How to handle an anti-gun????

Q

QuickTrig

New member
I read these forums all day while Im at work, and I see all these awesome arguments to support our right to bear arms. But I have to say, when Im with friends and someone brings up that I am an avid hunter/collector, there's always someone who asks why? What for? You want to get a CCW license? Why? what for? You have semi automatic shotguns? Why what for? You have an SKS "assault rifle"? Why what for? You keep a handgun within reach at your home? Why? what for?

Ive been shooting and collecting for years, But I still have yet to come up with a good solid story that I can explain to someone to justify the way I am with firearms, I have so many things I want to say to them, tell them and explain to them but it all gets mixed together and before I know it they are sitting there talking about how many people guns kill, and getting all worked up, and before you know it a reasonable "gun talk" is out of the question.

One time some friends were sitting around with me and one of them noticed the deactivated .50 BMG round sitting on top of my entertainment center, next to my reloading manuals and various firearm hardback books. He asked for me to explain how it worked, etc. So I told him all about cartridges, different bullets, velocity's, etc. And he was absolutely in awe about the whole thing. His girlriend was sitting next to him listening quietly...

A few weeks later I talked to her and she explained how scared of me she was, that I knew all these things about guns, and how detailed I was in my descriptions and explanations.....and I didnt know what to say to her, I told her I didnt mean to scare her and that firearms and bullets are simple tools. But from there I didnt know what to tell her to calm her down about guns, its amazing what the media has done to the image of a firearm, and how willing people are to believe everything they are told.
She even when as far a to say "remind me to never piss you off" as if because I am into firearms I am also a cold blooded killer....(she had no sarcasm in her voice either)
Who knows how many other people I know are terrified of me because I am a firearms enthusiest...

What do you guys tell people?
 
QT-
For my part I play it down. "Hey, it's just my hobby."

This tends to separate the wheat from the chaff. Those who are decidedly "anti" would have been looking to start an argument; those who are not will try to bring you out on the subject, as your friend did. Those are the fence-sitters; the most important ones.

If, after your dismissal of the topic, one or several push for more info, the conversation is easy because they really ARE looking for info. Next step is to get 'em to a range where the real world of guns and gun safety can be demystified. Most will change their views; but that's not the best reason to get them to the range. The best reason is that knowledge is power.

Just my 2 cents.
Rich
 
As far as that girl, well you're kindof screwed. I guess you could tell her you are an enthusiast of a hobby/sport/activity. Ask her what is any different from what you are interested in, compared to a guy who is into Harleys, such as myself. Just because I own a Harley, doesn't mean I'm a Hell's Angel or anything (indeed, more often than not the Harley rider you see on the highway is a dentist/doctor/lawyer/executive.) Tell her it's an expensive hobby, and your reloading is a way to defray costs. You could try to invite both of them shooting with you, and start her off with a .22 or .38 and show them (her) you aren't a 'wave your gun around lunatic'.

I would personally not get into any conversations with any of your friends who have that negative aspect. Unless they are asking for you to teach them/take them to the range!

Good luck!
 
I work it into my hobby of "all things mechanical" and go about my business. I have had some serious debate though with a few. Once they realize my predatory ways subsists on 70 and 110 lb cardstock, and I actually load my own ammunition for accuracy, they lose interest in the debate.

I suppose the work environment might be a little different here in NM, where open carry is legal... Lots of gunners around here... :D
 
There is another hobby that can get technical to a never ending degree: cars. And you can just as easily kill someone with a car as with a gun.
 
What to TELL the Lady...

Next time you see the girl, tell her that if she wants into your pants, she'll first have to learn to shoot.
 
LMAO 2harddrive, I think your on to something there....

I actually just talked to her a few minutes ago, she broke up with her boyfriend and she wants to go shooting LOL

Now what do I take to the range to "teach" her......
 
