We need more Gun Owners! How?
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wally
Member
Lower prices for guns and ammo?
--wally.
--wally.
Education. As long as people remain unfamiliar with firearms, they will be susceptible to the shrill cries of "guns are dangerous killing machines" coming from the unenlightened. The solution is to introduce as many people as possible to the shooting sports. I constantly offer to take people shooting if they show a hint of interest when they find out I own guns. Many are eager to accept, and while I teach them the basics of shooting, I also teach them about gun politics and why gun bans are not a wise answer to society's ills.
Jorg Nysgerrig
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I think it would be more effective to get those who already own guns that aren't active to be involved in some way. 121 Million people voted in the 2004 Presidental Election. Gun ownership is estimated at between 40 and 80 million people. There are what, 4 million NRA members? Even if you say that half the politically active gun owners don't want to have anything to do with the NRA because of their policies and are in other groups, that still means you've only got somewhere between 10-20% of gunowners active.
Instead of trying to convince more people they should own guns, why not try for the low hanging fruit of those who already do?
Instead of trying to convince more people they should own guns, why not try for the low hanging fruit of those who already do?
damien
Member
I hate to say it, but with what has happened in Wisconsin and the Petit family in Connecticut, people become more aware that the police can't always help. I think the news itself is creating more gun owners.
BridgeWalker
Member
.22
Non-threatening, lots of low-cost guns of every flavor, most of which look like an old farm gun, or what people think it would look like. Cheap. Little noise/recoil. Minimal problems with shooting wherever zoning permits. In fact I hope to get a Ruger Bearcat and a Mark II/III as soon as I can, mostly for taking friends (and eventually my daughter) to the range.
This is just a theory mind, since the first gun I fired was a 16 gauge single shot and it was love at first kick to the shoulder, but it's my own personal plot for getting some of my women acquaintances and their husbands to the range. I dunno about the husbands though. It's so hard to get guys to go
My other thought is to get the children. That sounds really crass. But I've noticed that even slightly-left-of-center folks want ther kids "well-rounded" and are open to all kinds of activities the parents themselves would never think of trying. So, grab the nieces and nephews and cousins and neighbors and such. I
Non-threatening, lots of low-cost guns of every flavor, most of which look like an old farm gun, or what people think it would look like. Cheap. Little noise/recoil. Minimal problems with shooting wherever zoning permits. In fact I hope to get a Ruger Bearcat and a Mark II/III as soon as I can, mostly for taking friends (and eventually my daughter) to the range.
This is just a theory mind, since the first gun I fired was a 16 gauge single shot and it was love at first kick to the shoulder, but it's my own personal plot for getting some of my women acquaintances and their husbands to the range. I dunno about the husbands though. It's so hard to get guys to go
My other thought is to get the children.
That sounds really crass. But I've noticed that even slightly-left-of-center folks want ther kids "well-rounded" and are open to all kinds of activities the parents themselves would never think of trying. So, grab the nieces and nephews and cousins and neighbors and such. II would be nice if the News Media would tell the American Public, every time there is a Murder or Shooting... the Supreme Court has ruled, the Police are not required to respond to your call for help!
---
As far as getting more gun owners out there, as more "non-traditional" folk get into shooting, such as Trap, High Power Rifle and Steel Challenge. Word of mouth spreads, There was a NBC clip several months back about middle aged women with Assult Rifles, For real! Women at one of the shooting schools with AR's. I took my whole section to the trap range, to include a 98lb female that worked for me at the time, it was the first time for many of them, next thing I know I'm hearing storys about how they were takeing thier relatives to the trap range.
So the solution is; just like the boy scouts and the other programs "take a kid shooting", for those that have shooting experiance and are single or middle aged single... want to meet some MILF's, go to the boy scout shooting ranges and VOLUNTEER. I wish I had more time on my hands and wasn't so tired, I've only been able to do fire arms related volunteer work a few times, but I had a great time, even if it was only .22lr, I'd love to get that "Horrible Black AR" out on the range and let the kids shoot it off, let the mothers handle it and show people that it is about as harmless as a rolling pin, unless you take the time to load it and do wrong with it.
Want proof? My wife never grew up with guns; she was Female High and Female high Team at the Local Trap shoot 2005, she's finished in the top 50% of Rifle Intermurals in Quantico... we won't say much about her pistol shooting, but she does have her own Hard Ball .45acp.
I've gotten a few into trap shooting, but it's cheap for Military locally on Camp Pendleton, about $7.50 a round, free gun rental, $3 for clay and $4.50 for a box of 25.
BridgeWalker
Member
...and another thing...
I skipped this at first, lest I be flamed as a man-hating feminist, but...
