Are attitudes towards guns changing???

[Ole Humpback]

First off, this is an open ended question that I know will have varied answers based on region, but this has been growing on my mind lately. For starters, I live in Fort Wayne, IN, have an IN license to carry, and open carry a 1911 in a holster with a thumb-break.

Over the last few months, people have approached me and thanked me for exercising my right to open carry. At first I didn't think too much about it, the people who were approaching me were for the most part teenagers and early college age. But as time has passed, more & more adults I run into are saying something as well. It always catches me off guard (no pun intended) and I really don't have a good idea what to say in those situations. I know its a situation where I have the opportunity to make a good impact on the general public in regards to RKBA, but I just try to politely get out of the conversation quickly.

Has anyone else had a similar experience? If so, what seems to be a good way to act/respond in that situation.

Thoughts & comments are welcome

 

[Cee Zee]

I had policemen thank me for getting a CCW and carrying a gun. They said they could use all the help they could get from the good guys. I said I hoped I never had to help them but I would if I had to.

 

[Twiki357]

I went with “Maybe/Staying the Same” as a neutral opinion. I haven’t noticed any difference, but I only carry concealed so I don’t experience any reactions. The only thing I’ve noticed is an increase in “No Gun” signs since Sandyhook.

 

[leadcounsel]

Overall yes.

But there are definitely sides being chosen, much like the rest of society is deeply divided along political lines. There are generally three types.

Pro (60% population in various forms)
Neutral - uniformed - disinterested (20% population)
Anti (20% population in various forms)

Approximately 40 or more states have shall issue in some form. Around 5 have constitutional carry. Around 10 states are various forms of anti-gun, with about 7 being extremely anti-gun.

The trend moving toward pro-gun has been increasing. For instance, in the last 6 years or so, we've won several huge Constitutional law cases nationwide, and haven't really lost any. We've gained carry in National parks. There have been a few setbacks with magazine capacity, notably in Colorado. But those leaders were ejected and I suspect those laws will be corrected soon. The AWB ban sunset, and was a huge failed social experiment that we can point to as a big costly mistake. It also made gun sales skyrocket as people started hoarding.

I see a lot of civil unrest in our future - and more people will cling to guns in times of uncertainty, fear, and 'bad times ahead.' If you look back to 2001, after we were attacked, gun sales went through the roof. And following the 2008 election, and in nearly every year since, guns and ammo sales have been astronomical as hoarding continues. The population at large wants guns for many different reasons.

One political side drew an anti-gun line in the sand and lost. There are many pro-gun Democrats, but few if any anti-gun Republicans. As long as that 5th SCOTUS judge isn't anti-gun, our gun rights will continue to improve.

 

[berettaprofessor]

Let's see; still having trouble finding powder and some types of ammo.....YES, Attitudes are changing!

 

[2zulu1]

Attitudes in this part of Arizona aren't changing, one has to assume that others are carrying.

 

[200Apples]

.
My view of the situation from here in Los Angeles is that certain section of our financial aristocracy, that congenital tyrant, seems to guide our mainstream news media... and together with the blissninnies and the hoplophobic fools raised in the metropolitan bubble in your state and mine, fuel [Edit: the slant we see] on television news. That is going to get worse.

On the other hand, thank goodness, we are also hearing the ever-louder voices of the true Americans that live and beat as the heart of the United States. People have had enough. The recent re-election victory of Sherriff David Clarke in Wisconsin comes to mind.

 

[huntsman]

Absolutely Yes / Changing Positively

About 5 years ago wife and I go to a wedding, we're seated at a table with a bunch of friends from a church we attended about 10 years prior and in the conversation it came up that I had just got my CCW, after a bit of gun talk an older couple who are very nontraditional(ex-hippie) spoke up and said they both have their CCW. I about fell out of my chair when I heard them discussing carry guns and ammo, it was at that moment I realized times they were a changing.

 

[herkyguy]

In Babies-r-Us of all places yesterday a gentleman was OC'ing a nice looking Sig. No one looked twice at him maybe they didn't notice but I sure did.

Glad to see it. I had my LCR well concealed, but if folks feel content with responsible citizens carrying weapons, I say all the better!

 

[taliv]

but few if any anti-gun Republicans

like bloomberg?


I think there was a LOT of positive momentum that was clearly, undeniably evidenced by sandyhook resulting in more pro gun laws than anti gun..... until.... those open carry texas guys started shooting us in the foot.

 

[plodder]

Quote from Taliv:

like bloomberg?

Bloomberg actually refers to himself (now) as an Independent. However, even when he referred to himself as a Republican, it was as accurate of a political party description as Sheriff Clark of Milwaukee county declaring himself a Democrat. Both are just matters of political expediency necessary to win election in the district they must obtain votes from. (not that I am defending the Republican party, but the Democrat party of today is a lost cause, anti-American and devoid of morals & a soul. JMHO)

 

[HexHead]

That's interesting since all the Toys-R-Us around here are Posted.

