Something I've noticed about shooters in the UK

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Pfletch83

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For the most part they seem to be rather narrow minded.

I tried to invite a few folks to some range time,figuring that if they had the chance to see our firearms culture they would have more of a reason to try and change some of the laws in their country so that they could enjoy the freedoms that are currently lost in their country.

What I got for my trouble was banned from the forum.

Lesson learned, let narrow minded people wallow in the mess that they made for themselves.

It has further strengthened my resolve to keep such laws from being passed in the U.S.
 
Can't all posts were deleted and I was shut out of the forum without any explanation at all.

it was the forum at ladies-shooting.UK

I didn't insult anyone or try to tell anyone how to live.

It was an invitation to try a type of shooting that is pretty much outlawed or looked down upon.

I offered free range time and ammo on my own weapons for crying out loud.
 
well im not really sure what to tell you.....

other than dont judge an entire country by an exchange you had with a few people on the internet.......thats just blind ignorance.
 
Well it does kind of mess with a person that is trying to show good will to others in another country.
 
I learned a long time ago that I can only control what "I" think, feel, say, write, do... and can only influence but cannot control what "others" think, feel, say, write, do. If my attempt at influencing others is rejected then I don't really care. I am me. You are you. They are who they are. And I'm fine with that as long as they don't try to force their opinions on others nor cause anyone harm.

In other words, you did your best. Now let it go.:)
 
You needn't look too far, though. You'll find enough Americans who question the need for an 'assault' rifle when, in their opinion, the only need for guns is to hunt or bust clays.
 
They're a terrified minority over there, and are most of all afraid that their (good) NRA will be associated with our (evil) NRA. Shooting in the UK, or what's left of it, seems to be associated with countryside traditions and gentry. There's no place for us wild-eyed yanks and our handguns.

In my experience you'll have more favorable responses from continental European gun owners. The UK, though I love much of it, is a basket case.
 
You needn't look too far, though. You'll find enough Americans who question the need for an 'assault' rifle when, in their opinion, the only need for guns is to hunt or bust clays.
Click to expand...

And to that, I say that busting clays with a 12 gauge is the same as busting a box of them with an AK at 600 rounds per minute.
 
Allow me to pigeonhole Europeans. :evil:

I used to manage a small gun shop here in Kodiak, and we get a fair share of European tourists in the summer. They couldn't buy of course, but I'd let them handle all the guns they wanted. After which, they'd usually buy some fishing gear and be on their way...

Germans love the cowboy stuff and always wanted to handle the Winchester rifles and Colt and Ruger SA's.

The French gravitated to the military style arms and all the plastic guns.

Scandinavians wanted to see the hunting rifles, and were easily as knowledgeable and comfortable with them as Americans.

The British... just looked horrified at the gun racks and I honestly can't recall any of them accepting my offer to handle them. They were like Evangelical Christians accidentally wandering into a porno shop. They were phobic about them.

I know a couple of transplanted Brits who are totally into guns, so they obviously get over it with further exposure.

Edited to add: Russians are totally transfixed with magnum handguns. They absolutely love everything about them.
 
^^^ Don't get me started on EC's and pron.:evil:

But... eh--hem... yeah, some folks have their own ideals and won't listen to others' opinions.
 
Plus I figured that if the ladies got some trigger time on weapons that are "vorboten" in the UK word might spread about and facts would be known,fun would be had....and maybe just maybe I might learn a bit of ENGLISH english from a saucy little lady that would like a certain U.S. country boy so much that said saucy little lady might want stay a fort night or twelve *A guy can dream can't he?*
 
I know right?

It's a good idea in theory....but it just hasn't panned out too well.
 
It is slim pickings indeed to get the locals down to the range, but having said that the numbers are increasing. I now get folks asking when next I am going down to the range. We have a visitors' day on the first Sunday of every month where they can use firearms under supervision.
However, I have had much better response (in general) from South Africans, Kiwis and Ozzies.
I'll admit there is bias in my "selection pool" because I usually invite people from work, and I work in a hospital.
I get about 5 brand new shooters a year from the hospital community, down to the range. Apart from one guy, they all enjoyed it and want to come back.

Pfletch83, you should see if you can get some Saffers, Ozzies and Kiwis to come and visit your range. I suspect you'll get more positive response overall :)
 
mebe you were banned because your invitation sounded more like a craigslist ehem dating post then as you claim an invitation to spread firearms knowledge and "rights"


just saying
 
a good friend of mine who lives in london is very into guns of all types, i keep offering for him to come to the united states
 
Another thing: the "sell" is very important.
I don't sell it as a hardcore blast fest, I come at it from the perspective that it is going to be a relaxed bench session with an easy to use rifle "that kicks so little you'll hardly notice."
I find that's their primary worry and the secondary worry is being ridiculed for not being able to shoot well.
So, I just concentrate on the safety and make their objective to get rounds on paper. With very few exceptions they far exceed that requirement with my R55 Benchmark and they are soon looking hungrily at the SIG522 and various other items available.

The best idea I find is to get couples down (if possible). If you set that up and make it a competition between them, they soon get in the swing of things and enjoy it that much more.
A had a brand new shooting couple down recently. The girl beat the guy when using the benched R55 and the guy beat the girl when standing with the SIG522.
I can usually find something that they will like but I always start with the R55 if it is there.
I even had one female doctor down there using my compound crossbow!
 
"mebe you were banned because your invitation sounded more like a craigslist ehem dating post then as you claim an invitation to spread firearms knowledge and "rights"


just saying"

My thought exactly.
 
I wasn't meaning that as a primary reason for it,but if something mutual were to take place then who am I to complain?

:evil:
 
The British... just looked horrified at the gun racks and I honestly can't recall any of them accepting my offer to handle them. They were like Evangelical Christians accidentally wandering into a porno shop. They were phobic about them.
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I don't know, this guy's a Brit and he seemed to thoroughly enjoy shooting my guns:

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You'll have to guess who it is though. :evil:
 
It was me, your honour, guilty as charged!
:)
Although I must add I am not a genuine born and bred Brit. London has been my home for the last 8 years but South African blood courses through my veins and that can never be neutralised.

Those were good times, Larry, I appreciate that a lot. Still have the Garand clip right here on my desk.
I'll see if I can add some pics from our range here in London, stay tuned...
 
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Pfletch83 said:
For the most part they seem to be rather narrow minded.

I tried to invite a few folks to some range time,figuring that if they had the chance to see our firearms culture they would have more of a reason to try and change some of the laws in their country so that they could enjoy the freedoms that are currently lost in their country.

What I got for my trouble was banned from the forum.

Lesson learned, let narrow minded people wallow in the mess that they made for themselves.

It has further strengthened my resolve to keep such laws from being passed in the U.S.
Click to expand...

You got banned by a narrow minded moderator or the site owner. It isn't like there is a conversation and a court on the web when you get tossed. Good for you for trying though.

Clutch
 
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