Volunteer to help new gun owners?

[ID-shooting]

While I haven't see hard data as to how many of the panic buyers are new gun owners vs. existing owners I do suspect a large number are. I even suspect a few are new "closet" owners (especially among our local "liberal" community)

A few of my FB friends that are current/former military/LEO are reaching out via repeated public FB posts and offering to take these new owners to the range and teaching them about their new guns.

As a group, what do you think? Would you volunteer a weekend or two to show someone who had never owned but panic bought how to enjoy their new AR/AK?

This post is exactly to what I am referring to:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=704702

Perhaps someone with experience and local to him might offer to spend a couple hours showing the new owner what all the "buttons" do, how to clear a stoppage, safely swap mags, trigger discipline, range safety, proper maintenance, and what accessories that are worth while.

Perfect opportunity to grow a new shooter or a new "Fudd."

 

[kayak-man]

Absolutely. If one of my friends became a gun owner over night, I'd definitely volunteer to teach them how to shoot, and maybe even some of the cleaning and maintenance (Granted, I'm probably the last person who should be teaching that... I just wipe everything down and oil it)....

Chris "the Kayak-Man" Johnson

 

[TheDaywalkersDad]

I used to take a lot of new shooters to the range. That's come to a halt as ammo prices have increased while availability has decreased. I always made it a point to take a lot of Libs and Democrats to the range in the hope that they might vote guns at least at the local or state level.
Sadly this hasn't happened and I have to admit that I'm done with those that won't support their 2nd Amendment rights. I know that you might say that this is a good chance to convert someone to our side but the people that I know are simply too caught up in the Obama fanaticism to think straight.
The deal breaker for me was when I couldn't get a single gun owning Dem to use the Ruger "Contact Your Legislators" link. One gentleman that owns an AR and a Glock actually looked fearful at the thought of not supporting his party and "The One." I wish that I was exaggerating. He looked like a deer in the headlights when I pulled the sight up on the computer.
Another gentleman spoke with reverence while stating, "Obama wouldn't be doing this if it wouldn't work." I should point out that he asked me to teach his wife to shoot, stated that they want CCW permits and he owns a Hi Point. The irony and hypocrisy was a bit overwhelming.
People have a right to vote for whom they want and to support the causes that they find important. They don't have a right to my time and I've decided to help those that will help themselves.
Those on the fence are OK. They may come around.
Those that helped put the gun grabbers in office... If they can't show me a NRA membership card then I won't even consider taking them to the range unless they are a VERY good friend.
You're a good man if you're willing to give up your time to help beginners. You should be commended. I have nothing but respect for you and those like you. I was there up until November.
I am willing to help the beginners but after the last few months I've decided to become a bit more picky about who I help.

 

[H.m.B]

While I don't necessarily subscribe to the other person's political beliefs, I do find consolation in a shared interest ... An interest that benefits us all. Gun ownership is supported by folks from all political persuasions and anytime that I can help foster this interest ... I do it.

 

[XD Fan]

I have already done this twice since the beginning of the year. I love it. I have convinced both new gun owners that they had to Join the NRA. I hope to do this some more.

I even gave one guy box of 9mm because he bought a new CZ75 and could not find ammo to shoot in it.

 

[taliv]

i used to do that for free pretty much constantly. in january, i started scheduling 1 class per month doing pretty much exactly what you're talking about. i charge a modest fee though because i want them to take the class seriously and not view it as a goof off range session. (and also to cover my insurance, targets etc)

i even set aside several thousand rounds of M193, which I offer to students at 50 cents/rnd to make it more affordable.

if anyone is interested in setting up their own local n00b panic classes, PM me and I will share the flyer I use, which you are welcome to copy.

 

[Havok7416]

I do this all the time with new shooters next to me at the range or people who are completely new to shooting. Just yesterday I offered a brand new shooter access to the guns I had with me and walked her through all the basics. She went home with a promise to me that she would return, which I view as a success. There have been dozens of people like her that I have helped in a similar fashion in the last five years.

 

[ErikO]

That is exactly why I am getting my Instructor certification.