MoscowMike
Member
The thread about how to deal with guns while trying to sell your house is interesting. Lots of thoughts about moving gun and reloading supplies out of the house, locking them in a closet or generally hiding the fact that you have firearms. A followup thread about strangers in the house discusses the risks of contractors and other strangers knowing about your collection.
I can understand the issue of upsetting some buyers, and laying yourself open to theft. You do want to stage the house so it's attractive but when you are afraid people would know you are interested in guns it's just another example of hiding. We want people to accept the fact that guns are useful tools and a fun hobby, but when we conceal our interest, people don't know how common firearms ownership is.
Folks posting on gun boards often say that they won't have NRA stickers on their car, and that they try to conceal the fact that they are taking guns out to the range. In todays climate I can understand the concern, the personal risks that you take by making it obvious you own and use guns.
In years past gay and lesbian people had the same attitude. The risks were too high, so they only revealed their true selves to people they trusted. Eventually there was a movement to come out of the closet, to reveal how many people who otherwise seemed "Normal" were gay or lesbian. The argument was that if the general populace knew how many people they dealt with on a regular basis were gay, they would have a harder time discriminating against them.
Are we in the same position that the LGBT populace was in years past? When I was growing up gun ownership and use was seen as common, but over the last fifty years the perception has changed. Many gun owners have retreated into their bubble, hiding their true lives.
I think we cannot win even grudging acceptance from the general populace without taking the risk, coming out of our closet and being more open about our interests and hobbies. Gun haters won't likely change, but the average person who doesn't think they know anyone who owns guns or shoots in matches might be more thoughtful if the family down the street is open about their interests.
Of course if you only want to talk about Mozambique Drills and being ready for the zombie apocalypse you might not find as much acceptance as we would like.
It's easier for me to advocate this as a retired man living in North Idaho. I don't have the same risks as someone living in a Seattle downtown condo or working for Levi Strauss in San Francisco. But social change often takes people willing to take risks. Protecting your valuables, whether it's jewelry or guns, isn't the same thing as hiding your lifestyle.
Should we be more open, and if so, what are good strategies?
(Similar post on The Firing Line)
I can understand the issue of upsetting some buyers, and laying yourself open to theft. You do want to stage the house so it's attractive but when you are afraid people would know you are interested in guns it's just another example of hiding. We want people to accept the fact that guns are useful tools and a fun hobby, but when we conceal our interest, people don't know how common firearms ownership is.
Folks posting on gun boards often say that they won't have NRA stickers on their car, and that they try to conceal the fact that they are taking guns out to the range. In todays climate I can understand the concern, the personal risks that you take by making it obvious you own and use guns.
In years past gay and lesbian people had the same attitude. The risks were too high, so they only revealed their true selves to people they trusted. Eventually there was a movement to come out of the closet, to reveal how many people who otherwise seemed "Normal" were gay or lesbian. The argument was that if the general populace knew how many people they dealt with on a regular basis were gay, they would have a harder time discriminating against them.
Are we in the same position that the LGBT populace was in years past? When I was growing up gun ownership and use was seen as common, but over the last fifty years the perception has changed. Many gun owners have retreated into their bubble, hiding their true lives.
I think we cannot win even grudging acceptance from the general populace without taking the risk, coming out of our closet and being more open about our interests and hobbies. Gun haters won't likely change, but the average person who doesn't think they know anyone who owns guns or shoots in matches might be more thoughtful if the family down the street is open about their interests.
Of course if you only want to talk about Mozambique Drills and being ready for the zombie apocalypse you might not find as much acceptance as we would like.
It's easier for me to advocate this as a retired man living in North Idaho. I don't have the same risks as someone living in a Seattle downtown condo or working for Levi Strauss in San Francisco. But social change often takes people willing to take risks. Protecting your valuables, whether it's jewelry or guns, isn't the same thing as hiding your lifestyle.
Should we be more open, and if so, what are good strategies?
(Similar post on The Firing Line)
