How do you break the stereotype of gun owners?

Status
Not open for further replies.
I wear tight Levi's
I put my keys on my belt loop
I have long hair that almost covers one of my eyes
I'm a metal head
I'm an extreme music freak and it's all I care about
I'm a ridiculous geek
I can type fast
I have all my teeth
I do not own a cargo vest
I share both Rep. and Dem. views
I do own a truck but it's a '02 2WD s10
I rarely drink (but it's Pabst so I guess it counts against me)
I play video games CONSTANTLY
I'm 22

I do own and wear a militia hat. But I don't think it's that big of a deal.
 
I'm 47
Straight, but I've got gay friends
I can be a pervert if that's what the lady likes
I can also be a throwback
I wear comfy clothes
4 cyl car, 3/4 ton van and trailer - vehicles are transportation, not freudian
I don't ride motorcycles anymore
Jazz, blues, bluegrass, dead, some country, some rock, some funk
Tubes and big solid state amps and magneplanars
I can type faster
I don't have all my teeth - try catching a football with your mouth sometime
I own a leather vest
My politics pretty much run the gamut
Confederate flags offend me
I used to own a truck. It was painted camouflage where it wasn't covered with bumper stickers
I like cold beer
I hate video games
I think that much of today's youth suffers from television-induced ADHD.
I can outshoot most, if not all, of you on a bench for pure accuracy
I don't put on a hat, and think I'm whatever it says on the front

I can dig the chairman... SOB knew POWER... How to mold it, how to aim it, and how to use it. And when not to.
 
I'm white and southern. That's where my sterotyping ends.

I am Jewish, pro-choice, pro-gay rights, and pro-legalization of drugs. I scored a 1590 on the SAT, was a National Merit Scholar, and attended Vanderbilt University on a scholarship. While there I was president of 3 major community service organizations, served on student government, and served in several honor societies. I graduated magna cum laude in 3 years with honors in my major, and now am at a top-20 medical school planning on a career in pediatric surgery. I am fluent in Spanish and volunteer at free clinics.

And despite all those things, I bought my first long gun at 18, my first handgun at 21, and acquired my first NFA stamps at 22. I've been shooting since I was eight, and I spend my off-weekends teaching other medical students how to safely handle and shoot firearms.
 
I drive a Volvo. A 1988 240 Wagon, even. I felt a bit weird after I drove it to a whole food co-op, but I think having a big black handgun on my belt compensated some of the hippie factor. :)

I have an urge to install a gun rack in the Volvo. Is that wrong?

I fit some stereotypes, but not ones you'd expect. I live in a fairly large city, but I have a non-running car in the driveway, a shotgun, a pair of overalls and a straw hat.
 
Quote: white, uneducated, poor, slob with a Confederate flag in his pickup truck plastered with NASCAR stickers and a bed full of empty beer cans.

I went to college and I hate NASCAR.

You forgot to mention the still and the bull dogs.


Why would I want to break anyone's precieved stereotype? A stereotype is THEIR problem, not mine.

I'm just me. In the non-government school I attended, they crowbarred it into my Cromagnon Cranium that a man is either an honorable man, or he is not. He alone, makes the decision. I chose to be an honorable man.
Anyone elses perception of me is their problem for pre-judging me.
 
What a cool thread. I'm always amazed at the diversity of people I run into at the local range. I've talked to a couple of doctors, software engineering seems to be a popular occupation and I once met a lawyer who was sighting in a rifle he recieved as part of an estate settlement. There are also a lot of retirees and private business owners. I think this thread demonstrates that diversity that quite well.

What I feel I do mostly to break the stereotype of a gun owner is that I talk to my co-workers (many of whom consider themselves "progressives") about shooting like I do it as an everyday kind of thing. They know that I'm educated (two BAs), have a wife and a daughter, I drink very little and many have seen me wearing a kilt so it sort of rocks thier preconcieved notions of what gun owners are like.

While I try not create stereotypes of people myself antis seem to be much more "stereotypical" in thier backgrounds, educations and political orientation than many of the gun owners I've met.
 
I drive a truck and I have a "Florida Terrorist Hunting Permit" on the bumper.
OTher then that I am pretty unassuming, I am agnostic, I love astronomy and gardening.

I love being an american and love being free to do whatever I want.
 
