XD Fan
Member
Good on all of you that are bringing new folks into the fold.
Future gun owners: hippies, punks, goths, nerds and everyone else.
- Thread starter Oleg Volk
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Brian Dale
Member
Beautiful picture! I'll suggest a caption for when you make it into a poster:atek3 said:
Don't tell me that it's too cold to go shooting.
Just keep loading those mags.
It really is funny how we can judge people based on their looks, and be completely surprised. I hang out a lot at Industrial and Goth clubs, and those are some of the nicest, easiest going people out there. One thing I have noticed, is that it does change a lot with a "group mentality". If you get them by themselves, they are really cool normal people, but when you get a big group of whatever culture then they start degenerating into the worst aspects of that. I'm looking at you specifically, "hip-hop".
crashm1
Member
Boy I wish I could see this photo. I like goth hippies and punks.
atek3
Member
Nope, these days I'm training winter warriors in New Hampster.
TCB in TN
Member
As a white 37 year old teacher I am sure that I don't fit a lot of stereotypes. I am way to country, and redneck but still listen to hip-hop, rap, jazz, blues and classical music. I raise horses, chickens, shoot, coach soccer, basketball, and football. I like tatts (got my first one at 27 and I am designing my next as we speak), Halo, Half-Life, Gears of War, and Counter Strike, along with reading comics and action novels. I attend a Baptist church, text with my kids, carry an I-pod, and watch Food Network. I also grew up in an all white area but through sports had a lot of black friends, as well as dating a lot of black girls along with hispanic and Asian girls too. So were I single and younger I would SO love to teach the above young lady how to shoot. Well I would still love to teach her how to shoot, but now my motives would be different!
Well I would still love to teach her how to shoot, but now my motives would be different!
Superlite27
Member
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2007
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- 712
Several weeks ago, I went to the local range. While removing my range bag from my trunk, this blinged out Mercedes backs into the space next to me. (I've got a pretty decked out Cadillac, myself)
A very "gangsta" looking African American guy gets out wearing the sideways hat, 5 gold chains, medallions, saggin' pants, the works.
"Nice ride", he says.
"You too", I reply.
Inside, we get firing lanes next to each other, exchange conversation, and end up chatting for awhile about guns, the Kirkwood shooting (happened about 2 miles away) and other gun related stuff.
Heck of a nice guy.
Anyone who merely judged him on his looks would immediately and without hesitation think "drug dealer". I did so myself.
After talking with him, however, my preconceived notions were eliminated. Either this guy was the most law abiding, firearms safe, congenial drug dealer in the world, or, more likely, just another normal, law abiding citizen who enjoyed shooting like myself.
A very "gangsta" looking African American guy gets out wearing the sideways hat, 5 gold chains, medallions, saggin' pants, the works.
"Nice ride", he says.
"You too", I reply.
Inside, we get firing lanes next to each other, exchange conversation, and end up chatting for awhile about guns, the Kirkwood shooting (happened about 2 miles away) and other gun related stuff.
Heck of a nice guy.
Anyone who merely judged him on his looks would immediately and without hesitation think "drug dealer". I did so myself.
After talking with him, however, my preconceived notions were eliminated. Either this guy was the most law abiding, firearms safe, congenial drug dealer in the world, or, more likely, just another normal, law abiding citizen who enjoyed shooting like myself.
alemonkey
Member
Is it just me, or is there a renewed interest in shooting among young people? I grew up outside of a small rural town so pretty much all of my friends had guns and hunted a lot. Then I went to college and found a lot of my age group (early 30's now) were either anti or just not interested. Now, it seems I read a lot about the next generation being much more interested.
crashm1
Member
So now tht I can see the image I must say it looks great. Pretty normal Minneapolis or where ever punk rocker. I know a fair number of people like both of them.
Tom Servo
Member
As long as they're not mixed with plaids, I'm game
My shop is in a semi-urban area, and we get a lot of folks from all over in their early 20's. Most come from anti (or ambivalent) families, and they're taking the initiative to learn on their own. None of them were taught by their parents like we were.
