Toe vs. Heel

[DT Guy]

On thing I learned in martial arts is that fights are won or lost based on who is on their toes (attacking) and who is on their heels (defending.)

While I realize we have to fight off Moms Demand Stuff and Bloomingidiot, I have personally determined that I will no longer focus on defending the right to own guns; I will be promoting gun ownership.


Instead of waiting for anti's to start conversations, I'm going to start conversations; instead of defending how guns don't cause crime, I'm going to start discussing how they prevent it.

A simple distinction, to be sure, but I believe it's time for us to stop feeling like second class citizens, or like we have something to account for, every time some zany uses a gun to hurt people. I'm set on 'forward' from now on.

Not sure if I explained this well, but it's been a sea change for me, and I think if more of us do it, it will have a cumulative effect.


Larry

 

[ATLDave]

Just be careful you don't end up too far out over your toes, falling face-first into the ground. See, e.g., OCT guys in Chipotle.

 

[hso]

That's a good philosophical position, but do you have any more details than that so others can put it to use?

 

[DT Guy]

HSO,

It's still a bit nacent, but here's what I've got:

1. START gun conversations where I think there's ground to be gained. I'm typically 'quiet' about my gun ownership, to avoid any unpleasantness, but from now on I'm going to proselytize, politely.

2. Be ready to to actively refute 'wrong' facts and comments; know my statistics and facts to counter arguments, rather than 'politely' letting folks spew nonsense.

3. Start being more open about being a gun owner. I've let society stigmatize me, I think, into quietness; I've nothing to be ashamed of. I DO NOT wear the sins of Newtown, or Gabby, or anyone/where else; if I'm a normal, productive person (and I think I am) then I can be an example of what a 'real' gun owner can be, and potentially counter all those stereotypes.

As said, still working on it, but I'm going to be 'out' (to steal a term from the gay community) from now on, and I'm going to be proud.


Larry

 

[herkyguy]

I agree with #2 and #3, but I not the type to start conversations about sensitive topics. I'll defend my gun ownership all day long if pressed on it and freely discuss CCW with anyone who asks, but in just about everything in my life, I try not to be the guy pushing my views on others.

 

[JRH6856]

HSO,

It's still a bit nacent, but here's what I've got:

1. START gun conversations where I think there's ground to be gained. I'm typically 'quiet' about my gun ownership, to avoid any unpleasantness, but from now on I'm going to proselytize, politely.

2. Be ready to to actively refute 'wrong' facts and comments; know my statistics and facts to counter arguments, rather than 'politely' letting folks spew nonsense.

3. Start being more open about being a gun owner. I've let society stigmatize me, I think, into quietness; I've nothing to be ashamed of. I DO NOT wear the sins of Newtown, or Gabby, or anyone/where else; if I'm a normal, productive person (and I think I am) then I can be an example of what a 'real' gun owner can be, and potentially counter all those stereotypes.

As said, still working on it, but I'm going to be 'out' (to steal a term from the gay community) from now on, and I'm going to be proud.


Larry

That is what I have done for as long as I can remember. Welcome to the fray.