Activism list of dos and don'ts

[JImbothefiveth]

Like the title says, I thought it would be a good idea to create such a list. So far I've only got a few items.
This should be applicable to a wide range of people and activities.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[bigfatdave]

If you find yourself identified as "that (wo)man with a gun", make damn sure you're not "that scary (wo)man with a gun", and strive to be "that nice/polite/helpful/responsible (wo)man who happened to have a gun".

 

[sarge14072]

Do love your country, do know the constitution, do know your elected leaders, do pay attention to what is going on, do get involved, DON"T believe everything you hear, do some research. DO protect your rights and family. DON'T tell dear Uncle Sam everything, you may end up losing some things someday (read to mean guns). Hope this helps.

 

[hso]

Don't be confrontational and don't back down. Activists have to have the strength of their convictions and be sure of their information.

Do be polite, well spoken and responsible.

 

[RoostRider]

Do teach, don't preach.

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

Don't act like a paranoid nut!!! I took a friend new to shooting to the range today. Had to stop at an area gun shop to pick up ammo for my dad's rifle. Guy at the counter is going on and on and on saying "get em while you can. get all the ammo now while you still can. it could be any day now" and magazines "gotta get these now, get em fast could be any day now" "the internet's been dried up for a year now" (lol ammo is everywhere online now) "you sure you don't want more? any day now man"

what's any day now???

My new shooter is on the fence on guns and meeting this clown didn't help. It took focus away from what we were there to do and instead got me all sorts of condescending questions "do all these people sleep with their dog and their rifle in the bathtub or something?" (a reference to I Am Legend)

and honestly, after their first time walking into a gun shop in their life and seeing the guy acting like that, how could I blame them?

 

[gossamer]

DO ask what people support before you assume what they support. DON'T assume people don't support you just because they don't carry (not everyone has to practice what they preach).

DO thank people for their opinion, even if you thank it's misguided. Your learn something from every discussion and it can prepare you for the next one.

DO be patient.
DON'T be dismissive of other people's opinions and attitudes. If someone says they prefer you not carry on their premises, excuse yourself and leave -- it's their right too. If it's a business, write them a respectful letter explaining that you've decided to spend your money with their competitor.

 

[PublicRelations]

Organize peacefully in a group.

Organize a peaceful group (three or more is ideal in my opinion) that is non-threatening, open to discussion, and positive.

A group takes the social pressure off of the individual. A group is more of a presence. A social group having coffee and conversation is less likely to appear threatening than an individual.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

I got one to add. I remember seeing a picture of a sign, and it got me to thinking. Don't mention the Turner diaries.

 

[MCab]

Hi everybody, I'm a first-time poster.

One thing I like to use is to find overlaps between 2A issues and discrimination. Most anti-gunners as we know are progressives, so I mention to them that restrictive gun laws were first written in the Jim Crow south in order to keep black people from protecting themselves against the authorities. I also mention in West Virginia there was no RKBA in the state constitution so that the coal companies wouldn't have to worry about worker's revolts. Another point to bring up is to ask what sort of protections should a woman have if she put a restraining order on her abusive ex.

It's not that I am condescending, nor do I consider myself a lefty (the world's smallest political quiz says I'm a libertarian). These are actual issues that do concern me, and I think that the restriction of 2A rights is a part of a bigger picture of rights abuses by governments overall.

 

[cambeul41]

Most anti-gunners as we know are progressives,

Which I consider a misuse of the word "progress."

Another point to bring up is to ask what sort of protections should a woman have if she put a restraining order on her abusive ex.

While were are on that topic, what protection should a man have against a false claim of abuse?

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

DO be aware of how you appear to others. DO be aware of what stereotypes of gun owners antis and on-the-fence types have and DON'T be that stereotype.

I'm reminded of some pictures someone posted a while back on THR of an "Open Carry March" or something of that sort. And in just about every photo all I saw was camo, tac vests, beer guts, confederate flags, and right-wing t shirts. Now I'm a very right-wing guy myself, and own a lot of camo and tactical gear as well. But people need to be aware of how the outside sees gun owners. If you look you would fit right in at some racist militia rally, PLEASE do not mention RKBA to people. That image harms us. Whenever I open carry, I make a point to where nice clothes, and shave. Not a suit or anything, just nice khaki pants and a non-descript shirt. I want people to think "he looks like a nice polite young man" LONG before they notice the gun. I don't even have to talk to someone. They can just see me getting gas at the local Citgo. But if I can get just one person to think to themselves "I guess not all gun owners are backwards rednecks" than I think I've helped the cause.

 

[benEzra]

Don't be combative or shrill. Don't stoop to personal attacks; if some anti stoops to insults, raise the level of discourse, don't lower it to their level. Don't play into the media stereotypes of gun owners as uneducated country bumpkins or Rambo wannabes. Don't be "in your face"; use tact.

And don't equate support for gun rights with conservatism, or opposition to gun rights with liberalism. The "if you're not with me on all these other social issues, I don't want your support for gun rights" doesn't help us overall, IMO.

 

[devildog32713]

I took a friend new to shooting to the range today. Had to stop at an area gun shop to pick up ammo for my dad's rifle. Guy at the counter is going on and on and on saying "get em while you can. get all the ammo now while you still can. it could be any day now" and magazines "gotta get these now, get em fast could be any day now" "the internet's been dried up for a year now" (lol ammo is everywhere online now) "you sure you don't want more? any day now man"

what's any day now???

While there are a few people are honestly scared, a lot of this crap is a sales tactic.
Remember when gas was really (4.00+ for reg) expensive? Now it's down in the 2's and low 3's, but people are still nervous it may get jacked up again. So anyone selling something (a car, a part,) that corrosponds to getting better gas mileage, people will get it.