A lot more women would shoot if men weren't so weird about it. Unless you're in the south, "ladies' day" is not the preferred nomenclature. "Women", please. No, I don't have a problem with special programs for women. I think they're great. No, I don't have a problem with being called a lady from time to time. But "lady" in a shooting context sounds, to most younger women, old-fashioned, male-dominated and condescending. I'm not trying to be the language police, but outdated language is counter-productive. If you want women to shoot at your range, or if you want the women you know to become shooters, don't:
--call us ladies on a consistent basis
--call us gals or girls (How would like it if I called you a boy?)
--"let us" pick out our own gun. ("Golly gee willickers, my studly man is letting me pick out a gun! Apparently he hasn't gotten the news that I am perfectly capable of purchasing my own gun...")
--for that matter "let us" do anything. Unless you're the R.O., nothing the woman in question does is by your leave or with your permission. *Even if you are teaching her a skill.*
--treat us like cute little novelties, to be humored a little bit.
--Instantly assume that because someone is a woman she knows less than you do about all things related to guns and shooting.
--Assume that all women are the same--cute, delicate, and weak. Ftr, I'm 5'7" and 180 pounds. I am a ex-judoka. I had to quit when I destroyed my shoulder practicing too enthusiastically. The shoulder injury kept me out of the Marines too, something I'm still irked about. I don't shoot youth size guns. I don't shoot pink guns (I get that lots of women do. Whatever floats their boat. Not my thing. It's about diversity, people.) I do have to be a bit careful because of the bad shoulder. That has nothing to do with being a woman and everything to do with spending too many hours wrestling guys like you down to the mat. Pretty well too, if I do say so myself. Yeah, I take offense when guys want me to go play with the little gun.
--Try to get the women in your life to shoot because you think it is sexy. Most people do not engage in hobbies or defense activities for someone else's gratification. If they do, they probably won't be that great at it. Too busy trying to look hot.
Do:
--Accept that not everyone likes guns or shooting.
--Accept that people tend to enjoy skills better when they develop them themselves than when another person does most of the work.
--Watch the kids while we go to the range. Wash the dishes while you're at it. A lot of women are just too busy too shoot. Help us out here.
--For that matter, watch the kids while we go to the gun store. Alone. It is often quite difficult for a woman to be waited on in a gun store if she is there with a man. The salesman tends to talk to himand ignore her, or treat her like a "little lady". I've witnessed this a lot. I've walked out of gun stores several times. And I *don't* take my husband with me when I buy a gun. It would just not work.
--Treat us like people.
--Be a teacher to the extent necessary and helpful. Then lay off. Teaching someone to shoot is not a good day to exercise your domineering side. This happened with me when a guy (my cousin) first taught me to shotgun. It was not helpful, in fact it seriously undermined my confidence.
I've mostly had pretty good luck so far. I've met a lot of jerks who can't seem to see me as a shooter rather than a little lady shooter (and there ain't nuthin' little about me, folks). But those have all been at gun shows or stores, all the guys at my range have been very cool for the most part. Most of the older guys are still very much in the lady/gal mode. You younger guys really need, if you want to help enourage women to shoot, to overcompensate.
That is all.
P.S: I am not trying to demand that anyone behave in a certain way. Say what you want to say. But this thread is in some ways about marketing, and a lot of the "marketing" of shooting to women that I've seen irl and on the forums is very, very, very counterproductive and wrong-headed. Not all, my any stretch. But enough.
I skipped this at first, lest I be flamed as a man-hating feminist, but...
A lot more women would shoot if men weren't so weird about it. Unless you're in the south, "ladies' day" is not the preferred nomenclature. "Women", please. No, I don't have a problem with special programs for women. I think they're great. No, I don't have a problem with being called a lady from time to time. But "lady" in a shooting context sounds, to most younger women, old-fashioned, male-dominated and condescending. I'm not trying to be the language police, but outdated language is counter-productive. If you want women to shoot at your range, or if you want the women you know to become shooters, don't:
--call us ladies on a consistent basis
--call us gals or girls (How would like it if I called you a boy?)
--"let us" pick out our own gun. ("Golly gee willickers, my studly man is letting me pick out a gun! Apparently he hasn't gotten the news that I am perfectly capable of purchasing my own gun...")
--for that matter "let us" do anything. Unless you're the R.O., nothing the woman in question does is by your leave or with your permission. *Even if you are teaching her a skill.*
--treat us like cute little novelties, to be humored a little bit.
--Instantly assume that because someone is a woman she knows less than you do about all things related to guns and shooting.