I'm 47
I'm a white male
I believe in a supreme being, but not organized religion
I'm straight and I don't care if you're gay--just don't try to pick me up
I have a BS
I will have my MS in Strategic Intelligence by the end of the year
I would rather watch a cricket match than Nascar, and I don't like cricket
I hunt; rifle, shotgun, compound bow and stick and string
I'd rather fly-fish than hunt
I own a big gas-guzzling 4x4 F-150, but drive a Corolla to save on gas
Global warming does exist, but is naturally occuring
Yes, I drink beer. The cheapest beer I can find. I'm a big fan of the Beast Light
I scored high enough to join Mensa when I was 15
I have 23 different single malts in my pub in the garage
I dip Skoal, but would rather smoke a Cuban cigar
I read at least two and sometimes four books a month; all nonfiction
I'm an Independent voter. I vote for the person, not the party.
 
Last edited:
Why the stereotype is difficult to change

How do we break the STEREOTYPE? That would be most difficult, and here's exactly why.

Stereotypes are most commonly formed in TV and Movies, by script writers who are biased.

Movies & TV dramas, action or human interest stories, rely upon "creating tension" in a story between people, and about people.

Common stereotypes (which are unreal and offensive to me) go along these lines.

RELIGIOUS: people of faith are usually depicted as rural and uneducated, down-homey types that are more superstitious (or stupid-stitious) than rational, logical, or philosophical. In fact, many religious people are well read, self-educated, and clear on basic morality, but you won't see that in modern movies.

GUN-OWNERS: For Hollywood, if you own a gun, you are something of the same stereotype as above. You are a hunter, and if a hunter, you are uneducated and like to shoot indicscriminately in the woods. The term Redneck most likely would fit. Worse, the Redneck isn't a guy with sense, and he is usually the prejudiced person, hating every non-Anglo, hating all the Jews, hating all the Catholics, etc, etc, etc.

Even though the people in USA are more of a melting pot, and less prejudiced against ethnic, racial, and religious groups, Hollywood still characterizes Americans in the worst light.

HOW DO WE CHANGE THIS?

Fight fire with fire, by creating production companies which produce entertaining movies in a realistic light. The people can be portrayed as stronger patriots, wiser in human nature, more aware of history. Such movies could show gun owndership and gun-knowledge in a positive and defensive role.

But it will take decades to reverse the patterns of ignorant and biased stereotyping, and frankly, we don't have the luxury.

Think about it. Even Bikers or just Motorcycle Enthusiasts have "Orange County Choppers" to popularize their image.

All we got is the occasional show on cable TV on history of the Gun or something.
 
Didn't even own a gun until after age 40.
Classical, progressive rock, latin, jazz, blues, old-school country, bluegrass.
Blue jeans, cowboy hat
Honda Accord, not a pickup truck
Computer programmer
Cats

My favorite hobby is beating prejudice over the head with evidence.
 
I am an AIP er ( Alaskan Independence Party ).
A Grandfather.
I am 56 years old and have a BA in business.
I dislike being called an America.
I like dogs and cats.
I think the US government is corrupt and incompetent.
Like pretty much every one I meet, my friends range from friends of animals folks to trappers, about 1/3 of my friends are people of color , and none are invisible.
I don't watch any sports , or Television for that matter.
I curl , and snowmachine in the winter, Fish (prefer fly fishing) ,hunt and hike in the summer.
I run my own business and mind my own business.
I have a large library and read about 1 book a week.
I drink wine mostly , and prefer Sauvignon blanc .

I am surprised we all get along as well as we do, fundamentally our singular interest in firearms and some civility keeps this group interested and together. Which reminds me: An armed society is a polite society
 
Last edited:
Well, I guess I'm gonna $%#& the mold all up.
I'm southern.
I'm Baptist.
I don't agree with gay marriage.
I don't agree with abortion.
I'm mostly a Republican, but not really sure what a Reublican is any more.
I'm white.
I'm male.
I've never hit a woman or kicked a dog.
I drive a 4 wheel drive truck, but it was made by a Japanese company.
I'm not racist.
I'm a veteran.
I'm working on a bachelor's degree in public relations.
I like to write, mostly poetry and short stories.
I don't enjoy reading unless its gun, hunting or war related.
I don't drink much but when I do it's usually Maker's Mark or an import beer.
I like to hunt and fish.
I love college football, but I'm not so crazy about pro football.
I'm proud to be an American, but realize that America ain't what it used to be.

