I was at a gun shop in Kittery, Maine yesterday. I saw two guys asking the clerk to take their pictures holding AR15’s and AK47’s. I aske one of them if they lived in a state that didn’t allow these rifles. They said they were from Belgium and most weapons are totally prohibited to most. They said they loved the USA and wished they were American.
Interesting Observation...
- Thread starter mk70ss
- Start date
We had some mid-teens come to Arizona from NYC a few years ago.
They went ballistic at Scottsdale Gun Club, taking lots of pictures with evil black rifles.
Then each one got 5 rounds in an MP-5.
Wow. Talking about going hog wild...
So experiencing “freedom from an oppressive state” was pretty awesome to watch.
They went ballistic at Scottsdale Gun Club, taking lots of pictures with evil black rifles.
Then each one got 5 rounds in an MP-5.
Wow. Talking about going hog wild...
So experiencing “freedom from an oppressive state” was pretty awesome to watch.
Several years ago I met up with a couple from Belgium and set up a range day. I hauled out AR's, M1, M1 Carbine, lever actions, and all manner of pistols and revolvers. They had such a blast! We kept in contact for a couple of years, but they got separated and eventually they quit answering my emails. But it was a great experience and they were so receptive towards safety and operation instructions- it still ranks as one of my all time favorite range trips.
My daughter has a Belgian friend who now lives in Germany. On her first visit, she went to the range with me and did well. On her second visit, one of the first things she said was to ask me if I would take her shooting again. There is a baggy of pistol rounds that she reloaded herself (under my supervision, of course) waiting for another visit for her to shoot her own ammo. It seems that people who have been denied access to firearms are very often either fascinated or scared silly of them, with little middle ground.
One of the ranches we trail ride at in Wyoming has a lot of Japanese and French tourists that want the true cowboy experience. I always ride with a firearm (usually a SAA .45 Colt). This past year, the head wrangler asked me to not carry the gun. A French tourist was mortified and couldn’t believe a live gun was in his vicinity.
I'll go a bit off topic.
I recall reading (unverifiable heresay
) that a woman who served time for a felony posed for a "Girl with Gun" poster.
Someone,perhaps her parole officer,took it as evidence of a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
The woman returned to prison.
I'm not a lawyer and I'm not sure how it all works, but I would not take for granted pictures are always a good idea.
I recall reading (unverifiable heresay
) that a woman who served time for a felony posed for a "Girl with Gun" poster.Someone,perhaps her parole officer,took it as evidence of a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
The woman returned to prison.
I'm not a lawyer and I'm not sure how it all works, but I would not take for granted pictures are always a good idea.
As a young boy, I lived in Italy, where firearms are controlled and difficult to get, but I was around firearms quite a bit when I lived there. No handguns, but shotguns and hunting rifles were not totally uncommon.
When I worked for a Japanese company, the executives and engineers were from Japan. They were absolutely astonished that anyone who wanted to could buy a firearm here in the USA. I told them I was absolutely astonished that anyone who wanted one could not buy one in Japan. I got some funny looks over that one. Seems their government in Japan has been telling the populace that guns are related to crime, so the normally law-abiding citizens are somewhat apprehensive about firearms. But some of them were brave enough to risk going out hunting with us. They were giddy with excitement around the guns, and a couple of them actually let us talk them into shooting our shotguns.
When I worked for a Japanese company, the executives and engineers were from Japan. They were absolutely astonished that anyone who wanted to could buy a firearm here in the USA. I told them I was absolutely astonished that anyone who wanted one could not buy one in Japan. I got some funny looks over that one. Seems their government in Japan has been telling the populace that guns are related to crime, so the normally law-abiding citizens are somewhat apprehensive about firearms. But some of them were brave enough to risk going out hunting with us. They were giddy with excitement around the guns, and a couple of them actually let us talk them into shooting our shotguns.
A couple of years ago, a guy posted on another forum that he had just moved here from NYC to retire and had bought a couple of small handguns. I started a dialogue with him and eventually, we went to the range together. He was having the time of his life with his new toys!
During subsequent outings, he told me of some of his friends and relatives who remained in NYC and were adamantly opposed to his purchase and use of the new firearms and our conversation over THAT issue was quite positive.
On all other issues, though, he remains staunchly liberal! Ya take your victories where you can get 'em!
And yes, always good to introduce people to the gun world when you can.
--Wag--
During subsequent outings, he told me of some of his friends and relatives who remained in NYC and were adamantly opposed to his purchase and use of the new firearms and our conversation over THAT issue was quite positive.
On all other issues, though, he remains staunchly liberal! Ya take your victories where you can get 'em!
And yes, always good to introduce people to the gun world when you can.
--Wag--
Glenn E. Meyer
New member
We've had folks from China come out to a match. I've taken Italians to the range.
WanderingSol07
Inactive
I work at a major mid-west university. We also have a Japanese car assembly plant and Chinese aluminum plant in town. The university has around 5,00 foreign students. They go in bunches to the local indoor range. Some are disappointed as they have to understand English to view the required safety video. It appears to me they mainly want to shoot rifles, not as much handguns. If I'm shooting, I try to be in a different bay...
Prof Young
New member
Lot of tourist shoot ranges in Hawaii for the Japanese.
When we were in Hawaii there were guys handing out flyers for shooting ranges all over the place. Turns out these were aimed at the Japanese tourists who have never shot a gun. There ranges were mostly 22 LR ranges, but they had all different kinds of 22 LR guns.
Life is good.
Prof Young
When we were in Hawaii there were guys handing out flyers for shooting ranges all over the place. Turns out these were aimed at the Japanese tourists who have never shot a gun. There ranges were mostly 22 LR ranges, but they had all different kinds of 22 LR guns.
Life is good.
Prof Young
I met quite a few former Chinese PLA veterans that now live in the US, they are familiar with the SKS / AK47
some of those old guys that work in the kitchen at Chinese restaurants are former PLA
some served during the Cultural Revolution / Vietnam War as advisors / China - Vietnam Border war back in the 1970's.
some of those old guys that work in the kitchen at Chinese restaurants are former PLA
some served during the Cultural Revolution / Vietnam War as advisors / China - Vietnam Border war back in the 1970's.
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stangbangr
New member
I took three Dutch people shooting last year. One was a longtime friend, the other two his siblings who were visiting from Amsterdam.
I took them to the Sportsmen’s club. They had a ball and were cheesing the whole time. We shot skeet. We shot steel with pistols and a PCC. Then I took them to the rifle range and they were busting steel at 300 yds. I think what they were surprised the most about is how serious we are about safety. One voiced her surprise at how welcoming other shooters at the Range were to them. She said that was the friendliest group of people they encountered during their stay.
I took them to the Sportsmen’s club. They had a ball and were cheesing the whole time. We shot skeet. We shot steel with pistols and a PCC. Then I took them to the rifle range and they were busting steel at 300 yds. I think what they were surprised the most about is how serious we are about safety. One voiced her surprise at how welcoming other shooters at the Range were to them. She said that was the friendliest group of people they encountered during their stay.
buck460XVR
New member
There's always something provocative about things that are prohibited.
....and if they were Americans and posted the pic on Facebook we'd call them mall Ninjas.
....and if they were Americans and posted the pic on Facebook we'd call them mall Ninjas.
I understand that Belgium has adopted a Euthansia Law that allows the State to decide when life is no longer worth living, and the #1 problem that gets addressed with doctor assisted death there is "Depression" ....... I joined the Army to save Europe from Soviet Socialist Tyranny ...... I have plowed the sea, as even the most basic freedoms in Western Europe have steadily eroded in the last 30 years.......... SMH.......