--Assume that all women are the same--cute, delicate, and weak. Ftr, I'm 5'7" and 180 pounds. I am a ex-judoka. I had to quit when I destroyed my shoulder practicing too enthusiastically. The shoulder injury kept me out of the Marines too, something I'm still irked about. I don't shoot youth size guns. I don't shoot pink guns (I get that lots of women do. Whatever floats their boat. Not my thing. It's about diversity, people.) I do have to be a bit careful because of the bad shoulder. That has nothing to do with being a woman and everything to do with spending too many hours wrestling guys like you down to the mat. Pretty well too, if I do say so myself. Yeah, I take offense when guys want me to go play with the little gun.
--Try to get the women in your life to shoot because you think it is sexy. Most people do not engage in hobbies or defense activities for someone else's gratification. If they do, they probably won't be that great at it. Too busy trying to look hot.
Do:
--Accept that not everyone likes guns or shooting.
--Accept that people tend to enjoy skills better when they develop them themselves than when another person does most of the work.
--Watch the kids while we go to the range. Wash the dishes while you're at it. A lot of women are just too busy too shoot. Help us out here.
--For that matter, watch the kids while we go to the gun store. Alone. It is often quite difficult for a woman to be waited on in a gun store if she is there with a man. The salesman tends to talk to himand ignore her, or treat her like a "little lady". I've witnessed this a lot. I've walked out of gun stores several times. And I *don't* take my husband with me when I buy a gun. It would just not work.
--Treat us like people.
--Be a teacher to the extent necessary and helpful. Then lay off. Teaching someone to shoot is not a good day to exercise your domineering side. This happened with me when a guy (my cousin) first taught me to shotgun. It was not helpful, in fact it seriously undermined my confidence.
I've mostly had pretty good luck so far. I've met a lot of jerks who can't seem to see me as a shooter rather than a little lady shooter (and there ain't nuthin' little about me, folks). But those have all been at gun shows or stores, all the guys at my range have been very cool for the most part. Most of the older guys are still very much in the lady/gal mode. You younger guys really need, if you want to help enourage women to shoot, to overcompensate.
That is all.
P.S: I am not trying to demand that anyone behave in a certain way. Say what you want to say. But this thread is in some ways about marketing, and a lot of the "marketing" of shooting to women that I've seen irl and on the forums is very, very, very counterproductive and wrong-headed. Not all, my any stretch. But enough.
sm
member
-Put Guns back in the School Curricula
Starting with Air Guns , continuing with .22 Rim-Fire, and onto Shotguns and Centerfire.
-Supporting those Schools that have a Shooting Programs.
Here is my take, I grew up , as many did, with firearms being part of the household and schools.
We have had for sometime an increase in kids not being raised around firearms, and other outdoor activities.
Parents not raised around firearms either, so naturally they don't pass firearms forward.
Kids have a powerful impact on Society.
Suckers and Dog Treats at the Drive-In Teller window at the bank - are a result of kids for example.
Kids see bigger kids participating in HS Skeet, Trap, 5 Stand, and they want to "do that too".
Kids see College Shooting teams and "how come my school doesn't have that for me?".
Media and Politicians have skewed and twisted everything "For The Children".
My take is to take back what WE had, and use our future, Kids, to take back some Human Rights, Constitutional Rights and Freedom.
So the school itself will not allow "guns in school".
Ranges and other areas can set up Programs for Kids.
Private Businesses and Individuals can donate time, money, ammunition , firearms for kids.
I, and others have done this forever, and this does "Attract" other kids, parents and more folks to shooting.
The more we Attract, the more we Invest and Insure in the Future.
Brainwashing and Propaganda by Schools has gone way too far!
Brainwash and Propaganda Back I say!
If you have a warehouse, or some other indoor facility, invite the First Graders to come out and shoot Daisy Red Ryders.
$20-$25 for a Red Ryder and BBs donated, and some Safety Gear is not a bad investment "donation".
Maybe just making and doing treats, and donating these.
Still these kids will learn first hand, and parents too, Firearm Folks, are good Folks.
School Brainwashing starts in and "Nuh-Uh, that is not right!" the kids will know.
These kids will pass onto other kids as kids do.
Parents will get bugged and pestered to death by kids to do participate.
Just like they do T-Ball, Dance, Soccer...
Maybe you have some land, Larry Ashcraft has had not only his Grandkids, also other Kids and adults out his place.
BBGuns, .22 rim-fire, Center-Fire handguns, rifles and Shotguns.
Quite a few kids were introduced by Larry, Sandy and his family, and Attracted others to Firearms, and through the kids!
Yes, I hang with a tight bunch of folks, including kids.
We shoot in private shooting spots.
Still other kids have come out and kids, parents have been educated.
Invited out, or kids inquired about being invited out.
Pretty big deal for a kid not raised around guns, to get a Red Ryder, or Pawn Shop .22 single shot rifle of their very own.