Apply that to your mold and let me know how it works out for ya.
 
Part of the propoganda is that gun control is a "leftist thing." Gun control is an authoritarian thing.
Click to expand...

I have really enjoyed reading through this thread (though I haven't gotten to every post), but that bit quoted above is the one thing I'd like to emphasize. Calling (or thinking of) "gun control" -- as in the tyrannical variety, not "aiming straight" -- as being the product of so-called leftist politics, and assuming that those who use "leftist" as a pejorative will necessarily be pro-gun, or at least in any way that matters, is dangerous.

And wrt the original topic, evidently I don't fit the stereotype very well, because most people seem very surprised I'm interested in guns. More than one has said (paraphrased, but not much): "But you don't seem violent at all!" (Which means a) they need to adjust their stereotypes and b) they have not seen me looking for a badly labeled road at night ;))

timothy
 
I'm:

Asian,
Do not smoke or drink,
Don't watch much T.V. - so no NASCAR, football, any ESPN,
Have a Bachelors and Masters in Mechanical Engineering,
Don't wear wifebeaters nor do I beat my wife,
Don't really practice any religion, but am not bothered by others that do either,
Am not offended by gay or lesbian people,
Don't hunt but am not bothered by others that do either,
Like to tinker around my yard gardening, growing herbs, vegetables,
Like to read,
Am able to build my own computers and set up a simple home network with a router,
Like to have well-maintained cars that don't sit and sprout grass :D.
 
How do i break the gunowner stereotype?
- My IQ is rated in the top 5% (though not the top 2%, i failed the MENSA entrance test.)
- I dont own, nor have i ever owned a pickup truck.
- I drive a tiny French convertible (Peugeot 205 CJ -1989)
- I dont own a Harley (though i do own two Yamaha 750s)
- I dont enjoy watching or participating in sports (other than shooting)
- I am quite literate and read 20-50 books a year, mostly sci-fi.
- I own no porn.
- Though i have many prejudices, i strive to not be ruled or limited by them.
- I am quite fluent in one foreign language and can make myself understood in one more.
- I have some University education.
- I am in many ways a Geek (i am into RPGs, not D&D though).
- I Actually dont own a firearm (but i am beginning the process to aquire one or seven)
- I do not hunt (though i plant to start hunting)

How do i fit the stereotypes?
- I am a White Christian Straight Male.
- Some prejudiced people consider me overweight.
- I am Usually dressed rather in what was clean at the moment, than in good taste.
- I own four cars, none of them newer than nineteen years, only three of them roadworthy and at least two of them the European rednecks equivalent of a Rusty Banged up F150 Truck.
- I like big dogs (though i have only ever owned small dogs).
- My hairstyle is either Shaved or (presently) Shaved nine months ago.
- I have actually eaten roadkill (Hey, shame to waste a nice deer just because you happened to hit it with 2500 kilograms of Mercedes instead of with 12 gauge buckshot)
 
well, the obvious is that i am female and younger (24). I'm also agnostic, pro-life and i support the LBGTT community. i have some college education. i read for fun. in my life there is a diffrence between the movies and the theater. for example the theater is were you go to see opera, and the movies is were you go to see stuff produced by hollyweird. i can quote shakespeare. i don't hunt and i consider watching NASCAR in the same mindset that i consider going to the dentist and almost as bad as watching golf. oh, and i listin to rock.
i do fit the 'sterotype' in that i'm white, southern, libertarian and i listin to bluegrass.
 
Around my parts a stereotypical gun owner is usually your neighbor . It's harder to find a non gun owning home than a gun owning home . I myself am kind of an odd mix of sorts . I'm tattooed neck to wrist and generally go several days without shaving (biker? ) I live in the sticks , drive a pickup , and hunt my land to fill the freezer(hick,hillbilly,redneck?) I do charity work and support causes that help the needy/poor (liberal?) I strongly support restrictions on gov and believe gov has no right to interfere with personal liberty or choices . (conservative? )

I have a fairly broad background , including being a vet , managing warehouses , business owner , etc etc .

