Media

[BlackManWithAGun]

For the thinkers:

We have gun magazines, a few radio shows, a few hunting cable shows and the internet.


What could we do better for media?

 

[Thumper]

Your book was a pretty good start.

Good to see you over here, Ken.

 

[coati]

I'd like to see a weekly syndicated news magazine show on firearms, covering legislative issues, personal protection techniques, shooting sports, events, and equipment reviews.

The format would be positive and entertaining, with segments covering all types of shooters in all age groups. I'm sure there's an audience for this; with the right marketing it would be a financial success, since many defense and hunting related industries lack an effective television market to spend their bucks.

 

[coati]

From his website:

He challenges not only the beliefs of non-shooters but seeks to change the stereotype of the pro-gun community as a whole.

Do you want to be the host?

 

[BlackManWithAGun]

thanks brothers

I would definately give it my best shot (at being the host). Thanx Thumper.

My new focus is communication. Since the book, there is an audio CD, and now the online magazine, www.imakenews.com/ontarget . Check it out. I'd like to branch off with more media for the right minded.

I knew I could get good feedback here. There is so much brain power on this site!

Keep it coming, y' all!

kenn

 

[Greg L]

Unfortunately I don't know if there is a whole lot more that can be done in the current situation. While it would be great to get responsible gun handling/usage worked into the scripts for the main prime time shows it just won't happen when antis are in charge of production.

I think that the print media portion is probably over saturated as it stands now. How many magazines have essentially sold out to their advertisers and give glowing reports about most everything so that their credibility with anyone who is more than a casual reader is gone. For a product review/honest opinion I'll go to places like here to get the opinions of people who have spent their own money on the product and will give a honest review.

Whenever a gun topic comes up on the local talk radio station the phones light up. However the host doesn't bring one up all the time because if it turned into guntalk then people who don't care wouldn't listen anymore. His (seeming) theory is to inject some common sense into the discussion every now and then to try to sway some fence sitters.

The problem is that there isn't a large enough market to really justify (from a business standpoint) a dedicated show for just gun issues. People who want the information will find it. There is a gardening show on the local station on Sat. morning. Gardening doesn't interest me all that much so I know not to bother to turn the radio on to that station at that time. I fear that it would be the same with a dedicated gun format. You would be preaching to the choir and unfortunately the choir is too small to make it a viable option for the number crunchers.

Good to see that you made it over here Ken.

Greg

 

[BlackManWithAGun]

things that make you go hmmmmm

Thanx Greg,

I agree with you on the magazines, but if we are saturated ---there must be some areas we are overlooking.

I will create my own path if I don't like the ones I am traveling on.

Good thoughts all in all. gave me some balance.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Shooting Match Results...

How about shooting match results in the sports section of your local paper?

Simple stuff like that can go a long way to returning firearms to mainstream attention.


The key is to normalize the perception of firearms in the public imagination, rather than segregate them to a special box in people's mind, as something separate, apart and alien from daily life.

 

[coati]

Greg L

I have to respectfully disagree. Take a look at TV listings: there is a specialty show for just about every activity you'd want to think of. The broad spectrum of firearms, shooting sports, self-protection and so on covers a lot of ground.

Yes, there are a lot of well-positioned anti gun types in the media. Those that are not consciously anti-gun are often misinformed. From personal experience, there is also a huge amount of people in the entertainment industry with logical and healthy attitudes towards firearms, and a percentage of those make decisions about what is seen on broadcast and cable.

I'm no salesman, but if I were tasked to sell a broad interest program on firearms I'd hit not only the gun makers but also the large number of really big retail chains that proudly sell products for enthusiasts.

I hope you're wrong about the small choir. I keep hearing the songs; we just need to turn up the volume a little.

 

[Greg L]

Coati,

I was thinking more about traditional network television. I agree that on cable you can find a show on most anything at some time or another.

I think that a good part of the solution was touched on by Geek. Shooting needs to be more mainstreamed rather than just the negative aspect on the news. Once the masses realize that then the choir will begin to grow at a rapid pace.

Greg

 

[bogie]

Traditional media will get the message out to the "true believers" - basically you've got ol' Rev preachin' only to the choir...

The goal here is twofold - get folks to accept shooting sports/self defense as an "everyday" sort of thing, and at the same time, change the mindsets of folks who are either fence sitters, or uneducated hoplophobes...

Writing your local media to include fireams stuff is one way, but unless they see a LOT of letters, high school football will come out. If you're holding a match, put together a press release that is professionally written (so that the sports editor doesn't have to work), and include photos - Make 'em dynamic photos, not just a dozen guys standing around holding trophies. That won't get published unless the newspaper is small and in need of filler. Concentrate on one or two competitors for the photo. Give 'em a disk with the release and a good scan of the photo on it. Do this a few times, then follow up. Have other competitors also follow up - "I know that our club has been sending you guys releases and photos from our matches - are we going to see any of 'em in print?" Show non-traditional people shooting - not just crusty old ex-jarheads.

Pamphletting a university is a good way to get fence-sitters at least thinking/talking - could also result in more publicity. Don't just wander out and start handing out stuff. Folks will trash it, and other folks will want to get in your face and argue. Not good, and will generally prove counter productive. My suggestion would be to print up some of Kenn's or Oleg's stuff (B&W/cheap should be okay) on some bright-colored paper, and armed with a stapler or a big box of thumbtacks, take a few hours walking through classroom/office buildings, and hit every "public" bulletin board (don't do the ones that are "department only" etc...). Also, organizations like Pink Pistols are pretty newsworthy - Print 100 Pink Pistols "meeting notices" for a shooting event at a local range, put 'em up, and stand back - they may not be able to figure out who started it, but I'll bet they'll finish it.

 

[Khornet]

Welcome, Mr. Blanchard!

One thing we can all do is write editorial comment for local outlets. I have been published in three local papers simply by sending them my columns tobe published. I don't mean letters to the editor--they're great, but nothing says it like a thoughtfully written piece smack in the middle of the editorial page. Many papers have 'Guest Commentary' slots.

So sit down at the word processor, folks. Pick a single gun-related isssue, and compose. At first it may be a lot of work, but after a while it comes easier. And if you're a TFL/THR type you have a wealth of info and tons of friends for fact-checking, editing, etc.

The public needs to know that there are lots of normal people who beleive in RKBA. Speak up!

 

[coati]

Greg L

Indeed. There was a thread recently on TFL, I think, about the relatively recent (a decade or two) demonization of guns on network tv.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Ken! Welcome aboard and glad to see you here.