Anti's Can Be Converted

[SomeDude]

When I first met my wife, she and her family hated guns. They couldn't understand why I had to have them and why I was so rabid about my right to keep them. Well my wife and I got married and she understood that having guns in the house is just one of those things she wasn't gonna get her way on. So I tell my brother-in-law to come shooting with me just once and finally he gives in. He popped off that first shot from my pistol and looked back with a smile on his face. He continued to shoot and I loaded mags. He shot about 200 rounds of 9mm and 100 rounds through a SKS. He was very disappointed when the ammo ran out. Now he calls me asking to go shooting saying he'll buy the ammo. Well I'm all for that.
My father-in-law recently bought his own pistol and wants me to show him how to shoot it. It's an Accu-Tek but that's beyond the point.
I guess they finally realized I wasn't a blood thirsty maniac and that shooting isn't just fun but it's a great way to relieve stress. As my brother-in-law said, "It combines everything guys like; loud noises, destroying things and instant gratification."

 

[TCB in TN]

Good job, to many people out there are not really anti, just not experienced. Giving them an opportunity often makes a big difference. My wife grew up w/o guns and we spend almot 8 years together before she ever agreed to even shoot one. Each year since then I have got her shooting a little more, and now in year 11 she has actually really learned to shoot, took her class for her permit, and even owns her 1st gun. Small steps added together get you there.

 

[Eyesac]

Good for you buddy! And good for them! Leading by example is the safest easiest way!

 

[mljdeckard]

I've been stumped on a couple. Some people's phobia is so emotionally rooted they won't admit it if their mind is changed. A good friend of mine married a woman whose brother committed suicide. No guns ever. But then he became an army officer, and I had to look her in the eye and tell her that guns are a permanent part of his life now. We shoot, and he owns guns, but she won't acknowledge them. He's not allowed to talk to her about it. We have to pretend it's a secret around her.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Early FUN Exposure to firearms are key. I have over the years took several "Anti's" who were really just unexposed and got them into shooting.
Invite a friend or neighbor shooting it is a worth while investment.

 

[lukepriebe]

Good job, to many people out there are not really anti, just not experienced.

My in-laws were this way. Already converted my bro-in-law and working on the others.

 

[Glockman17366]

There's no doubt anti's can be converted to the Freedom side.

You also must remember, those folks who work for Brady, Voilence Policy Center, et al; are making their living being anti-rights...not necessarily because they believe in their anti-rights causes.

 

[Shung]

not every anti can be converted..

the ones that are anti because of ignorance or lack of knowledge, certainly can.

The ones that are ideologically anti, cannot be converted because even if they like shooting, and are proven wrong by statistics, will still follow their initial ideology.. guns=evil, no matter what..

the last, are the one that glockman talked about.. the one making a living on on being anti-something.. for them there is nothing to do, maybe except whishing that they face a situation where they'd actually NEED what they are anti from..

 

[Ed Ames]

EVERYONE can be converted. Anti and pro alike. All it takes is the right combination of life events to trigger an "aha!" moment. "Aha!" isn't always right, by the way. Sometimes the revelation is, "This is fun!", or "This would be good if someone bigger and stronger attacked me!", or "My son would still be alive if that dumb sick kid hadn't had access to a gun."

Never imagine that the current status quo is set in stone in either direction... we must constantly make conversions because they are constantly trying to make conversions too.

 

[Lou McGopher]

When an anti-gun person asks me, "Why do you need a gun?" I always respond, "For the same reason you lock your doors at night."

I don't know if Canadia is like Michael Moore shows it to be, but here in the States, everyone locks their doors at night, and it's because we worry some thug may try to get in.

And if they ask, "But why carry one during the day?" I ask them if they think they are safer when they are home or when they are outside away from home.

There's always someone who says, "Well, if you feel that unsafe, you should move." I first point out that even people who live in the nicest neighborhoods lock their doors at night, and often have security alarms. Violent crime can and does happen anywhere. And then I explain that it's not so easy for most people to move to nicer neighborhoods.

I always use calm, simple, reasoning, regardless of their questions or objections. The facts are on your side, not theirs. The logic is on your side, not theirs. Be educated about why you have guns, but don't be confrontational when you share your knowledge. Be sympathetic; don't insult them. It doesn't matter if you keep guns for defense or hunting or plinking (although I would hesitate to mention the coming zombie apocalypse) - you're not wrong in your choice.