QT
I simply tell anti types, "For some, no explanation is required. For others, no explanation will do" or "Boys and their Toys" while smiling and thinking about Tamara's meager collection.

Of course you could always say "Because I can't afford all the Harley Davidson's I want and I'm compensating. You understand, right?"

Most of my major disagreements with acquaintenances are not over firearms... but about hunting. And those are few and far between since I work in the construction industry where a large proportion of hardhats, engineers and architects hunt.
 
What do you guys tell people?
Click to expand...
"Guns are part of my lifestyle. You use a calculator to do my taxes. I use a 5.56 and .45 to defend you and me. I train in grappling and kick boxing so that I can defend myself when I can't use tools 1 & 2. I shoot so that I stay proficient, and train hard to keep my warrior's edge sharp. I do not care if my lifestyle scares you. Frankly, taxes scare me, but you don't see me cowering in the corner sucking my thumb, do you? Just say, "Thank you" and be on your way."
That usually scores a first date. After that, you're on your own.
 
Myself, unless it's someone I really know, I don't talk about it. Anyone who really knows me knows my character, and won't be concerned, whatever their personal beliefs on firearms are - so those folks I freely tell.

My advice would be to try to respect the opinion of another, even though you may not agree with it. Not saying you can't discuss a contrary point of view, just saying that trying to evangelize or force someone to come around to your way of thinking rarely does more than piss them off.

To me, a bit like religion, a lot of people have strong beliefs on firearms... and on matters of religion, I don't try to push someone to think my way, nor do I want them to try to do that to me. Most people will accept that kind of detente or agree to disagree position on an issue.

Maybe I am making a short story long here :D Specifically with this girl, I wouldn't worry about it too much - if she comes to know you, she should eventually realize what your nature is - you have all the power to reinforce or weaken that bad first impression.
 
PC (potato cube)

At work, for example, I don't mind mentioning that I like to shoot and reload my own, but OMG it is such a PC environment :barf: where I am that you have to actually speak in semi-hushed tones for fear that someone in the next cubicle (yep, I'm a potato in a cube-farm) might be made "uncomfortable" and go crying to HR.
I just don't go into great detail about anything regarding guns while at work. Now at home, come on down to the basement and let me show you a few things. :D
 
Geez, I live a sheltered life at work.

My work shirts consist of SAF, OFF, FFF, and now (soon) TFL.

Everyone knows that I'm a "gun nut" (could you imagine me showing up for work if the brady bunch or vpc gave me a job LOL).

I just say, "Because". It's a non-answer. As Rich and others have pointed out, the anti's are just looking for a fight. The fench sitters will approach you later, they are the ones that you want to convert (their minds aren't closed).

Don't even try to change the minds of the really hard core, they won't budge and if you haven't read the entire brady bunch or vpc page, they will gladly recit it for you, word for word.

Fence sitters that are truly interested will ask questions. Don't answer them there, get alone with them and then tell them the truth. If you try it in the present of an anti, the anti will take that as a challege. That's all they want to do, to loudly, and stupidly, proclaim their non intelligence for the world to hear and believe me, they will be loud.

Wayne
 
My usal response is:
"I don't really care weather you like firearms or not. Just remember, the same constitution that gives me the right to keep and bear arms is the same constitution that grants you your right of free speach. If you choose not to own firearms, then that's your choice. But don't use your constitional right of free speech to try to deny me my constitutional right to own firearms".
 
STOP!!

Stop going on the defensive. Ask them to explain their questions and defend their positions. They are the bigots. Toss some back at them: "Why do you ask that?" , "What makes you fearful?".

Sarcasm is not always a good idea, but sometimes... A fairly good friend noted the NRA sticker on my car and said "Be careful, he's in the NRA." To which I replied in a disgusted tone, "Yeah and I'm behind my quota of dead kids today." End of that topic for the day.
 
His girlriend was sitting next to him listening quietly...

