Shoot a gun? With like bullets?!?!?

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jbat35

Inactive
Hows it going guys, so recently I have came to a disturbing conclusion. I may be terribly wrong, or it might only be a true case where I am, but it seems a lot of people in my local area are SCARRED OF SHOOTING A GUN! I will commonly go to the range on the weekends to shoot and ask friends if they would like to go with. I kid you not, 90% of the time, their response is like that of the title. "Guns? Like the ones that shoot bullets?" Or my favorite "Don't I need a Firearms Safety card for that?" Granted, most of the people around me are 18-20, but still it just troubles me that people are afraid of guns. Especially since most of my friends are engineers, and should know how simple and un-threatening a gun when shot down range truly is. As for the safety aspect, most people I know are aware that I am a very avid shooter, and that I am generally more of a range nazi than the workers there. What also kills me is the people who say "But they kick hard don't they?" Yes some guns do, but a .22, .243, and 12 gauge (Rarely used at the range) are nothing like the guns you see on youtube that fly off the guys shoulders and smash the glass at the range.

I guess it just disturbs me that people are scarred of guns. I know there will always be a few, but it shouldn't be the majority. Gun are currently our best form of self defense. Its our 2nd amendment right. People should at least be comfortable around them and know to use them.
 
Many people guide their thoughts and actions on what they see on T.V, and the movies I like the term vidiot! It is your duty to try to introduce them to the pleasure of safe shooting skills.
 
I think some people may be hesitant about going to the range for the first time because they don't yet know all the rules and customs of the hobby, and they're afraid of embarassing themselves (or worse, hurting themselves or someone else). The fact that you're a "range nazi" (your words, not mine) may keep them out of trouble, but it's probably not going to help put them at ease.

Cut the newbies a little slack - a gun range is a loud, unfamiliar place, with a lot of strangers performing unfamiliar rituals. In short, it's probably not the actual thought of shooting a gun that scares them - it's probably more "first time jitters".
 
Ever know anyone killed with a gun? I've known several. Ever know anyone killed with a rock? So far, I haven't known of one, although I knew one killed with a razor. Yes, they are dangerous.

I've owned guns since I was old enough and could afford one but there are still several that I really don't care to shoot.
 
This really surprises you?,,,

After 40+ years of brainwashing by liberal government, teachers, and media?

People fear the unknown,,,
And mostly they fear the unknown that has been made "scary".

I'm 60 years old and work at a university student computer lab,,,
I often invite young students to go to the range,,,
I also receive the same types of comments.

But rather than get disturbed by their ignorance,,,
I try to educate them by repeating the invitation to go plinking.

Over the past few years I've started more than a few young people,,,
On their way to being responsible gun owners.

One young lady I will tell you about,,,
Was so nervous the first time out that she was literally shaking.

Now she owns a Ruger MK-III .22 target pistol,,,
Has her CWL, carries a 9mm CZ-RAMI,,,
And kicks my butt at the range.

So don't despair or disparage,,,
Simply offer to help dispel their misgivings.

Good luck and keep offering.

Aarond

.
 
I can understand the intimidation factor. Truth be told, I like the fact that people are intimidated by guns. It almost makes me feel more comfortable knowing that they will not take anything for granted or such when learning how to hold/fire a gun.

Recently I took my girlfriend to the range for the first time. At first she was very very intimidated even by walking in to the retail area. When we left, she was overwhelmed by that awesome rush of endorphins and can not wait to go back.
 
Fear is understandable, when dealing with something new, especially something potentially hazardous.

I was nervous the first time I got on a motorbike... and some say they are dangerous. As my friend once asked "Dangerous? Really? Has a parked bike ever attacked you as you walked past?" It's the operator that is the hazard, not the contraption!

Now wariness, is another story, and no bad thing in my book: keeps people on their toes, and stops them getting complacent.

In short, I'd give those folks a break: if what one lacks is a chance to form one's own opinions through experience, then it's hard to shake one's prejudices on anything.

Most, whether they enjoyed shooting or not, would probably come away thinking "Well, that wasn't as bad as I expected"

IMHO, the biggest obstacle to widening one's horizons is an irrational fear: it engenders unfounded points of view, and inflexibility in one's opinions.
That's what worries me most.
 
Last edited:
Welcome to the Firing Line, jbat35!

I can also understand why new or non-shooters might be a little intimidated about going to the range. If they're unfamiliar with what goes on there, I'm sure they can conjure up all kinds of ideas of what the range is like, and it's all based on what they see on TV.

I say be patient and take an educational approach. I grew up in a rural area where guns and hunting are common. I don't know where you are, but in some areas, legal guns are as rare as hens' teeth. The truth is that guns are dangerous (that's why we let the police carry them), and they are loud, and they kick (some more, some less). But they're a lot less scary to someone who has been given good, honest information on how to deal with them.
 
