Why do people think because i own a (insert gun of choice) that i am a bad guy?

[JTHunter]

Horsemen - considering you live in a small town in the Ozarks (anywhere near the Bagnell Dam?), it would seem to me that these people are setting themselves up to be victims as the police forces outside of the metro areas are so understaffed, response times can be "fatal".

 

[Telekinesis]

Take them shooting. One on one. More people are converted by doing, than by talking.

^ THIS. Specifically, invite every 18-24 yr old "adult woman" you can. The other guys will either get AR-15s to keep up, or they won't. Either way, you'll make new shootin buddies.

I agree. I've taken probably 10 or more new people shooting over the past 12 months and can say there is nothing better to get people into shooting than to have them try it themselves. Just take a nice and slow, step by step method to teaching them to shoot (and keep it fun) and they'll be coming back for more!

FYI about half of those were girls and now I have standing orders from several of them that if I'm ever going shooting, I absolutely must bring them

And if you really want them to stop going on and on about your "evil black rifles" get a C&R FFL and/or start getting into NFA toys. Its pretty easy to make the argument that suppressors are for safety (definitely help reduce hearing damage) and nothing shuts them up like saying you have a federal firearms license and highly regulated weapons. That typically takes the "you're gonna get arrested/you're gonna kill all of us" comments out of the conversation. Or it just tells them that you're a lost cause and they won't be able to change you. Either way, a win-win!

 

[Ignition Override]

You might have Written stats published by a US law enforcement agency (with the reference), which describes how many people prevented or stopped an assault using a registered handgun.

A photo from the LA race riots showing the Koreans on top of their store with the Mini 14 could sink in.

 

[mgmorden]

Now it's, "well, I can see why you own that gun, but it's still not right that derp, derp, derp..."

We had a British guy (just had moved over - he attained US citizenship while working for us) at work like that for a while. He never was really anti, but he was definitely of the "I don't care if you own guns, but its not for me." type.

By the time he left he owned a Glock, a Remington 700, and another gun (can't remember the model on that one). Sadly he was returning to England to be closer to family and had to sell his guns, but while he was over here we had a convert.

 

[Warp]

And hopefully when he went back across the pond he shed at least a little bit of light and hopefully somebody over there realized just how freaking bad they have it. Apparently even their extremely highly regulated AIR RIFLES have an energy restriction of like 13 ftlbs. What?!?

 

[YankeeFlyr]

They're jealous, that's why...

(Their wives won't let them have a 1911 or whatever.)

 

[mnrivrat]

I don't know - I guess I would tell them to stop seeking their education and formimg their opinions by listening to the 6 O'Clock news.

 

[ol' scratch]

I don't know if this would help you but the AR 15 is the rifle more and more people are using in competative shooting. It IS the rifle most people use in service rifle competition. I have heard it described as the semi automatic bolt gun due to the accuracy potential of the firearm. Lots of misinformation out there right now that has popped up in the last few weeks including that the firearm isn't accurate enough for target shooting. Try to convince them using the practical aspects of the firearm- cheap to shoot, extremely accurate, easy to find parts and accessories for, easy to maintain, and easy to work on in your garage with minimal tools.

People fear what they do not understand. It is in our nature. Try and educate them. Use the narratives as has been suggested.

 

[YankeeFlyr]

Ol' Scratch...lets cut the BS.

The "practical" aspects and "target shooting" potential is true enough, but that's not really why most of us own them, is it?

C'mon...if these virtues were true but for some reason the weapon was designed with a limiter that dictated that it could only fire 4 rounds per minute and somehow could not take a mag of more than 6 rounds.....would we still buy them?

Your points may be good for PR but they are what they are.

That's why we (I) own them...like my M1A and my M1 Garand and my 1911A1 and my Beretta 92FS and my...

You get the point.

Lotsa folks out there pointing out the sporting (hunting) and match use of the guns. Fine.

But let's get a little real, here...at LEAST to ourselves (this should be a Sticky)...cut the bull.

We know why we own them.

Just sayin'

 

[Godsgunman]

Simply tell them that you are granted a Constitutional Right to bare arms and you've chosen to do so. They also have a Right to voice their opinion but their opinion doesn't change your Right. They are obviously highly influenced by the factless "believe what we shove down your throat" political agendas of the liberal media and are not willing, open, or even able to think for themselves. Critical thinking skills and logic do not work on people like this. Your best option is to somehow get one or two to try it and see that firearms are tools and are useful for things like hunting and sport, not evil uncontrollable machines hellbent of world domination as the media portrays.
If that fails then its time for new friends

 

[GlackAttack]

One of my friends started calling me a "gun maniac", because I recently purchased two pistols and I'm looking for the third. He has started saving for his first pistol after a trip shooting. Otherwise, with the girls at work, I just calmly explain my rationales while accepting theirs. For example, After WI got concealed carry, I explained that the previous laws only allowed the non law abiding criminals to hide a weapon on them.. Anyways, I think the conversation needs to stay friendly, and if they can tell you are not listening to them, they will not listen to you. Also, there are always people that are not worth arguing with, so don't. I think the anti's will be more of a problem now in Wisconsin, after the senseless murders in Oak Creek, WI.

 

[medalguy]

I have neighbors who are real libs, NPR-types, who for years kinda turned their noses up whenever I mentioned my guns to them. Then one day I was putting my Thompson in the back of the truck, and the guy walked over to see what I was doing. I ended up inviting him to go shoot and he went along. He got the Thompson and fired off a good burst, looked up, and smiled really big, and asked if he could do that again. He shot off about 6 mags as I recall before I got the gun back.