The Generation Y types fall 50/50. Half are (usually upper-middle-class males) idiots who shoot to hear the noises or emulate the things they see in movies.
The other half is what's interesting.
They're concerned with learning for its own sake, they're conscientious about safety, and they seem to pursue shooting as a pure hobby. They seek instruction and criticism, and they seem genuinely interested in marksmanship for its own sake.
They usually have body art, odd hair colors or clothing that otherwise suggests a rebellious streak. But, they're intelligent and once you get to know them, it becomes apparent that they have a habit of thinking for themselves.
Some of the kids today have real potential, which is more than I can say about my generation...
No reason to judge the book by it's cover.
My younger brother is a punker tattoo artist, and married to a heavily tattooed lady. They are both legal gun owners/gun carriers. He is also an NRA instructor.
I work hard in my spare time on enviro/ocean issues and am a life long surf rat (who used to have shoulder length hair) who happens to have a college degree as well (I have a varied and colorful past). I am a legal gun owner and legal gun carrier, who has taught several of my beach bunny lady friends how to shoot, and helped them make smart first gun choices.
My younger brother is a punker tattoo artist, and married to a heavily tattooed lady. They are both legal gun owners/gun carriers. He is also an NRA instructor.
I work hard in my spare time on enviro/ocean issues and am a life long surf rat (who used to have shoulder length hair) who happens to have a college degree as well (I have a varied and colorful past). I am a legal gun owner and legal gun carrier, who has taught several of my beach bunny lady friends how to shoot, and helped them make smart first gun choices.
ZombiesAhead
Member
- Joined
- May 10, 2007
- Messages
- 460
I think it's important to spread firearm ownership and RKBA advocacy across social and even POLITICAL lines. I come from a very liberal/progressive, doctorate-level-educated family and grew up in the city of Boston. Until I became interested in shooting upon moving to Ohio and meeting different types of people, we never would have considered RKBA in our political stance.
However, guns have become a great hobby in the past few years and I've gotten both my sister and mother to take some interest in them despite their (and also my) liberal leanings on many issues.
Don't assume all Democrats are anti-RKBA. Not every one is a single-issue voter but if an interest in firearms in ingrained in a person it can change the direction of even the traditional liberal anti-RKBA stereotype.
Guns are not just for white, heterosexual, Christian "good 'ol boys" and we shouldn't be so quick to equate this demographic with gun-ownership and advocacy. Considering the changing demographics of this country, we need to reach out to everyone to promote rational opinions on RKBA and spread this great hobby.
However, guns have become a great hobby in the past few years and I've gotten both my sister and mother to take some interest in them despite their (and also my) liberal leanings on many issues.
Don't assume all Democrats are anti-RKBA. Not every one is a single-issue voter but if an interest in firearms in ingrained in a person it can change the direction of even the traditional liberal anti-RKBA stereotype.
Guns are not just for white, heterosexual, Christian "good 'ol boys" and we shouldn't be so quick to equate this demographic with gun-ownership and advocacy. Considering the changing demographics of this country, we need to reach out to everyone to promote rational opinions on RKBA and spread this great hobby.
PercyShelley
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- 1,075
Oleg Volk and Kenn Blanchard understand the best, and most adaptive strategy for preserving, and perhaps even expanding gun rights in this country. Gun ownership, and its attendant responsibility and self-determination has to be normalized for everyone, especially the young and social trendsetters.
The nation's population is becoming more urban. The world's population is becoming more urban. The Jeffersonian yeoman was armed as a matter of necessity; selling the idea of widespread armament to the American public immediately after the Revolution would be like selling them on the right to keep and operate spinning wheels and carding blocks. It would simply be absurd to try to live otherwise. Unless coming generations see it the same way, and a similar mentality can be imported to the 21st century, it's going to be one hell of an uphill climb.
The nation's population is becoming more urban. The world's population is becoming more urban. The Jeffersonian yeoman was armed as a matter of necessity; selling the idea of widespread armament to the American public immediately after the Revolution would be like selling them on the right to keep and operate spinning wheels and carding blocks. It would simply be absurd to try to live otherwise. Unless coming generations see it the same way, and a similar mentality can be imported to the 21st century, it's going to be one hell of an uphill climb.