Yes, they are dangerous.
Click to expand...

A gun by itself is not dangerous. The person holding the gun CAN make it dangerous or safe... Guns don't do anything on their own and can't be classified as dangerous without taking into account the person holding the gun/knife/razor/slingshot...
 
I had a British gentleman tell me on a non-gun related webboard, that he's "never even seen a gun, and can't imagine shooting one". He also said that was one of the "benefits of living in the UK". I mean really? Not having the ability to defend yourself from thugs is a benefit?

They are really brainwashed.
 
Heh people are still shocked when I tell them neither Oregon nor Washington don't have firearm registration.
Click to expand...

Good ole TX doesn't either... When i worked at a store selling firearms, i often got asked "if I buy a gun, how do I register it"... Even people living in a state with no registration have no clue and only know what they see and hear on TV...
 
precision_shooter said:
Joey Link said:
Heh people are still shocked when I tell them neither Oregon nor Washington don't have firearm registration.
Click to expand...
Good ole TX doesn't either... When i worked at a store selling firearms, i often got asked "if I buy a gun, how do I register it"... Even people living in a state with no registration have no clue and only know what they see and hear on TV...
Click to expand...
I get the same thing in Arkansas.
 
I ought to add here, mainly as a comment on a private message I received, that sometimes it's difficult to tell the difference between a liberal, a conservative and a radical. And there are even progressives, though I've never met one.
 
Maybe you might try a Q&A session . Maybe it might help put people at ease. Or at least get them interested in learning a little more about guns. And I agree all the brain washing that has taken place sure has taken it's toll on us as Americans. The media and Hollyweird make it seem as if you have a gun you are in one of two categories. Those two are you are either a cop or you are a criminal. And maybe the Q&A will explain to them that there is a third category the law abiding citizen. I know when I get a chance I try to share what little knowledge I have.
 
Being an engineer, many of my friends are engineers. Being technically proficient isn't a reason to not fear firearms. One of my friends had a gun held to her head when she was a teenager. One had a friend get shot at a store right in front of him in high school. Some are from places like New England where there is just an anti-gun culture. There are plenty of ways past experiences can give someone a negative outlook on firearms.

Some of my friends just don't have an interest in guns so their only exposure is to what other people tell/show them. At that point it is our responsibility to be that positive influence. Unless you are Gura himself, the best thing you can possibly do to improve our rights is to educate people and show them what a responsible gun owner is. Inform people on the laws, take them shooting, let them see your guns in a safe environment. I can't tell you home many acquaintances, friends, girlfriends, and even family friends I have changed from being anti-gun at least on some level, to at least being open to the idea of firearm ownership. Some more so than others. I have honestly probably taken more anti-gun people shooting in my few short years than I have people who were pro-gun.
 
Back in the late 80's I lost a friend to a gun shot wound to the head. And for a while I was afraid of guns.I could have been one of those that turned anti. But I am glad I did not. Granted it took many years for me to get to the point where I could realize that it was not the gun but the actions of others that caused my friends death. I like it when people say if Guns kill people then cars cause speeding tickets, forks make people fat, pencils make me spell bad and you can add to the list as you see fit.
 
American men, aged 18-20, scared of firearms?

The wussification* of the American Male is nearly complete......



*Ye gads- the profaniity filter made em change it! Proves my point.
 
Ever know anyone killed with a rock?
Click to expand...

Actually? Yea, back in high school a teacher I knew well was driving home from a family vacation in their motor home. 2 kids decided to drop a large rock off a bridge. It went through his windshield and killed him. The guy was one of those really great teachers. Just a nice fellow, always smiling. Amazing the outcome of some just plain stupid choices.

As far as the original question, I think ScottR nailed it. It's kind of an intimidating thing when you're new to it, the rules, the customs, all the unknowns. Everyone wants to seem competent yet you have to learn somewhere. My first rifle came from Walmart. Like them or not, their small counter with their less specialized staff made it easy to browse, ask questions, and buy a gun without feeling like an idiot. Much less intimidating then the Gun shop counter with all of the 'experts' around it. I took many a trip past the gun shop counter without ever asking to see a gun. Not sure what to do or how to buy one. Until I met Joe at my Gander Mountain. Just a great enthusiastic guy that loved guns and liked talking to everyone ... experienced or novice. He helped finally crack the barrier for me. Now years (and many thousands of dollars) later I'm not sure if I should thank him or curse him - hehe. Just kidding, many thanks to Joe for all the good will and help he gave to novices.

I think that's my tip from Joe, just positive talk, patience and honest answers to questions, and an offer to come shoot sometimes. That's about as much as you can do.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top