Posers? poor rookies?

[Greell]

Ok,

So where I work, there are many other people, in various fields. Months ago, they became aware that I am a "gun freak" as they called it.

some of them spoke with me, and I informed them, and we just had discussions about handguns, shotguns, rifles, military, etc.

Well, now, there are like 9 people I work with that went out, and bought guns. They are poorly trained. Have done almost no research, and practically no knowledge of their weapons or factual information (aside from what they have heard, or seen on TV..and we know how accurate that information is)

It even got to a point where one guy bought an XD9, and I asked him what model. He didn't know...HOW CAN YOU NOT KNOW WHAT GUN YOU PURCHASED?!?

then (being incredibly synical) i asked him.."Who made it?" and he said "XD".....WRONG ANSWER JACKASS!

he also tells me, he bought it in the first day put over 1,000 rounds through it....so not only does he not know anything about his gun, but he doesn't know any correct shooting skills.

Maybe I am being over agressive about it.

But as someone who has who has put a lot of time and effort into learning over the years, and trying to be the best to my ability, I almost take it as insulting. ESPECIALLY when they try to correct ME on statements, with their fictional-tv-bull****e! It is ridiculous.

anyone else ever feel like that, when people start buying guns to be masculine, or "cool" ?

I try to educate and teach as best I can, but sometimes I feel like they are too arrogant about things they really don't understand, so they refuse to learn.

 

[Gingerbreadman]

Some folks wont change, no matter how badly you want them to. If they want to be an uber-leet mall-ninja gangsta, just let them be, unless you know that they will do something stupid that can hurt people.

 

[Gord]

Um... so correct them and offer to take them shooting?

You're harping while being unwilling to offer any sort of solution whatsoever. Yes, some people can be damned annoying when they try to look cool by spouting off misinformation, but if they are not corrected that misinformation will just propagate and propagate.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a rookie. I know a lot about computers and guns, not so much about cars or cooking. I'd like to learn, but watch how fast I get turned off and form a negative generalization about cooks or mechanics if they sneer and laugh at me when I say something wrong instead of helping me find the right info.

This thread is pointless.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I try to educate and teach as best I can,

"Who made it?" and he said "XD".....WRONG ANSWER JACKASS!

You called the guy a jackass because he didn't answer the question in the manner you would have liked?

he also tells me, he bought it in the first day put over 1,000 rounds through it....so not only does he not know anything about his gun, but he doesn't know any correct shooting skills.

I guess that makes sense. If a person buys a new gun and puts a lot of rounds through it the first day, then they obviously don't know any correct shooting skills.

But as someone who has who has put a lot of time and effort into learning over the years, and trying to be the best to my ability, I almost take it as insulting

I think a big problem here is a maturity on your part. You are insulted by the ignorance of others and call them names for their ignorance.

 

[Feud]

Last summer I bought my first handgun and the owner of the company I worked for insisted I bring it to show him. I did, and a few weeks later he went out and bought his own first handgun, the shineyist, most expensive gun he could find.

I took it as a compliment, that he thought that something I was interested in was interesting enough to try to emulate. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, if they think enough of you and your hobbies to try to follow you then take it as a compliment and use your influence to help them for the better.

 

[bogie]

I see this as an opportunity to form a workplace shooting club. And it HAS to have safety rules, and everyone needs to know them.

BTW, I've got a shotgun in my safe that I can't right now for the life of me remember exactly the manufacturer or the model number... Guess I must be one of them rank amateurs...

In fact, I don't think I've ever shot it. Gotta do that sometime...

 

[plexreticle]

More gun owners the better. Encourage them to take lessons.

 

[Robert Hairless]

You've evidently had a positive effect on several people. Whatever you did seems to have motivated them to adopt something new. Right now they might just be responding enthusiastically to new experiences. Why not share what you know as and when they're interested in learning.

One of the things you can do for all of them right now is to use your computer to print out some wallet size cards or sheets of paper with Cooper's four rules of gun safety for them. Approach it in a good, positive way and you probably will give them the idea that you're a friend interested in helping them and sharing their joy.

