-06.

I don't advertise, but I do like to help out when I can.

I'm one of the ones people come to when they want to talk about something I have a great interest in.
I view it as something to be proud of. We shouldn't hide the fact we are exercising a constitutional right.

I have a handgun range on the property. Since I utilize the range, those with in hearing distance would surmise I have firearms. Other than that I don't advertise that fact with NRA stickers on our vehicles. The mailperson would also know, I have an interest in firearms by the periodicals I receive. In addition to that the county Sherriff's Department would also know if one has a NC-CHP. Other than that word gets around.

you pick your audience... like with anything else, sex, politics, hobbies, food, there's a time and a place... I think of it this way, you have a different conversation about women with your buddies than you do with your grandmother .. so, depending on who's there or where you are, some discretion is polite or common courtesy IMHO.

I can't see it as anything but a good thing. This country was founded with a Bill of Rights and the 2nd Amendment is one of them. My family comes from an Eastern European Communist country, and I know the other side. I live in NJ, which is an extremely Anti-2nd Amendment place to live, but I don't care who knows that I support the 2nd Amendment and that I think owning a firearm is a God given right in this country. I've reached the point in my life where I just don't give a crap about what other people think about how I live. They don't work my job for me, they don't pay my taxes, they don't raise my children, and they sure as heck aren't going to tell me how to live. This is what I'm teaching our American born children. Freedom ain't free, and our Bill of Rights may have to be fought for again. That is the spirit of living in the greatest nation on Earth. And I don't have a problem being vocal about it.

This varies wildly (as this thread shows) depending on the region. In my area, people who don't own guns are about as common as people with two heads. That said, I don't go around just listing off what I own to random strangers.

Bfh_auto said:

I'm one of the ones people come to when they want to talk about something I have a great interest in.
I view it as something to be proud of. We shouldn't hide the fact we are exercising a constitutional right.

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Amen!

NuShootr said:

I can't see it as anything but a good thing. This country was founded with a Bill of Rights and the 2nd Amendment is one of them. My family comes from an Eastern European Communist country, and I know the other side. I live in NJ, which is an extremely Anti-2nd Amendment place to live, but I don't care who knows that I support the 2nd Amendment and that I think owning a firearm is a God given right in this country. I've reached the point in my life where I just don't give a crap about what other people think about how I live. They don't work my job for me, they don't pay my taxes, they don't raise my children, and they sure as heck aren't going to tell me how to live. This is what I'm teaching our American born children. Freedom ain't free, and our Bill of Rights may have to be fought for again. That is the spirit of living in the greatest nation on Earth. And I don't have a problem being vocal about it.

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I agree, in principle. Reality doesn't always work out this way, especially in areas where there are extensive infringements, like NJ. If I owned what I own, (which is perfectly normal, legal and very common in my area) in NJ, and was vocal about it, I'd more than likely be in jail, unable to care for my family and without the things I was vocal about. A person must choose their battles.

Red flag law, anyone?

aaronu said:

Red flag law, anyone?

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"My neighbor has guns and I am afraid of him. We argued over parking on the street and he scared me. You should take his guns."

Craig

I live in Wyoming where a popular bumper sticker reads "Welcome to Wyoming. Consider Everyone Armed." That said, I don't have firearms stickers on my vehicles.

I do public access Youtube firearms videos for the local museum, give firearms presentations to service clubs, and teach NRA Basic Pistol Classes so it's not a secret that I'm a gun guy. The advantages are that I have made some good deals on guns because non gun acquaintance know of my interests. Most recent was a 1951 Russian SKS and 1500 rounds of ammunition for $350 because the guy I work out with knew the guy who was selling it.

I can talk to people about all sorts of stuff, I don’t ever lead off with any one topic. However, I also don’t ignore topics I am knowledgeable about, if I am involved in a conversation about it, unless my wife is wanting me to do something.

bearcreek said:

I agree, in principle. Reality doesn't always work out this way, especially in areas where there are extensive infringements, like NJ. If I owned what I own, (which is perfectly normal, legal and very common in my area) in NJ, and was vocal about it, I'd more than likely be in jail, unable to care for my family and without the things I was vocal about. A person must choose their battles.

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I don't understand what you mean. How can I be put in jail for exercising my 1st Amendment rights and being vocal about the Bill of Rights? Sorry, but where my family came from, it got that way BECAUSE people weren't vocal about their Civil Rights. As long as you aren't breaking the Law, it is your duty to be vocal about it. Especially now, it is required. You should not fear your Government. They should fear you. What battle is more important than your Civil Liberties? Once those are gone, you will be unable to care for your family and you will be without the things you should have been vocal about. This is the historical lesson of every Communist Regime. Ask the Venezuelans.

NuShootr said:

I don't understand what you mean. How can I be put in jail for exercising my 1st Amendment rights and being vocal about the Bill of Rights? Sorry, but where my family came from, it got that way BECAUSE people weren't vocal about their Civil Rights. As long as you aren't braking the Law, it is your duty to be vocal about it.

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I know it is a personal preference how much people put themselves out there. But there is a battle waging for freedoms (specifically to this forum the 2A), and I think it behooves us all to take good stock in what immigrants state about exercising rights or losing them. Americans, myself included have got complacent with a piece of paper (our Constitution and Bill of Rights) defending our rights rather than ourselves getting out there and defending the Constitution and Bill of Rights in thought and peaceable action. Just my thoughts.

@NuShootr appreciate you insight coming from an "eastern European Communist" country, the insight has not fallen on deaf ears in my case.

I guess if I get "red flagged" by a "Karen" then that will be my waterloo and contest it in court. I cannot stand by and let progressives (see Socialists and Communists) dictate to me what my rights given to me by my Creator and Constitution/Bill of Rights are. Sorry, but I'm done giving in and will not hide or be ashamed of my choice of hobby and desire for personal freedom and protection.