When we returned home, he told his wife about it and she decided she wanted to shoot it too. Long story short, he now owns a 10-22, an 870, and is looking for a good pistol to carry when they go hiking in the mountains.

So taking anti-gun types out to shoot can indeed have a positive outcome.

 

[Skribs]

If they are constantly badgering you about it, then it does sound like its time to get new friends. I know you said not to suggest that, but if they're bringing up the issue, then they're not being very good friends. If they can't agree to live and let live, then I suggest avoiding situations that make you have to defend your constitutional right to people you should be having a good time with.

I've always been of the opinion that if you create drama, I don't want to associate with you. If being someone's friend is more work than fun, I don't want to be their friend.

 

[Sam1911]

I've always been of the opinion that if you create drama, I don't want to associate with you. If being someone's friend is more work than fun, I don't want to be their friend.

That's a pretty good word to live by.

Be polite but firm with your friends. Explain what you are able to, be honest, be calm. There are some very good resources (like THR!) to help you understand the basis and practice of our view of the RKBA. However, if you cannot defeat the logic of their arguments, you can always fall back on the "this is my right as an American citizen and I choose to exercise it."

Then ask them to drop the topic. If they cannot be pleasant and friendly with you without badgering you over this -- simply explain that you are no longer comfortable with their company and separate yourself from that environment.

A friend that won't respect a) your opinion, or b) your request to leave an issue alone -- is NOT your friend and remaining in that environment is unhealthy.

 

[Warp]

Simply tell them that you are granted a Constitutional Right to bare arms and you've chosen to do so.

Incorrect. The Constitution does not grant us the right to keep or to bear arms.

The Constitution protects an already existing, fundamental right.

There is a difference and I think it important to state it properly.

 

[bthr22]

College Age "Kid"

I am a young man in college, who is an avid shooter. I am moving off campus this year, so am able to store my firearms at my house and shoot during my free weekends.

My roommates tend to lean fairly far towards the anti side of guns. At first they were completely against having any firearm in the house, but after some calm conversation stating facts about guns, safety, and storage, they both agree that they now feel safer having some guns in the house with someone who is a proficient and safe shooter. And they might even come to the range with me sometime as well.

 

[Skribs]

I will say that roommates and friends are two different things, especially because sometimes you can't really choose your roommates, and what is in the house you share with them is different than just carrying while you're out with your buds. I'm also glad you were able to calm them down, bthr, because I would say that if I lived with someone who said absolutely no guns in the house...I'd put my foot down. And I don't do that often.

 

[303tom]

Don`t care, it is my right, and when & if TSHTF they won`t get any help from me.............

 

[arizona_cards_11]

Well stated....we betray ourselves when we say that a governmental entity has the ability and authority to grant rights.

 

[bthr22]

Probably should have clarified, we are all good friends and chose to live together. But yes, I do see what you mean about the difference between hangout buds and roommates.

Colleges today, it seems, tend to be quite liberal. So it can be difficult sometimes to find people who share the same interests and views as myself.

Another piece of anecdotal evidence of facts and logic winning a battle in the RKBA fight was a speech I made for a communications class. When I began, most of the class was fairly skeptical about firearms. I asked what the first thing that came to their mind was when they heard the word gun. Most responses were police officers. Some others as well. After presenting for 15-20 minutes explaining real statistics and using those to counter the false claims and made up words used by larger anti lobbyists such as the Brady Campaign, the entire class was laughing at the absurdity of their arguments and "support."

 

[Nushif]

Colleges today, it seems, tend to be quite liberal. So it can be difficult sometimes to find people who share the same interests and views as myself.

Funny, most of my liberal college friends (who happen to share my political opinion in a lot of ways) love taking their guns out and makin' some noise.

Dare I suggest that maybe the reason that in "liberal colleges these days" you can't find people to go shooting with isn't the other people in college? I only ever seem to get positive feedback for being a gun owner in my little liberal college.

 

[scottbird]

I love the way you are sticking to your friends, just because we differ in one or two topics does not mean we cannot be friends. I would suggest that that you do some research. show them cold hard facts that fast cars, and drunk driving kills more people than guns.

if they do not accept that, thin I believe I would just tell them straight out, we are still friends, but we just need to avoid the subjects that we disagree on.

it is better if we keep the all the friends we can, after all we all have enough enemies as it is.

 

[Warp]

Funny, most of my liberal college friends (who happen to share my political opinion in a lot of ways) love taking their guns out and makin' some noise.

Dare I suggest that maybe the reason that in "liberal colleges these days" you can't find people to go shooting with isn't the other people in college? I only ever seem to get positive feedback for being a gun owner in my little liberal college.

On the whole and on the average colleges do tend to have a discernible liberal lean.

 

[Nushif]

Sure, but that doesn't mean you can't be friends with someone who doesn't share *all* your views.

 

[PT92]

I was recently divorced and haven't had to worry about how to tell and then evaluate women's feelings regarding The Second amendment for a long time. Note that I prefer to stage the question/issue as "The Second Amendment" and not just 'how do you feel about guns.' I live in a big city so the antis are epidemic. So far I have been using an online dating site to filter profiles so I get a general heads-up on who I am seeing beforehand.

In general though, I have found that it's essential to approach this topic with anyone, be it family, friends, dates etc. from an intellectual perspective and not just "I Love My Guns!" When confronted with such a situation, I always respond along the lines of not of why gun-rights are important to protect life but to uphold the Constitution under which we all live (including the antis). If you direct the conversation accordingly, I have found that it's almost impossible to not 'win' the argument.