Would better PR help our cause

[kd7nqb]

So often times either at work or school the subject of firearms comes up (probably more often than chance since I work in the security industry) I can't begin to count the number of times I have heard something to the effect of
"I would love to own a gun but it seems like such as hassle to get a license and everything"

There seems to be a huge misconception that you need to have a permit/ license to OWN a gun. Of course I do know that there are specific locals like Chicago and New York where you need additional paperwork to own firearms but the vast majority of places are not like that.

So my question to the group is, would a public information campaign showing what it really takes to buy a gun be helpful to our cause?

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

According to the news I can go into any gun store and buy an AK-47 that will spray 600 bullets per minute from the hip for $200. :banghead:
There is a LOT of misinformation out there to sort through before you get to the facts. A public information campaign might work but it would take a lot of money and time to shout it's message above the garbage everyone is bombarded with by the MSM and Hollywood.
ETA: On the other hand, given the attention of Heller by the public, now it probably a good time to start such a campaign.

 

[Picard]

Maybe if all the gun manufacturers banded together to show RKBA commercials in a similar way that the "Take Me Fishing" commercials have done for the fishing/boating industry they could have enough money. They can show hunting/target shooting/collecting/self defense aspect of firearms (things that aren't shown in the news media).

 

[TAB]

I think as a whole the gun community does more damage to itself then any thing else.

 

[rainbowbob]

Maybe if all the gun manufacturers banded together to show RKBA commercials...

Now there's a thought! Give the media money to spread a good image. Those folks will promote absolutely anything if they get paid. And perhaps they will stop spreading the negative lies to avoid pissing off their new sponsors!

 

[kingpin008]

Part of what would make it very tough to get the message out through some sort of public information release is the fact that the rules are so different everywhere.

For instance - in MD, we need to fill out a 4473 for all purchases, but for regulated arms (handguns and certain rifles) we also need to fill out state forms. In NY or NJ, there are different regulations than here in MD, and on and on.

You'd be better off having each state undertake some sort of campaign, which I think is being done, to the best of their abilities, by local 2A grassroots organizations and gun owners in their own neighborhoods.