And they had to leave the room

[MilsurpShooter]

Just as a kind of Devils Advocate response, you said yourself you don't know the two so they could have been victim to something involving a firearm in the past. Just because someone doesn't like a gun doesn't mean insta-hoplophobe, it could just very well be bad personal experience or a lack of proper education on their part.

I've dealt with a similar situation like this, turns out the young lady in question was raped by 3 men at gun point. I didn't know this at the time, but over the 3 years we got to know each other and she told me this once she became able to deal with it once again. I didn't attempt to push the gun subject on her and simply told her if she ever has a question about a firearm or ownership or something of those lines to let me know. Over the past few months we've sat down over coffee and discussed it and now I am pretty sure she understands that the menacing looking thing in the guys hand wasn't what caused the situation, it was the guy holding it. But it was her preconeption due to a bad experience that made her see me, with a gun, in a bad light.

 

[Mikee Loxxer]

Wow this turned into a very bizarre thread.

There was no brandishing involved. Where I am from firearms ownership is not unique or remarkable. Showing off new acquisitions is normal.

Arfin, these folks were in their early 20’s.

Unfortunately my friend who tried to allay the hoplophobes fears is already married (to a good friend of mine).

Looking this thread over has convinced me that the struggle for the right to keep and bear arms is in big trouble. I can’t help but to think that the demographic shift from most folks living in rural areas (pre 1950) to having most live in urban or suburban settings has resulted in people fearing firearms. It seems that folks in urban and suburban settings tend to have limited exposure to firearms and most of those being in a negative context.

But as it has been pointed out every individual has their own experiences that will shape their view of firearms that cannot be directly tied to demographics.

 

[fiVe]

I'm 46 which puts me in the "suspect" group, but I'm stauchly PRO-2nd Amendment (and have been all my life).

Proudly showing off your firearm is a perfectly normal activity to me. Mikee, if I had been there, I would've been "fighting" for the best spot so I could have a good look.

Gun owner and proud of it,
fiVe

 

[Notch]

tr.v. bran·dished, bran·dish·ing, bran·dish·es
1. To wave or flourish (a weapon, for example) menacingly.

There... I "attacked the argument" and I didnt try to point out someones obvious agenda.


But go ahead and call someone immature, childish or foolish, thats different.