Millions of new gun owners/thousands of new THR members

[DustyGmt]

Guy's we get that THR and THR members aren't always ideal or uphold the ideals of THR. Maybe that's why this thread is here. To remind everyone to try to be tolerant when we see new to shooting folks bringing all the same old same old we've seen before.

As pointed out, we were all new once and folks gave us a helping hand and resisted throttling us for the goofy myths we believed and clung to. Be tolerant, be helpful, if someone is being dangerous or rude walk away and simply report them if they won't accept gentle correction and let the Staff address them.

It's amazing the type of silly things you could once believe, especially if someone you trust or respect tells you something that's off base. It's not exactly a lie but it ain't telling the truth either. Usually hyperbole or someone jaded from one bad experience passing it off from one to the next.

I actually thought glocks were junk when I was a pup. My uncle didn't have very warm sentiments about them and a game warden who was talking with my father said they were pure junk. He said the same for the 9mm. I'm glad I learned a thing or two on my own. Some people hear something and nothing you can say will ever change their mind.

I learned a good bit from just observing people here, it's a good place to be. I probably asked some dumb questions, I know there are some dumb ones I didn't ask too. Lol

 

[hso]

Ohhhhh, I sure asked some silly stuff and expressed some sillier opinions! Fortunately I was a quick learner.

 

[Mars5l]

I just passed the one year mark. When do I get my members only jacket?

 

[hso]

I just passed the one year mark. When do I get my members only jacket?

Your secret decoder ring went out in December, along with your THR invoice. Tracking says it is currently in Narnia along with my pre war Finnish AF P35 and 5,000 rounds of 115gr 9mm ball.

 

[Legionnaire]

Be tolerant, be helpful, if someone is being dangerous or rude walk away and simply report them if they won't accept gentle correction and let the Staff address them.

This. Over the years I have sent PMs to a number of folks, some new, some not, trying to help them learn the ropes of THR. Almost all have been thankful for the feedback. I have learned much here and have benefited from the input from others who know more than I on a topic. Point is, we don't have to leave it all up to the mods.

 

[Howland937]

- this would be a wonderful thread - -except for the fact that I've lost count over the last 20 years when someone new here was either broomed by a staff member or told to "use the search function" or rudely told to read the FAQs or told in not so many words, we have a bunch of posts that ask that we don't need another - and the closed the thread.

I was never a member of any other forums before I got to THR, so even though site navigation is pretty simple I didn't know anything about search functions or what the heck a sticky was. I imagine what it would be like for say, my dad who's even less tech savvy than me (seriously...)

Then there's the possibility of things being "lost in translation", especially if someone is entirely new to firearms in general or even just specific aspects. Most of us don't always know what we don't know, even though we try to. The expectation from others, that we should know, can be frustrating.

 

[GAF]

Treat all the new people like you want to be treated, a little grace, a little respect and a lot of good information.
Patience grass hopper. All i have to teach I did not learn in one day.

 

[Bfh_auto]

OK, my one attempt to mitigate.

Yes, we have a search option and there's Google, but somewhat rudely referring newbs to that rather than answering their common question is a put off. Thin skinned ones will not return. I won't go back to the airgun section here because of that, and I'm not particularly thin skinned. What's common to you is new to them.

Patience will reward us with new members who will stick around and maybe get deeper into the hobby. It's not like we can't use greater numbers...

I've seen people advise me people to use the search button both politely and very impolitely.
I try to do it after answering their question as well as I can.
In some people's defense. Searching on Google using THR as an add-on gives me better results than the search box up top.

 

[Citron]

I am currently on 5 forums, and usually join a forum for every interest I have. Many I have given up because I lost interest in the subject. I have yet to find a forum that had a decent search function. Telling people to use the search function is less than helpful.

The worst forum I have been on was a bird dog forum. If you asked a question the general response was "talk to your breeder" or "read a book" only not as nice. I only made it about two weeks.

 

[hso]

I was never a member of any other forums before I got to THR, so even though site navigation is pretty simple I didn't know anything about search functions or what the heck a sticky was. I imagine what it would be like for say, my dad who's even less tech savvy than me (seriously...)

Then there's the possibility of things being "lost in translation", especially if someone is entirely new to firearms in general or even just specific aspects. Most of us don't always know what we don't know, even though we try to. The expectation from others, that we should know, can be frustrating.

This is a perfect example of why the assumptions that "new shooter" = young tech savey doesn't apply. I have not talked to a single 20-something who was buying their first firearm this year. They've all been 30, 40, 50, and even 60 years old. Remember our own Old Lady New Shooter who never owned a firearms until AFTER she joined here.

So, it is best not to assume the person asking a question or quoting some myth is a kid. They may be older than you and even less familiar with the forum ins and outs. Helping hands come in all ages.

 

[reedman]

Saw a news item this morning that the FBI reported there were 4.3 million background checks in January 2021.

 

[Dudedog]

Treat all the new people like you want to be treated, a little grace, a little respect and a lot of good information.
Patience grass hopper. All i have to teach I did not learn in one day.

Very close, perfect with a minor edit...

Treat all the new people like you want to be treated, a little grace, a little respect and a lot of good information.
Patience grass hopper. All i have to teach I did not learn in one day.

(and I have forgotten at least 1/2 of what I have learned...)

New gun owners are critical to the survival of the 2nd, we need to do everything we can to make it a positive experience.

 

[MartinS]

And remember this is an electric campfire where all in the fire light exchange ideas in conversation and telling someone "Google is your friend" is just another way of saying "Get lost boy, you bother me."

 

[DustyGmt]

I was never a member of any other forums before I got to THR, so even though site navigation is pretty simple I didn't know anything about search functions or what the heck a sticky was. I imagine what it would be like for say, my dad who's even less tech savvy than me (seriously...)

Then there's the possibility of things being "lost in translation", especially if someone is entirely new to firearms in general or even just specific aspects. Most of us don't always know what we don't know, even though we try to. The expectation from others, that we should know, can be frustrating.

I can 100% identify with that. People I encounter on jobs and in daily life automatically assume because I'm from the most special, loved and hated generation (millennial) I'm automatically going to be able to help them with all the new technology. I didn't even get an iPod until about 10-12 years after they came out. Didn't have a smartphone for quite a few years either. I'd say I'm pretty late to the table on things for someone my age who is supposed to be at the pinnacle of tech fitness, this day and age. People ask me about Facebook, instagram, tweeting, snapchat, etc... I don't fool with any of it except a couple forums and plugging in a Google search, lol.

It's kind of funny how some of the ol timers have a better handle on tech/site functions than me.

But I think I've struck a pretty good balance. Less stress in my life. Some of the stuff I've read in passing glances into that whole wastebook, twittersphere just makes my blood boil..... it's all got a "dark side" vibe to it.

THR is awesome though.....great bunch of guys, and a few gals too....