defusing "gun nut" comments

I accidentally stumbled upon a way to defuse those friendly but mis-understanding comments people make when they find out you own guns. You know, the half-joking "watch out for him" comments.

I had somebody pull one of those on me today and I made a comment about the guns only a tool, and not dangerous if they're handled properly*, and rattled off the four rules right there.

Attitude instantly went from wondering "why does this guy have a dangerous hobby" to "hey, he seems to know what he's talking about" without me having to show off any knowledge or talk guns for 20 minutes to get street cred.


*execpting an SD situation of course--i just knew somebody would make a smart comment about "if they ain't dangerous why use 'em"

 

I try and take as many "firearms ignoramuses" shooting as I can. I've spent a small fortune taking friends to the range and letting them shoot my ammo.

I often find that trying to debate with someone who has their mind set on something is fruitless. Actions speak louder than words, and usually after they pop off a few rounds they're much more impressionable

 

I remember the day my friend got his custom CCW holster in the mail. We went out somewhere and came back (his first CCW experience). At home he took off his over shirt, exposing his undershirt and IWB holster with the gun. His roommate looked up from the TV and said "Have you been carrying a gun?" My friend responded that he had. The roommate looked at him, smiled, and said "You're a baaaaaad man." It was great. Roommate was pro-gun, but being from NY, didn't carry.

 

I just foam at the mouth and mutter "Did I take my two o'clock meds?"

 

"It's too bad you feel that way. I own guns for the same reason I own fire extinguishers and smoke alarms. I take the safety of my family and myself very seriously."

 

"Well, I suck at golf, and I don't like to eat fish."

 

concerning concealed carry, i sometimes try to reply with the whole "well, you are benefitting from me and others carrying a gun concealed and because of us, there is a smaller chance that you will be the victim of a crime". sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. not my problem.

 

You must learn the way's of the opposition, both rational and irrational, intellegent and not so intellegent, once you're comfortable with their information you can infuse it with yours, and from there anything is possible!
You must always keep in mind, ignorance is the killer, most Americans fall into the ignorant category when it comes to guns.

 

Only guns?

 

Sometimes when I am too tired to meet them head on and seriously, I just say "Don't worry. I never shoot anyone, unless the voices in my head really insist on it."

 

If someone treats me as if I am crazy for owning guns, I give them a look like I have never heard anything crazier in my life. "You don't like guns? You're KIDDING me?" "How could you not like guns??!!"

Then kind of turn and mutter "I haven't ever MET anyone before that doesn't like guns"...

Might sound a little over the top, but the truth is, that is actually how I feel.

 

My response is more along the lines of,

"It is an American birthright to own firearms if you so choose. Why would you not own at least one? They are affordable and are very fun to use and practice with. Any good gun that you buy will last your lifetime and your children's without losing any significant value over 50 years. If anything, it will appreciate in value 10 fold if manufactured of high quality and care."

With the usual disclaimer of must not be a criminal etc.

 

I use this one a lot. Someone will ask why I own guns and I will respond that I love them, they are a lot of fun, how can you NOT like them. I've yet to get a good response. Or really, any response. Usually they're just calling 911.

Just kidding about that last part.

Dope

 

"If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson."

"I choose to be equipped to defend myself. If you choose to be a victim, that is your right."

 

When a brother in law of mine found out that I own an AR-15 he said "Why in the world do you have one of those? Its only purpose is killing people. Are we going to read about you in the paper one day going nuts & killing a bunch of people in a shooting spree?"

I just smiled & said "Oh yeah, whenever I place that rifle in my hands I am overcome by an evil dark force & all of a sudden I become a crazy person."

Everyone in the room laughed & he never mentioned it again. I have since invited him to the range several times in an effort to show him the fun he is missing out on, but so far he has declined. He's probably afraid of being overcome by the dark side of the force. I'll keep inviting him though, perhaps someday he'll say yes just to get me off his back. He did allow me to bring a couple of his kids to the range & they had a blast.

 

Then you've already won. So, in fact, have his kids, and so has he, whether he knows it yet or not.

Well Done.

 

If you don't trust me with a gun, why should I trust you with a car?

 

How do you respond when gun owners describe themselves as "nuts" and seem to think it's cute? Is it?

Here are some examples:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=249464&highlight=nut
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=337034&highlight=nut
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=334447&highlight=nut
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=328514&highlight=nut
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=305610&highlight=nut
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=300357&highlight=nut

 

I see it as a term that's been used routinely for decades by hobbyists of many kinds, and which poses a far smaller problem than the attitudes described by the OP.

 

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=328514&highlight=nut

Uh, Robert, I really don't think this is the kind of nut you were talking about...

 

When someone in the general public says "gun nut" they really mean something different, and more sinister, than what we mean when "we" say it. When I say "gun nut" I'm thinking "gun enthusiast" and don't feel at all threatened or in any way negative. I agree with the sentiment "how could you not like guns?"

I had some insight into this recently when having my weekly phone chat with my uber-liberal mother who organizes for the D's in another state :banghead:
Anyway, even though I try not to bring up controversial topics in our weekly talk, she did once and before she could stop herself she said something about "those dangerous gun nuts and their assault weapons". So I said "Mom, *I'm* a gun nut and I own those kinds of things, are you saying you want the police to raid *me*?" She quickly backed down and said "oh, I don't mean people like you, you're safe with guns. I mean the GUN NUTS kind of people". I don't quite know who she'd be talking about, other than the types that we on this board refer to as criminals. But I realized when she's backing draconian gun bans and other vile things, she really doesn't understand what she's backing. I've explained 10,000 times what a real "assault rifle" is and the craziness of the '94 AWB definition of one, and she still doesn't get it. She honestly thinks that another AWB will keep machine guns out of the hands of criminals and won't affect me at all. :banghead: There's a conflict between reality and her political beliefs, and so far unfortunately the pravda of her politcos trumps reality.

Since I haven't been able to educate her in over 10 years of trying (including a range trip where she enjoyed shooting a .22), I'm reduced to the simple trickery of reminding her to go vote on the first Wednesday in November.

 

As an avid photographer I've been called a "camera nut" for years. As a firearms enthusiast I've also been called a "gun nut" for years. It's interesting how the intent behind the two statements is almost always completely different.

Had a similar conversation with someone just recently. They were talking about how all those "gun people" need to be locked away and I couldn't stop myself from saying "you do realize you are talking about me, right?"

 

I don`t make excuses for owning firearms!

 

I went into JC Penny the other day and when I showed my ID for using my check card the cashier noticed my CCW and said "i'm not messing with this guy" All I did is politely said all it means ma`am is that I am a little safer than those who don't have one.