Pretty big deal for Parents to change directions and get into shooting , and change views on Politics and voting, and all too.
Starting with Air Guns , continuing with .22 Rim-Fire, and onto Shotguns and Centerfire.
-Supporting those Schools that have a Shooting Programs.
Here is my take, I grew up , as many did, with firearms being part of the household and schools.
We have had for sometime an increase in kids not being raised around firearms, and other outdoor activities.
Parents not raised around firearms either, so naturally they don't pass firearms forward.
Kids have a powerful impact on Society.
Suckers and Dog Treats at the Drive-In Teller window at the bank - are a result of kids for example.
Kids see bigger kids participating in HS Skeet, Trap, 5 Stand, and they want to "do that too".
Kids see College Shooting teams and "how come my school doesn't have that for me?".
Media and Politicians have skewed and twisted everything "For The Children".
My take is to take back what WE had, and use our future, Kids, to take back some Human Rights, Constitutional Rights and Freedom.
So the school itself will not allow "guns in school".
Ranges and other areas can set up Programs for Kids.
Private Businesses and Individuals can donate time, money, ammunition , firearms for kids.
I, and others have done this forever, and this does "Attract" other kids, parents and more folks to shooting.
The more we Attract, the more we Invest and Insure in the Future.
Brainwashing and Propaganda by Schools has gone way too far!
Brainwash and Propaganda Back I say!
If you have a warehouse, or some other indoor facility, invite the First Graders to come out and shoot Daisy Red Ryders.
$20-$25 for a Red Ryder and BBs donated, and some Safety Gear is not a bad investment "donation".
Maybe just making and doing treats, and donating these.
Still these kids will learn first hand, and parents too, Firearm Folks, are good Folks.
School Brainwashing starts in and "Nuh-Uh, that is not right!" the kids will know.
These kids will pass onto other kids as kids do.
Parents will get bugged and pestered to death by kids to do participate.
Just like they do T-Ball, Dance, Soccer...
Maybe you have some land, Larry Ashcraft has had not only his Grandkids, also other Kids and adults out his place.
BBGuns, .22 rim-fire, Center-Fire handguns, rifles and Shotguns.
Quite a few kids were introduced by Larry, Sandy and his family, and Attracted others to Firearms, and through the kids!
Yes, I hang with a tight bunch of folks, including kids.
We shoot in private shooting spots.
Still other kids have come out and kids, parents have been educated.
Invited out, or kids inquired about being invited out.
Pretty big deal for a kid not raised around guns, to get a Red Ryder, or Pawn Shop .22 single shot rifle of their very own.
Pretty big deal for Parents to change directions and get into shooting , and change views on Politics and voting, and all too.
As an individual gun owner the best thing someone can do is try to take as many newbies shooting as possible. Start with the general safety rules and have them shoot a .22 for the first shots. The more newbies you take to the range, the more potential new gun owners you create.
If you are a member of a club or range, try to get the club to sponsor a NRA Women on Target clinic or NSSF new shooters event. We had 67 women attend our most recent WoT clinic. For most of them it was the first time they shot a gun and we had several women ask how they could join the club and what the procedures were for buying a gun.
If every shooter recruited two new shooters we can keep recreational shooting thriving and start to change the public perception of guns and gun owners.
If you are a member of a club or range, try to get the club to sponsor a NRA Women on Target clinic or NSSF new shooters event. We had 67 women attend our most recent WoT clinic. For most of them it was the first time they shot a gun and we had several women ask how they could join the club and what the procedures were for buying a gun.
If every shooter recruited two new shooters we can keep recreational shooting thriving and start to change the public perception of guns and gun owners.
crazed_ss
Member
delta9, I agree with what you're saying. Basically I think gun owners need to be more tolerant and accepting of others.
I went with my buddy and his wife to the gun show this weekend. It was her first time to the show and whe was absolutely appalled by the amount Nazi, anti-Mexican, and anti-Muslim paraphanelia (sp?) .. I mean really nasty stuff.
I've been around guns and gun culture so I realize it's par for the course, but for people getting into guns, that stuff is a massive turn off.. just my two cents.
I went with my buddy and his wife to the gun show this weekend. It was her first time to the show and whe was absolutely appalled by the amount Nazi, anti-Mexican, and anti-Muslim paraphanelia (sp?) .. I mean really nasty stuff.
I've been around guns and gun culture so I realize it's par for the course, but for people getting into guns, that stuff is a massive turn off.. just my two cents.
Cavalier Knight
Member
I created a site to put more firearms information in one place perhaps I'll get some new people interested.
frankcostanza
Member
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- Jul 27, 2007
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more ranges, more gunshops that offer free classes or clinics open to the public
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