Brian Dale
Member
Y'know, I think that I've read that before around here.alexd said:
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BobbyQuickdraw
Member
Really enjoy the first pic, but I think the text in the bottom text box is a bit too far to the right. Seems like the punctuation is on the very edge. Might suggest nudging it back in a little bit.
MaMa PyCb
Member
Most of those who are my friends now were once anti-gun-hippies. Now there part of the "angry-gun-toting-meat-eating-people" as was once referred to by dennis leary.
TonyB
Member
How about:
Gun owners: not just fat white guys anymore......
oh wait..I AM a fat white guy
although if you saw my in the 80's......
Gun owners: not just fat white guys anymore......
oh wait..I AM a fat white guy
although if you saw my in the 80's......
Oleg , I like that . I am of the persuasion of not judging a book by it's cover .
Funny though , I tend to be judged quite often on MY appearance , lol (dirty biker, white trash,etc) . But I'm a concealed permit holder , have my C&R , have a clean record , and work and live a "clean" lifestyle . Just happens that I like skin art , leather, scooters, and of course , guns .
When I first showed up at the range with a group of guys like me , we got some looks . But after a few times the other guys came over and started to talk with us and found that we were actually decent people . Now whenever we go , they tend to come over to see what we have that's "new" and to just shoot the bull .
Funny though , I tend to be judged quite often on MY appearance , lol (dirty biker, white trash,etc) . But I'm a concealed permit holder , have my C&R , have a clean record , and work and live a "clean" lifestyle . Just happens that I like skin art , leather, scooters, and of course , guns .
When I first showed up at the range with a group of guys like me , we got some looks . But after a few times the other guys came over and started to talk with us and found that we were actually decent people . Now whenever we go , they tend to come over to see what we have that's "new" and to just shoot the bull .
ptmmatssc, if I was at the range and a group of guys like you showed up, I'd probably just give you my wallet and shoot myself to save time.
My buddy and I take a group of college kids, Theater majors, to the range a few times a year to familiarize them with gun safety, handling, shooting and cleaning guns. This is done as an informal part of a props class. There have been some very interesting 'covers' to some of these 'books'. Lots of goths and punkers. It doesn't seem to matter. Put a pistol, an AR or a Garand in their hands and ther's sure to be a smile on their faces. Its a good chance for us to put out some positive PR for our sport.
My buddy and I take a group of college kids, Theater majors, to the range a few times a year to familiarize them with gun safety, handling, shooting and cleaning guns. This is done as an informal part of a props class. There have been some very interesting 'covers' to some of these 'books'. Lots of goths and punkers. It doesn't seem to matter. Put a pistol, an AR or a Garand in their hands and ther's sure to be a smile on their faces. Its a good chance for us to put out some positive PR for our sport.
Lol , you ought to see the looks on the faces of people seeing us for the first time showing up at the range . It usually takes 3-4 guys several trips to my truck to get all the guns an ammo . Then when we set up four 8 foot long tables with our gear , the eyes really start bugging out .
Looks are deceiving . The group of guys that go to the range with me are some of the nicest guys you'll meet .
No doubt. First impressions are a good survival tool but when the facts speak differently, you gotta let them go. There's a group of real bada$$ biker looking looking guys who shoot at the range I go to. I was there one day lobbing tennis balls from my SKS and they showed up. Playing with an SKS grenade launcher is a good conversation starter. I got talking with them. They shot a few tennis balls, I shot an AK and an Uzi. I see them there from time to time and we always talk. The one guy often brings a really nice Buckmark that my boys usually end up shooting. Definitely good guys.
At the range, for the most part, barriers come down because beneath it all, we're all just folks who like to shoot.
mnw42
Member
I like teaching women how to shoot. They have fewer bad habits to unlearn.
I try not to pass judgment until the person in question opens their mouth. Firearms are a unique topic to discuss, typically you can get a good bead on a persons character after chatting for 5 min.
I try not to pass judgment until the person in question opens their mouth. Firearms are a unique topic to discuss, typically you can get a good bead on a persons character after chatting for 5 min.
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