Now , this is what's funny about stereotypes . Last summer I happened to be at a local fruit/veggie stand picking up pumpkins for my daughter . Was wearing a tank top and OCing an XD45 .
Just as I walked into the small outbuilding to pay for my goods , a car rolled up with Mass plates . i proceeded to go to the cash box to pay and make change ( it's an honor box , no vendor present) .
As the couple got out and approached the outbuilding they saw me , my tattooes, and my gun and did an about face .
Within 5 minutes the local PD showed up with the mass couple in tow .
After explaining to the couple that I was not robbing the place , and that in fact , it is standard operating procedure to pay and make your own change .And that it is legal to OC , which didn't matter since I have a concealed permit . I could literally see their jaws drop .

Apparently , what is considered "normal" here in my area is not in theres . I can still hear them mumbling about how it's just crazy to have an unattended cash box and people just walking around armed .

Kinda odd . I'm 40 and that cash box has been put out ever since I can remember , yet no one has ever stolen the money . And somehow , with open carry being legal , and people exercising that right , not one person has been shot in anger or over an argument (no blood in the streets) . Oddest of all is that the guy that "looked" like he would be a "criminal type " there to rob the place (me) , was actually the exact opposite of what their minds had preconceived a criminal would look like .

Makes one wonder what opportunities people have passed up simply because they have preconceived notions of what a "type " of person looks like or how/where they live and how they make their living .

My idea of "breaking the stereotype" is simply a handshake and a conversation . happens to also be how I changed ny mind on the "liberal" stereotype that I held for a long time .
 
I about half fit the stereotype I think (mostly because of my wife)

Harvard MBA
White collar exec
Democrat
Drive an import car
Drink Beamish beer
Like to volunteer
Big into conservation
Not a fan of war
Hate NASCAR
Drink mostly fine wine

But
Wife has rotweiller
Wife has SUV
White and Christian
Live in country
Like to hunt
Like to ride motorcycles (not Harleys)
Own lots of guns, load lots of ammo and shoot as much as I can.
 
I'm
literate
intelligent
open minded
My pickup is well maintained, and the only things in the bed (and out of sight under a camper top) are the spare and a set of jumper cables.
and i come from a upper middle class family,

But to look at me though, i strike most as the stereotypical "bubba". big, burly, round faced, white dude, that would look perfectly at home in a pair of overalls. which by the way i haven't worn since i was almost too young to remember it.
 
White, middle-aged (Over what hill? I don't remember a hill!), conservative/libertarian, Christian/Diest, history/political science, retired Army combat arms officer, married man (34 years to the same woman). I'm from Oklahoma, and the only flag I fly is Old Glory.

I'm on my second Chevy pickup, but I have 125cc Taiwanese motor scooter that gets 100 mpg. My wife drives my old PT Cruiser since she succeeded in keeping me from putting a supercharger (not a turbo) on it.

At age 10 I received and still own my first gun, a single shot .22 rifle. I fed my family with that and a shotgun when we were all much younger. I don't have time to hunt now. Hunters and fishermen are the ultimate environmentalists.

I carry concealed revolvers (usually 2). I gotta get an SKS, a Savage Scout rifle, and a Ruger Mini 14 in 6.8 SPC.

Sourmash makes the best whiskey. Until I tasted Sam Adams, I never had an American beer worth the name. Beer doesn't necessarily have to be cold, or even chilled. (Too much time in Germany?) I like white wine. (Prefer German spatleses.)

I have more Diana Krall and Frank Sinatra on my Ipod Shuffle than Roy Rogers or Carlos Santana.

Have raced sports cars and dragsters, but love NASCAR.

Private pilot now looking to add seaplane rating to the ticket or just put floats on my ultralight.

I love sailboats. My grandson and I are building a wooden sailing dinghy in the garage.

Welcome to the United States if you came legally; now, speak English. What don't you understand about the words illegal aliens?

ECS

Stereotype? Sure, why not.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

HKGuns
  • Locked
If you don't vote like a gun owner, YOU SUCK!
2 3 4
Replies
80
Views
3K
Sean Hofhine
S
D
  • Locked
Democrats Put Silencers on Their Anti-gun Agenda
Replies
10
Views
809
Roadkill Coyote
R
H
  • Locked
AP: Candidates Playing It Safe on Gun Issues
Replies
3
Views
347
Geech
G
H
  • Locked
Boston Globe: Democrats aim for new support on gun issues
Replies
17
Views
906
HankB
H
2
  • Locked
Try The American Southfor Real Diversity & Racial Tolerance
Replies
2
Views
1K
rebbryan
R
Back
Top