For the rest, why not wait until they ask for your help. Everybody doesn't know something.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Maybe I am being over agressive about it.

Not maybe. Definitely.

We all had to start somewhere. Most folks weren't like some of us, who spent long nights as teenagers reading Gun rags, COTW, etc, etc.

You should be thrilled that you've helped increase the number of gun owners, not feel insulted that they aren't "up to par" per your expectations. They may never be. Doesn't change the fact that they are now polarized on the issue in our favor. That's a good thing, whether they ever fire the gun or not.

 

[Greell]

To tactical ninja:

you evidently missed the last line of the post.

try to educate and teach as best I can, but sometimes I feel like they are too arrogant about things they really don't understand, so they refuse to learn.

to Double Naught Spy:

I didn't call him a jackass...there were no quotations, so it wasn't a quote of a verbal expression. thats just how I felt about it. Had you spoken to this particular person ---whom is condescending ---even to me---about guns --when he failed to even identify his own gun (while a few minutes prior to the conversation insulting my favorite Sig Sauer)---in my head, quietly, flaming him felt appropriate.


as for being over aggressive. Yes I am, in my post. However, I am nothing but polite and patient with those at work. Yes. I have presented a work gun club, to offer to train them and help them. A lot of them want to go shooting sometime, but for whatever reason shrug off the idea of "being instructed"

I always try to teach, as I feel it is my responsibility to teach rookies the ropes (or at least as much as I know, to some people about some things, im sure I'm the rookie too)

but what I find to be insulting, is that, Yes they did find interest in my hobbies, and go get guns, but when I offer to help them, they blow me off, and then continue to pretend to be know-it-alls when I open a discussion on the subjects involving guns.

 

[silverlance]

A lot of rookies will make up stuff, hoping to impress you... or at least make you feel that they too are worthy of being part of the secret club.

I doubt your friend shot 1000 rounds out of his gun in one sitting. And, if he did... I hope he cleaned and lubricated it first.. because otherwise he probably damaged his gun.

 

[Robert Hairless]

but what I find to be insulting, is that, Yes they did find interest in my hobbies, and go get guns, but when I offer to help them, they blow me off, and then continue to pretend to be know-it-alls when I open a discussion on the subjects involving guns.

So they have become gun owners. Learn to live with it. The sun will continue to rise every morning, the birds will sing just as sweetly, and Carolyn McCarthy will remain stupid and will be re-elected by her stupid constituents.

 

[Harvster]

Give 'em some time. I'm sure as they shoot more, read more, etc. they will gain some of the attributes you're looking for. When I got behind the wheel of my first car I wasn't the same driver I am today.

 

[CTPistol]

Sorry Original Poster....but you are the one who comes across like a 12yr old know-it-all. ("posers") LIKE TOTALLY DUDE.

Why not invite them all out for a fun range day and give them some pointers?...what are you trying to prove? that you know all the tactical ninja names on the "XDs"? and they dont? congrats.

put down the latest issue of Combat Handguns and help some fellow newbies out, that would be far more productive.

 

[michiganfan]

Well at least you turned potential gun grabbers into gun owners. That is a great accomplishment. As to the rest you can lead a horse to water...

 

[JDGray]

I've turned four coworkers, into handgun owners. I shoot with them, we have a great time. Some of them, had guns in the past, but theres something contagious about talking about new gun all the time that makes others want them too! Work with them, and you'll pick up some new friends to shoot with.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

It's funny that while you're wailing on them for being inept, you can't even spell "synical" correctly for your complaint thread in a medium where written communication is the key.


We all have to start somewhere. You're not up for the task of being a teacher yet. At least it doesn't seem like it. Maybe you could just start a shooting group with these guys and gals. Make it fun. Take the pressure to be right about the data out of the equation. Ultimately, it doesn't matter if you can regurgitate the name, stock symbol, history, and can burp the names of every product from the Springfield line. What matters is that you got people excited about firearms enough to go out and buy them.
Don't screw everything up by being a killjoy.

Have a little fun with the new gunnies. You are not their gun-sensei. Maybe you could all do some training as a group, with you being a student right beside them to keep perspective.