 

[Cee Zee]

Both are just matters of political expediency

I don't want to drag this into politics but claiming to be Republican in NYC is NOT a good way to get elected.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I think maybe, my area is has a military base so there are alot of military people. There are quite a few gun shops around and stuff. It is either staying the same or getting better, it's not getting worse. Definetely plenty of people at the ranges I go to etc. etc.

 

[HexHead]

Quote from Taliv:


Bloomberg actually refers to himself (now) as an Independent. However, even when he referred to himself as a Republican, it was as accurate of a political party description as Sheriff Clark of Milwaukee county declaring himself a Democrat. Both are just matters of political expediency necessary to win election in the district they must obtain votes from. (not that I am defending the Republican party, but the Democrat party of today is a lost cause, anti-American and devoid of morals & a soul. JMHO)

Bloomberg only ran initially as a a Republican because the Democratic primary had too many contenders to challenge him. Running as a a Republican and getting RINO Guliani's post-9/11 endorsement was a cake walk. It was all about political expediency and nothing to do with core values.

 

[Bob M.]

There does seem to be a much greater amount of Pro-2nd Amendment folks than I would have thought. I'm very pleased to see this. There may be hope for us yet.

 

[GBExpat]

Are attitudes towards gun changing in your region?

Not in my small still-mostly-rural section of the world, they aren't.

I often hear folks in their distant backyards at target practice (as I am sure that they hear me).

It is nice to be able to step out of your house and be at the range.

Now, if the oaks didn't constantly drop so much clogging crap into my gutters it would be a little closer to perfect.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

National Gallup poll on proposal to ban handguns has gone from about 60% for banning handguns in 1959-1960 to over 70% against banning handguns in recent years.

I think we are seeing the last gasps of rhetoric in favor of banning handguns, requiring registration of long guns, or outlawing civilian ownership of military-style firearms. Gasps from a very loud minority of antigun fanatics who are favored bu our advocacy journalist "news" media to be sure, but a minority whose support has eroded as more people realize that voodoo criminology--attacking symbols--doesn't work, whether it's alcohol, marijuana, comic books, or guns.

To address violence one must craft laws that affect the actors and the overt acts that are bad in themselves (malum in se), and not laws that attack a symbolic scapegoat made bad because banned (malum prohibitum) especially when millions of ordinary citizens feel they can used the banned whatever responsibly themselves.

 

[krupparms]

With more & more fokes realizing that they have no L.E. protection, gun & ammunition sales have risen quite a bit! The demand around here has kept prices up. Alot of people are learning to shoot & the county range is busy. Even the local Fred Mayer's put in a gunshop. I also am seeing more O.C. at restaurants & stores. The only comments about my gun are positive & polite. Quite a few thank me, for making them feel safer. I believe that people are waking up to the fact that, they must protect themselves! And more are learning each day. JMO .

 

[Nom de Forum]

About 5 years ago wife and I go to a wedding, we're seated at a table with a bunch of friends from a church we attended about 10 years prior and in the conversation it came up that I had just got my CCW, after a bit of gun talk an older couple who are very nontraditional(ex-hippie) spoke up and said they both have their CCW. I about fell out of my chair when I heard them discussing carry guns and ammo, it was at that moment I realized times they were a changing.

There are many people with economic and social values that support the 2A and CCW that conservatives would classify as liberals. Being pro-2A does not define you as being a conservative. The biggest mistake pro-2A conservatives make is alienating liberals who are neutral or apathetic about guns by constantly demonizing and insulting the intelligence of all liberals.

 

[Onward Allusion]

leadcounsel
Overall yes.

But there are definitely sides being chosen, much like the rest of society is deeply divided along political lines. There are generally three types. <SNIP>

^^^ THIS

and . . .

I think the majority of NEWER gun owners could care less about the 2nd Amendment as they are about their own hides. Fear is a great motivator.

 

[itsa pain]

I had policemen thank me for getting a CCW and carrying a gun. They said they could use all the help they could get from the good guys. I said I hoped I never had to help them but I would if I had to.

Shoot someone and the same cop will arrest you

 

[itsa pain]

I don't want to drag this into politics but claiming to be Republican in NYC is NOT a good way to get elected.

Bloomberg rode in on the coattails of republican Giuliani so called Americas mayor after 9-11 and he lowered crime

 

[DeepSouth]

I haven't noticed a change around here in my lifetime. The overwhelming majority of people I know own more than one gun, and I can honestly say I've never came face to face with an anti. I'm from the country and I like it that way.

 

[HoploDad]

When showing a Massachusetts cousin and his generally anti-gun wife a picture of my high school son teaching his high school girlfriend how to safely handle a 10/22, the relative exclaimed with some amount of panic, "Is that an automatic rifle?". As I was answering "yes, semi-automatic", his wife told him, "Don't worry honey, that's just part of their culture." So apparently there is a pass for anyone residing in Texas, even in the eyes of a liberal Boston anti-gunner.