Attempting to convert....

[Mastrogiacomo]

Every Sunday I go to Chinatown where I have my language exchange set up. He knows I'm a gun owner because with the DNC in Boston, I couldn't allow it to go unknown that I hate their pro abortion stance and their anti-gun theme. Remember, Michael Moore showed up here.

He's originally from Hong Kong and open minded. We had spoken about Ted Kennedy before so today he showed me a letter he received in the mail about the Brady Bill, Assualt Weapon Ban, etc. Naturally Ted pointed out how he lost two brothers to senseless gun violence. I tried to explain that Robert Kennedy's killer was a criminal and you can't blame law abiding gun owners for the actions of one person. (In the letter, Ted stressed that he bought a $29 pistol from a gun dealer that was used to kill his brother Robert). With John F. Kennedy, I mentioned that it was likely more than one person that killed him, we'll never know why, and that John, believe it or not, defended the second amendment which Ted left out.

I offered to bring him to a public range to shoot my guns and he'd like to since he agrees the Democrat stance is very one sided. I further told him most people that hate guns have never handled them and frankly, most gun owners know more about them than celebs that profit off them. One of the points he brought up was guns were designed only to kill. I mentioned that my sword was designed only to remove a person's head but it doesn't have to be used for that. I added that if that were true, then every cop must be looking to kill someone because they carry guns everyday -- and people's lives are saved by guns more often than is reported. He was also curious if all Democrats hate guns and all Republicans support gun rights, to which I replied it's more a regional thing. Am I wrong? I'll be teaching him some of the basics before our range trip -- so does anyone know a good sight where I can get basic gun language: recoil, magazine, limp wristing, etc?

Also, where can I find good info about the Assault weapon ban, the guns included and other gun issues. I mentioned that the sniper in DC used a long gun that any hunter might use and there was nothing special about the gun. I'd like to give him facts for him to read over that shows the big picture on guns and the anti-gun movement. Appreciate anything.

 

[ksnecktieman]

For the range trip,,,,, Do not over load him, teach him the four basic rules, show him how to load and clear the gun he will be shooting as you hand them to him,,, maybe a brief overview in advance. Do not push, and do not nag. Start with a .22, if possible, and a close target. A very few minutes of instruction on sights, and let him shoot. If/when he likes it, then will be time for advanced instruction about handling specifics. Just let him have fun, and move at this own pace. If all he shoots on the first trip is a .22, and he has fun, he will be back.

One point you might give him to think about, is the effectiveness of gun control. Ask him, "If you were inclined to commit an armed robbery, the possesion of a gun or a knife or a club will qualify as armed, in the eyes of the court, and you are in Kansas City. You can do your crime in Kansas City, Missouri, where citizens can get a concealed weapons permit, and may have a gun. OR you can cross a river, and be in Kansas City, Kansas where citizens can not get a permit to carry, WHERE WILL YOU DO YOUR ROBBERY?"

If he is truly neutral, or only slightly anti gun let him lead himself to what he wants to believe.

As far as the legalities, and the details of the laws, maybe the NRA website?

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

I've found a few good sites so far since I've been looking. The good thing about the range is I do have a Ruger New Single Six. Of course, everything else is Berettas, a Glock, and a 686. I plan to start him off slow and gradually show more material that shows both sides of the gun debate and where Ted Kennedy and others are seriously flawed and one sided. I have hope...

 

[dukeofurl]

Theres a public range in Mass?

My brother lives up there, he complains he cant shoot any of my guns on a regular basis.

 

[Mastrogiacomo]

Bob's Tactical Shooting Range
978/465-5561
90 Lafayette Road
Salisbury, MA

It's a public range: $10 an hour for the rent of the range, you pay for the ear/eye protection and ammo but obviously I bring my own. The targets are cheap. Not a bad deal considering, very nice folks.

 

[Jim K]

Just MHO, but I have never believed either JFK or RFK was killed by "a criminal". I believe that Castro had John Kennedy killed because JFK was trying to kill HIM. He told reporters that he saw Bobby as the evil manipulator behind those attacks; I think Bobby was safe until it looked like he would become president, and Castro determined to make sure that never happened.

I believe the U.S. has absolute proof of Castro's involvement and that every incoming president has been told of it. Ever notice that the embargo on Cuba has never been lifted, even though we have normal diplomatic and trade relations with far worse countries than Cuba?

Of course, if the Cuban connection had been revealed at the time, every American with a rowboat and a rifle would have headed for Cuba and the result would have been WW III. A coverup was needed and was put into effect, blaming about every one and every group except Cuba and Castro.

Jim

 

[Standing Wolf]

John F. Kennedy's killer was a communist nut case. Robert F. Kennedy's killer was an Islamic terrorist savage.

Both were criminals, to be sure, but of a rather different class from run of the mill criminals.

 

[TimRB]

"One of the points he brought up was guns were designed only to kill."

This is a delicate issue, but you handled it well by pointing out the many legitimate uses of guns for defense by police and others. I think it's a mistake to deny that firearms are, at least basically, weapons. The founding fathers wanted the people to have weapons that could be used to defend themselves against insurrection, invasion, or even a tyrannical government.

One can sometimes placate an anti with a "guns are for hunting and target shooting" kind of statement, but eventually that leads to assault weapons bans and politicians like "I'm a hunter--I'm your friend" Kerry.

This is far afield when it comes to taking a fence-sitting newbie to the range for the first time, but it's worth remembering if you get a chance to mention that guns in the hands of normal, honest people are not a threat to anyone's safety.

Tim

 

[litman252]

Tim, you are correct about not going down the road of guns are for other things than killing. I would take the route of the pencil- Pencil's are for writing, does not mean that you have to write a bad letter with them. Guns are for killing, does not mean you have to use them for that.
Just a thought from the top of my head.
YMMV,
Tony