But, kudos to you for getting more people into guns.

 

[Starship1st]

Talk to them about joining the NRA and considering other gun safety courses. This is the opportunity to get pro gun voters. Ask them if they understand the Second Amendment and how we all should prtect gun owner rights. lol!

NRA MEMBER

 

[Vermont]

bogie had a great idea. Start a shooting club for people from work. You can give everyone an opportunity to teach the others. It will encourage them to do their research.

First meeting - you cover safety and then everyone shoots while practicing safe handling

Second meeting - assign someone else to talk about something they have learned. It could be more safe handling, accuracy, technique, sighting in a gun, RKBA issues, or they could just tell the club all they have learned about their new gun and then everyone goes and shoots, incorporating what they have learned, if applicable

Third meeting - the next person gets a chance to teach something to the group, etc...

This way, they will be encouraged to learn because they won't want to get embarrassed in front of their coworkers by looking like an idiot, and they will also get to be know-it-alls for a day. Try not to correct the person talking unless their mistake is a detriment to safety.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

to Double Naught Spy:

I didn't call him a jackass...there were no quotations, so it wasn't a quote of a verbal expression.

As noted by wheelgunslinger, you are having problems with conveying information for your complaint thread in a medium where written communication is the key.

Yes I am, in my post. However, I am nothing but polite and patient with those at work. Yes. I have presented a work gun club, to offer to train them and help them.

Given the attitude of your post, there was no reason to assume your attitude with your 'jackass' neophytes was any different.

A lot of them want to go shooting sometime, but for whatever reason shrug off the idea of "being instructed"

I always try to teach, as I feel it is my responsibility to teach rookies the ropes

Did you maybe ever stop to think that not every neophyte you know wants your instruction? If they want it, they will ask. You can offer to provide it, but if they turn you down, there is no reason to be insulted or bothered.

 

[Wedge]

At least they are becoming firearms owners.

 

[Joe Demko]

I think Greell has done enough. Because of him, some new gun owners are out there. That is good. Greell, however, seems ill-suited to the task of taking them any further. Based, especially, on his first post, Greell wants this to be about Greell.

But as someone who has who has put a lot of time and effort into learning over the years, and trying to be the best to my ability, I almost take it as insulting. ESPECIALLY when they try to correct ME on statements, with their fictional-tv-bull****e! It is ridiculous.

This shouldn't be about Greell. Not about what insults him and not about anybody having what he considers a proper level of respect for his (presumably) great knowledge of firearms and their use.
What this should be about is the new gun owners learning safety and marksmanship in a friendly atmosphere. At this stage of their development, all it would take is a "teacher" more concerned with massaging his ego than their education to push them back over to the other side of the fence.
Whether they can spout the names and model numbers is less important than whether they can handle their guns safely and shoot them accurately.

I try to educate and teach as best I can, but sometimes I feel like they are too arrogant about things they really don't understand, so they refuse to learn.

No kidding.

 

[Superlite27]

It's obvious to me.

You keep referring to them as "They".

Since "They" obviously aren't anti-2A, I believe that makes "Them" one of "Us". "They", should now be considered "We". Now some of "Us" may be a little more knowlegeable, experienced, and even safer than others no matter where "We" all come from. I wish I was fortunate to have other co-workers that we're interested in firearms. "We" could all go shooting where "We" could learn from each other.

 

[XD Fan]

Be nice to the Newbs. With luck, they will eventually become strong RKBA folks.

 

[mainebear]

Hi Greell: Look at it this way. You kind of got them interested in guns and shooting. They're kind of operating with a pack mentality. They're all excited and want to know everything right this very minute. They don't as individuals want to be left behind the others. Thats why all the posturing and BS and such.

Just keep on doing whatever it was you did that originally got them started. I never saw a copilot that wasn't convinced, deep down inside, that he wasn't a better pilot than his Captain. As time went by and things happened he learned. And, so will they.

Just be patient, like you would with a puppy, go easy with your temper, and they will most likely come along and be just fine. I'm guessing that it's just a stage their going through. Just a stage. Be patient. Soon they will become truly ONE OF US. Then you've got em. heehee