I've noticed a subtle change locally...

[kymarkh]

I've noticed a subtle change for the better locally (Greater Cincinnati area) as far as our local media and the subject of firearms is concerned. First off let me state that I work for the local newspaper but not in an advertising or editorial function - I work in the I.T. department.

Within the last month or so I have seen alot more Ads for 'firearms or shooting related' products in the newspaper. The first was a nice sized ad for Henry Rifles that I was very surprised to see in the paper. Then a gunshop in Kentucky placed a full page ad listing firearms and reloading supplies. Then another gunshop had a decent sized ad. These were not in the Sunday paper with the ?-mart and grocery ads, these were in the Sports section of the daily newspaper. Usually only see that at the very beginning of hunting season, if at all. Then a local radio station had one of their personalities broadcast from a local range one morning. Another big surprise.

There may be parts of the country where gunshop and firearms related advertisements are normal, but around here they are pretty rare. Or maybe I'm just now noticing it. Either way, I just thought I would share this with the group and find out if this is happening elsewhere.

 

[kir_kenix]

this is good to hear. expanding the sport to new people is always a good thing for us.

i just wish i could see a glock commercial followed by a sa xd commercial during a football game. kinda that ford/chevy/dodge thing they have always had going on. "xxxx has the best handeling and largest capacity in its class..." "more powerful then our competitors..." "for those serious about self defence..."

 

[bogie]

So, the Enquirer?

Believe it or not, more and more -reasonable and logical- folks are realizing that boomsticks aren't evil like they hear from the doomcryers.

 

[Car Knocker]

I've read that newspaper readership is in decline. A declining subscriber base means that additional revenues must be sought. Perhaps actively seeking firearms ads is one of the ways newspapers are using to increase revenue.

 

[elrod]

Or prehaps they are anticipating gun bans after the November election?????

 

[Henry Bowman]

The introduction of legal CCW in Ohio has a great deal to do with guns being recognized (even if begrudgingly) as something that people other than police, hunters, or criminals own. I have not, however seen the local newspaper or TV news exhibit an increase in firearms knowledge nor any tempering of gun "hype" (especially on TV).

 

[FieroCDSP]

I guess it depends on how hard you look, but I do see a strengthening of the 2A here. Ohio is largely a conservative state. Even the Liberals here are not even close to as liberal as the East or West Coasts. Hunting is still a family thing, and there's still places to do it. There's still farm land to protect from ground hogs and coyotes. There's a growing drug problem, with Meth labs and pot farms being built in basements. Violent crime is on the rise in some areas. The weather changes from moment to moment.
All of these and more, plus the re-defining and pre-emption of the CCW laws have resulted in an upturn for the ranges and larger classes for conceal carry. You can still get hi-cap mags (30 rounds or less, by law as recall), almost any gun you want (none of this Authorized list crap), and you're not more than an hour away from a place to practice with it.

I think what you're seeing in the paper is more revenue driven, but if you ask 100 people on the streets at random, you're going to get 40% support for the 2A, 25% or less against, and the rest can be swayed to the 2A side with enough work and factual data.

 

[kymarkh]

I heard 2 more radio ads for guns on the drive in this morning - one for Target World and one for Bass Pro. Maybe these ads have always been around and I'm just now noticing them for the first time. I don't know. But it's nice to hear something on the air or see something in print about MY hobby for a change.

Yeah it's the Enquirer, and things are not what they used to be here. Anyone knows of a local AS400 shop that's hiring, let me know.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I've read that newspaper readership is in decline. A declining subscriber base means that additional revenues must be sought. Perhaps actively seeking firearms ads is one of the ways newspapers are using to increase revenue.

The more your customer base shrinks, the more attention you've got to pay to the few you have left. Belatedly, a few newspaper owners and editors are realizing ignoring their customers wasn't the course of wisdom.

 

[Rachen]

You can't believe what I saw in a New York paper guys!

I was reading AM New York a couple of months ago, and in the back where they have hundreds of advertisements, there was one for a sporting goods shop, WITH GUN LISTINGS Saw Benelli's, Rugers, Glocks, Para, and Kimber.
This is a NY paper by the way. I picked it up from a seat on the F train I ride to work on everyday.

Several other papers had them too. Including Daily News. And FYI, Daily News is one of the most anti gun. Yet they still have pages for us sportsmen.

I truly hope the good trend continues, and all the negativity about guns end. Because otherwise, we would have to restrict automobiles too. They are dangerous weapons too, aren't they?

 

[AntiqueCollector]

There's been an increase in crime locally, and for that matter, nationwide. But...despite some extreme antis public opinion is not in favor of increased gun control. If this were 15 years ago the federal AWB and other new restrictions would of been passed already with all the high profile shootings, but it hasn't yet...I think people are waking up slowly more and more that gun control doesn't work, and that having guns for protection "might" not be such a bad idea...but don't let the good news make anyone complacent, the gun grabbers are very determined to undermine all the success in recent years of Second Amendment supporters.