Gungnir
Member
Ok, there have been a lot of threads on words that we shouldn't use to describe various firearms that we own. In those discussions there have been mention of people who are not anti-gun but do not keep, own or sometimes have never fired a gun of any sort.
These are the silent majority of the US who we need to bring onside, to help in stopping the Anti-gun faction from restricting our rights. If each one of us does this with one person, we can educate them, we might not convert them to our cause, but might give them a real world view of firearms and their capabilities, and let them see through the smokescreen of the Brady's of the world when they see them on TV.
So here is my idea.
Finally go for the burgers, ask them about their experience, find out whether they enjoyed it. Would they go again. Have they learned anything. I'm pretty sure that they'll be full of questions about your guns, why you have them and so on. Tell them, tell them your beliefs in gun ownership, and gun control, but, be polite, and listen to their perspectives too.
If somehow you convert them, and they take up shooting, get them to pay it forward too. Give them 6 months or so, then politely ask that they do the same thing for someone else you did for them.
If we all give this a shot, (say in the next month) I'm pretty sure that we could correct a bunch of misgivings that the silent majority has on guns and gun ownership. They can see firsthand, how we handle firearms, the care and safety we take, the rules we follow (like what's behind your target), and the enjoyment and security we derive from owning firearms. People talk too, so changing one persons perspective, could affect a lot more than just that person.
If you think this is a dumb idea, let me know, if you think its a good idea, let me know. If you do this, let me know.
These are the silent majority of the US who we need to bring onside, to help in stopping the Anti-gun faction from restricting our rights. If each one of us does this with one person, we can educate them, we might not convert them to our cause, but might give them a real world view of firearms and their capabilities, and let them see through the smokescreen of the Brady's of the world when they see them on TV.
So here is my idea.
- Find someone you know, could be a work colleague, neighbor, someone you know at the gym, your local bar, etc. IMPORTANT they must be a non-gun owner, if they're violently anti you'll find out
- Discuss your interest in guns, with them, and invite them to the range with you, for a hour or so plinking. Repeat the first two points until you find a taker. You can also explain that you're doing this to try to let them see for themselves about guns and gun ownership, how they work etc. or point them at this thread.
- Tell them you'll bring the guns, and ammo, eyes and ears, targets, and pay any range fee's but they can pay for burgers, or whatever afterwards.
- On the day, take them to the range, ideally with several guns but at minimum, one handgun, and one rifle, give them a run down on safety procedures. When its safe to fire (if it's a cold range), how to handle the weapons, range rules etc.
- Shoot the weapon first, so they can experience the noise, and observe what you do. Answer any questions once you're clear.
- Let them shoot, pay close attention to them and others there. These people are novices, this is meant to be a good learning experience not a nightmare. Them getting ejected by the RSO is a really bad idea. As is them shooting you, themselves, getting rained on with hot brass from the yahoo in the next lane etc.
- Repeat a couple of times with each weapon, or until they get tired.
Finally go for the burgers, ask them about their experience, find out whether they enjoyed it. Would they go again. Have they learned anything. I'm pretty sure that they'll be full of questions about your guns, why you have them and so on. Tell them, tell them your beliefs in gun ownership, and gun control, but, be polite, and listen to their perspectives too.
If somehow you convert them, and they take up shooting, get them to pay it forward too. Give them 6 months or so, then politely ask that they do the same thing for someone else you did for them.
If we all give this a shot, (say in the next month) I'm pretty sure that we could correct a bunch of misgivings that the silent majority has on guns and gun ownership. They can see firsthand, how we handle firearms, the care and safety we take, the rules we follow (like what's behind your target), and the enjoyment and security we derive from owning firearms. People talk too, so changing one persons perspective, could affect a lot more than just that person.
If you think this is a dumb idea, let me know, if you think its a good idea, let me know. If you do this, let me know.