I guess it helps to know how to argue effectively.
There are three basic tools to use when arguing: logic, character, and emotion.

Logic - "How else am I to effectively defend myself against a stronger attacker or multiple attackers?"

Character - "You've known me for years. Do sincerely you think I'm nuts?"

Emotion - "You want your family to be safe, right? I just want the same for mine."

Of course, logic won't help if you're mounting a punt gun on your jeep in case the Krylorgz from the Andromeda Galaxy invade. Character won't help if you're a known pathological liar or superglue addict. And emotion won't help if you just really, really hate those motherf*****g pheasants.

And yes, as mentioned above, try to introduce them to firearms and shooting in a safe, positive, enjoyable way.

 

[eflatminor]

The more important question is

How will they vote?

 

[throdgrain]

I guess they finally realized I wasn't a blood thirsty maniac and that shooting isn't just fun but it's a great way to relieve stress. As my brother-in-law said, "It combines everything guys like; loud noises, destroying things and instant gratification."

Thats what I say about clay shooting, plus when you hit it, the target explodes

 

[Elbert P . Suggins]

I live in central Idaho and have a cousin that was born and raised here but married and moved to California in the 50s. She is 78. been widowed and married to another guy. They live in San Rafael and their daughter lives right in the middle of San Franciso. Their Congressman rep is Nancy Pelosi and they think she is the finest leader they have ever had. She cannot understand why I even have a gun in the house much less carry one. Her dad homesteaded with firearms by his side and she says they were needed for rattlesnakes and varmints but never are needed anymore. Her husband liked to take walks in the morning but doesn't anymore because of muggings. He says it is too dangerous to venture out. These people are a prisoner in their own home but do not think they could or have the right to defend themselves.

My wife and I sold a pup to a young couple in Mass. and we conversed over the phone several times. After learning that we were gun owners and actually kept guns in the house they were totally flabbergasted and silent with disbelief that we were weapons owners. Believe me when I tell you that there are a hell of alot of these people out there that feel the same way.

 

[GRAYRID3R]

My mother has always been anti-gun and I could never understand because her father (my grandpa) taught me how to shoot. After telling my dad about my recent Garand and M1 carbine purchases, he was saying how he missed qualifying for a sharpshooter by a hair in the Air Force in the '50s. Then the truth came out. My Grandfather would regularly come home drunk as a bat and beat my Grandma and proceed to shoot up the house. My mom was forced to sleep with the guns in her bed so my Grandpa couldn't find them and kill my Grandma in a drunken fit. NO some anti-gunners cannot be converted!

 

[chris in va]

My friend came around, eventually. She wasn't so much 'anti' as nervous, to the point of calling me 'paranoid' when I first started carrying.

After a while she started seeing all these news reports of home invasions, kidnappings, church/school shootings etc etc. It really made her see there is a darker side to a bright, sun shiny day.

We still enjoy the nice spring air, just armed.

 

[rogerjames]

I tell everybody... it's kinda like golf... why am I off to the left? why am I hitting high/low? I need to keep my wrist stiffer. etc etc

 

[cliffy]

Antis are s-l-o-w-l-y learning to shoot well

I'm a Range Safety Officer (RSO) in the midwest of America. I see more females entering our range everyday. LOVE IT! These are women wanting to learn how to use their newly-acquired pieces. We, at our range, are most helpful to newcomers into the art of self-preservation. cliffy

 

[Lightninstrike]

Ditto my wife. After 6 years I bought her a .22 lr semiautomatic and after shooting it the first time her face lit up with a smile. I can barely keep up with the demand for ammo now.

 

[marsofold]

My brother's wife's sister was always very antigun. It was bad enough that people shot rifles to kill harmless animals for food, but handguns were only for maniacs. In college to get her teaching degree, she was a walking icon for maximum diversity and political correctness. Then she moved to Miami and taught in the public schools there. Ten years later I cross paths with her and she's dropped any pretense of loving diversity and now owns a handgun. Sometimes life has a way of whacking people on the side of their head with a bit of painful reality.

 

[LoneCoon]

I have always invited people who don't know about firearms to come shooting with me. The best way to win converts is education.