Ambassadors for our sport

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ltc444

New member
I recently encountered a situation which got me to thinking about how each of us in our daily actions contribute to our sports image.

A pickup truck was parked in the access area of a handicapped parking spot. The wheel chair bound gentleman who was legally parked could not access his van.

Proudly displayed on the improperly parked truck was an NRA sticker, the logo for a major pistol manufacture and a sticker for a regional hunting group.

Given the negative climate which the shooting sports are portrayed it is in our best interest and the interest of our sport to actively work to show a positive image through our actions. Obviously, this individual did not live up to the standards which we should live by. It took a great deal of restraint for me not to rip the stickers off of the offending truck.

What I did do was assist the gentleman in gaining access to his van.

If you chose to visually identify your self as a member of the Shooting fraternity, the actions you take reflect on all of us.
 
Yes, I see stuff like that all the time and it does kind of irk me. Even though most people are supportive of gun rights we should not take for granted how the general public perceives us.
 
Inconsiderate, selfish, unthinking people come in every flavor, including the gun-owning variety.

Civility seems to be disappearing rather quickly from our society in general. How one treats the elderly, children, and the handicapped is a true indicator of a person's character.
 
I recently encountered a situation which got me to thinking about how each of us in our daily actions contribute to our sports image.

A pickup truck was parked in the access area of a handicapped parking spot. The wheel chair bound gentleman who was legally parked could not access his van.

Proudly displayed on the improperly parked truck was an NRA sticker, the logo for a major pistol manufacture and a sticker for a regional hunting group.

Given the negative climate which the shooting sports are portrayed it is in our best interest and the interest of our sport to actively work to show a positive image through our actions. Obviously, this individual did not live up to the standards which we should live by. It took a great deal of restraint for me not to rip the stickers off of the offending truck.

What I did do was assist the gentleman in gaining access to his van.

If you chose to visually identify your self as a member of the Shooting fraternity, the actions you take reflect on all of us.
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now if only Ted Nugent would take a hint
 
Had something similar happen once at the gunshop where I worked. The owner had the guy (not in the gunshop) ticketed then towed. He came out of another business as his car was being towed away.

Unbelievably irked and was really pitching a fit.

Even more irked when he realized that we were A) laughing at him and B) we were all armed.

Have a nice day, pal. :rolleyes:
 
"could not access his van"

And that's why people learn to park their van at an angle across 2 spaces. If you can't lower the side lift you are stuck.

Blocking 'em in is a good way to get your vehicle keyed, too. :)
 
With regard to vehicle stickers, the same argument could be made for religion (lost count of times cut off by fish cars), military affiliation (ditto cars with Navy anchors, Marine Globe and Eagle, etc), school (your child may be an honor student, but you drive like crap), etc.

I don't know that I'd take much heed of gun related parking stickers, unless the driver were very aggressive, not just rude at parking.

Otherwise, I'd have issues with lots of affiliations.
 
The only people who judge entire groups based on behavior by individuals with the groups stickers on their cars are the types of people whose behavior is the type that might give the groups stickered on their cars a bad name.

Know what I mean?
 
Brian, I know what you mean.

On the other hand, I think the OP has a point, too, though it isn't limited to gun affiliations.

Personally, I think if you care enough about an organization to put its symbols on your vehicle, then you should employ your vehicle in a way that doesn't conflict with the values of that organization.

And that applies to religious, military, academic, etc. (Only organizational sticker I ever put on my car was Aikido Schools of Ueshiba - though I did have a Naval Aviator wings plate on the front of my truck for a while.)

I'm not saying that I always drive or park perfectly, mind you - just that when you purportedly champion a cause, you should try not to create any negative connotations for it through your behavior.
 
I agree, but the people who make the connection between that sticker on their car and their behavior are generally the same people whose behavior will not be a problem anyway... Generally, thinking people. Hence, the people who need to think about it are the ones who don't and those that do, don't need to.

I'd love to think that rational discussions can change people's behavior but I've rarely seen it. Most people are what they are and YOU'RE the one with the problem, from their perspective.
 
I agree, but the people who make the connection between that sticker on their car and their behavior are generally the same people whose behavior will not be a problem anyway.
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Still, some of them have influence in their given social or professional circles, and heaven help us, some of them actually know how to operate a voting booth.
 
Much to do about nothing? The current driver may have borrowed the truck or just bought the truck with the NRA sticker. Who are we to judge?
 
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johnbt. There was insufficient room to operate the wheel chair lift.

Perception is subtle and cumulative.

For years the forest service in their fire reports would make the following statement on an unknown fire. "Hunters were in the area" This lead to perception by the public that Hunters were causing the fires. It also lead to attempts by the anti hunting crowd to ban hunting because hunters caused the fires.

An attempt to ban Shooting in National Forest in AZ was partially blamed on shooters dumping trash in informal shooting areas. Not many shooters would carry a refrigerator or washing machine and dump it for a target.

We can go a long way in improving our image by going out of our way to courteous, and helpful when we are displaying evidence of our sport.

If you don't believe this to be true, look at the mileage the Hells Angles get out of their toy runs.
 
It's a nice thought I suppose, but in order to make better ambassadors for our social group...the problem isn't over there with the man who owns the pickup truck with the stickers acting out or whatever...it's in us, and we strive not to judge or fix that man, but rather to be better ourselves and lead by example.
 
I think this is a good read and a good reminder. Some folks may not care about what other "shoppers" think of them in a supermarket parking lot, but believe me, they do care about how some folks perceive them. It might be other gun enthusiasts, collectors, hunters, etc....but the fact that they display certain bumper stickers says they care, and therefore can be influenced by the right folks saying something to them.
 
Although I frequently post in this forum and still own a couple of guns, I don't consider myself a participating member of the shooting sports because I no longer shoot. Can't afford to. So I have nothing on my car that identifies me as such--or anything else, either.

I've been thinking of vanity tags, however, but of something like "ATROPOS." The only thing is, as you all know, that's a girl's name. I've also thought of some gun related tag, because I've seen them, but I'm afraid all the good ones are taken.
 
I'm one of those guys who won't put ANYTHING on my car that can possibly identify me with a political candidate, sports, schools, beliefs, religion, and especially guns. To me, it's like advertising "Hey, I probably have a gun in my car, try busting into mine first".

No tats, no bumper stickers, no vanity tag. I'd rather spend the money on another gun!
 
Before I was an ambassador of anything but young biker guys... I could carve the "wheel chair dude" logo on a hood with a key real quick!!! :mad:

Brent
 
"It's a nice thought I suppose, but in order to make better ambassadors for our social group...the problem isn't over there with the man who owns the pickup truck with the stickers acting out or whatever...it's in us, and we strive not to judge or fix that man, but rather to be better ourselves and lead by example. "

Edward; thats a great statement. Society has a never ending collection of fools, slobs, and rude morons. They don't care that people think poorly of them, to some it is their badge of honor, their "bold individuality" if you will. Trying to change them all or drive them from the face of the earth is like beating your head against the Hover Dam. Better we concern ourselves with our own behavior and image. :)
 
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