A few weeks later I talked to her and she explained how scared of me she was, that I knew all these things about guns, and how detailed I was in my descriptions and explanations.....and I didnt know what to say to her, I told her I didnt mean to scare her and that firearms and bullets are simple tools. But from there I didnt know what to tell her to calm her down about guns, its amazing what the media has done to the image of a firearm, and how willing people are to believe everything they are told.
She even when as far a to say "remind me to never piss you off" as if because I am into firearms I am also a cold blooded killer....(she had no sarcasm in her voice either)
Who knows how many other people I know are terrified of me because I am a firearms enthusiest...

What do you guys tell people?
Click to expand...

Trig, I think you would be wholly justified in putting on a strong air of indignation toward this woman, who seems to think it is alright to besmirch you as though you have given evidence of being a criminal or psychopath simply by virtue of the knowledge you possess.

You might want to tell her that you feel insulted by her insinuation that unlike any "normal" person ("normal," to her meaning "simply doesn't know anything about guns"), YOU have to be WATCHED and people have to walk on eggshells around you because you have guns. Does she suggest the same thing about not pissing off cops? They walk around in public all over the place with "assault pistols" full of "deadly cop-killer hollow-point bullets"!

Be mindful to always have an even-tempered tone to your voice when discussing this with her. (It's fun to confuse the hell out of such people by seeming level-headed and sane when they're working their hardest to think of you as an unstable psycho.)

Ask her if she fears chemists and pharmacists, since they have a deep understanding of chemistry and could easily make a bomb that would kill far more people than you could ever kill with your gun, and do it with only one single explosion. Might want to mention that two of the highest death-toll killings in this country's history (Murrah Building in OKC, and Happyland Social Club in NYC) were committed without the use of firearms. People who knew how to use flammable or explosive materials are more fearsome than people who know how to use guns, tell her.

And watch her melt right the hell down. :p

-blackmind
 
How to handle an anti-gun????
Click to expand...

Ahh, afraid of the dreaded Gun-Antigun reaction? You need to make sure your dilithium crystals are intact and you have to keep the gauss up over 30 million in your Antigun containment vessel. Some people say it is safe to vent the Antigun into space, but the risk from that is there may be a few stray molecules of Gun in the sector so you may risk blowing up your ship. :D

One might offer some empowerment over the dreaded ritual objects of death. "So what are your hobbies? . . . Weiner dogs? OK I'll agree to go with you to a weiner dog festival and learn about YOUR hobby IF you let me and Mrs. Meek take you to the range and she can show you the basics of target shooting. . . What? Sure guns are no more dangerous in the right hands than weiner dogs. In fact they may be less dangerous because you can control them better." :cool:
 
You'll fidn you get the same "I wont piss you off" comments with martial arts. The 5 tenets of TKD? Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self control and Indomitable Spirit. Does that sound like the words of a thug? I just dont tell people anymore. Usually they've already made up their mind when they open their mouths. Education is the only way.
 
my personal favorite:
i'm constantly told by libs and all that i'm "not a true american" b/c I believe the flag is sacred and it should be illegal to burn it. they say that since i'm not exercizing or supporting my "constitutional right" to unrestricted free speech i'm somewhat less of an american.

To which I reply:
"Well the second ammendment says I have the right to bear arms and form a militia. why is it that you can restrict the 2nd ammendment and shun all that its about, but turn around a call me a non-American for wanting to restrict something as despicable as burning the American flag. I choose to limit a tiny bit of the 1st, but you wanna do away with the 2nd altogether. by your definition you're more unAmerican than I am. I practice my 2nd ammendment rights as much as possible because I AM A REAL American, and if it weren't for the 2nd the 1st would mean nothing..."
 
I tell people I have guns as a hobby and for self-defense.

I tell them that as a hobby, target shooting is challenging and relaxing. As for self-defense, government stats show that you're best chance of escaping injury during a violent attack is to fight back with a gun.
 
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