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

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"American men, aged 18-20, scared of firearms?

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

This made me laugh really hard. As for educating, I do feel I do a decent job. I have taught countless people how to shoot with correct form and operate firearms. However, in all of those cases people knew I did and asked me to show them how to shoot firearms, of which I have no objection to. It just seemed odd to me on asking people that I really started getting this impression of people being scarred of guns.

I know the engineering thing doesn't really do much, for you can understand a motorcycle completely but be scarred to drive it. Just in general, I find that when people understand things they are less scarred of them.

As for the range nazi comment, I never go over and flip out on people at the range or even give the impression to people that if they do something wrong they will be smacked. If someone does something wrong, I will tell them what, why, and how to prevent it. I have seen 20 gauge shells loaded in 12 gauge shotguns. I have also seen people walk around pointing guns in the direction of people at the range with their gun loaded because they weren't watching their muzzle control. In those situations, I sometimes get heated. But situations like that don't happen when I teach people, for I inform them the general rules, how to operate the gun, and general safety before they even touch it. When shooting at a range, the gun stays pointed forward on the bench, and they never have to move it anywhere but up to align their sights and shoot.

Also, I just wanted to say that can we try to prevent having politics enter the thread. Nothing so far is bad, but a few mentions of liberal, conservative, or politics can make the thread go south really quick.
 
Jimbob86,
I think most young males world wide would rather spend their time and money or hair products and moisturiser, rather than get outdoors and do something.
Tis sad really.
 
Some are from places like New England where there is just an anti-gun culture.
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You must be talking about SOUTHERN New England. Not true up in the northern tier, where lots of folks grow up in the hunting/shooting culture even now.

People are simply frightened by anything they don't understand. In a way, a certain degree of fear for what a firearm can do to a living organism is right and a good thing... they can kill you if used improperly.

People are also afraid of looking bad in the eyes of others. Better to avoid trying something than trying it and looking like you don't know what you're doing :rolleyes:
 
18-20 year old guys not liking guns? Not here, not a chance. Guns are about the same as currency here. And everyone has a gun. From a little kid with a .22 to an old woman with a .38 and everything in between. All of my friends own guns. Heck, even the biggest nerd in school had guns, his dad is an avid collector and shooter, even full auto stuff I believe. My fiancé wasnt a fan of guns, now she likes going to the range a lot. It took a lot of convincing on my part, but after the first time she's always happy to go now. She even invites her friends to go with us.
 
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?
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Well that's the UK for you. They are EXPERTS at "social engineering" and "protectionism". Something that we here in the US have to watch for, because it's already been going for years. The Second Amendment is needless to say, a hugh hurdle to their plans.

I may be wrong, but I think your standard folding pocket knife is pretty much illegal in the UK now. Won't catch me over there, i'm never without at least one defensive tool...even if it's a small knife.
 
I'm with a group of instructors who teach an NRA Basic Handgun class about once a month at a local range. Over the last several years, our classes have been full or nearly full. Probably 80% to 90% of our students had never even touched a gun prior to the class, and about 30% of our students are women.

Even though these folks have paid money to come to the class to learn about handguns, almost all of them start out a little afraid and intimidated by guns. We find that's a good thing, because it causes them to really listen and pay attention to matters of safety.

Our overall message, which appears in our experience to be well received, is that while guns have a great potential to be dangerous, it is possible to learn to handle and manage them safely.
 
Use the opportunity to educate them.

We were having dinner with friends who were in from LA and Mrs. Friend took great interest in the fact that we are "preppers". She said she wanted to start storing supplies in case of an emergency, societal collapse, etc.

I asked if they had thought about a security plan and she flat out said that she was scared of guns because of "the violence associated with them". Instead of scoffing, I listened patiently and said I understood but said that we wouldn't blame a car if it was used in a drive-by so why would we blame another inanimate object.

By the end of dinner, she was convinced that she needed to take an introductory shooting course and that they needed at least one gun in the house.

Patient education can convert the uninformed.
 
Should be "scared", not "scarred".

Aside from that, I am amazed in the change in public opinion on guns since the generation that fought to win freedom from tyrany during WWII. Using the currently popular liberal mindset, we coud not repeat that victory.
 
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...
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Even though this must be true on some level, I question the wisdom of putting it in print. There's enough morons who may read such a statement, and consequently not respect a gun enough because of it.

The gun is dangerous and demands your respect is a much more useful statement.
 
I've been lucky enough to take a few friends with no previous expierence to the range and teach them to shoot safely. Have not had one person leave that didn't leave wanting to get a gun. They all were a little nervous at first but quickly developed a fondness for it once they discovered that shooting didn't hurt and became acclimated to the recoil & blast.
Loads of fun on my part too.
 
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...
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I always cringe at the statement that guns are not dangerous. Of course they are. Although they may not be dangerous locked in a safe, they are inherently dangerous by design. It is the reason we spend so much time on safe handling and use. Guns are a central part of many of our lives for a lot reasons, but to deny that they are only safe when handled carefully and properly is to help the people who think we should not have them at all IMO.

I agree with the comments that people are always afraid of what they don't know. Add to that a pervasive campaign by the anti-gun crowd to convince everyone that guns are the reason for violent crime, and it is no surprise that kids are afraid them.
 
I always cringe at the statement that guns are not dangerous.
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Any tool can be dangerous if used or stored incorrectly, but it takes a person to make that happen.

Such worry warts that repeat "GUNS r DANGEOUS!!!!!!!!!11111!!!" are tools: Tools of those who would protect us from ourselves, at the expense of our Liberty.

I'll keep my "dangeous" guns, and my Liberty.
 
jimbo86 you are entitled to your opinion.:) I believe that those who would claim that guns are not dangerous, are more helpful to those who would save us from ourselves than those of us who understand that they are. Do not think for a minute that my feelings on this subject reduces my passion for the 2A. To imply otherwise shows a lack of understanding that we who honor liberty do not all have to march to the same beat.
 
Aside from that, I am amazed in the change in public opinion on guns since the generation that fought to win freedom from tyrany during WWII. Using the currently popular liberal mindset, we coud not repeat that victory.
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I've been reading up on the founding fathers lately. It seems very clear that if the political folks in charge today had founded this nation, it would be a very different place indeed. And not for the better.
 
Have had a couple of VERY anti-gun "progressives" in Seattle have bad experiences in the city and got Nothing from the city police so come to me for suggestions and training in gun handling. I have found their politics remain mostly left but on the 2nd they do a strong 180 though they still can't believe they don't have to get a government license to do what they now enjoy. They often relax when I tell them that the gun will be "registered" to them by the FFL reporting the purchase to WA DOL Dept. It always strikes me funny when people feel in their little mind washed fashion that a government permission to exercise their rights makes it all better.
I have also had a "gentleman" berate me in a store when I and my two sons stopped for snacks on the way to the range. He overheard them talking about what guns they wanted to shoot first. His invitation to STFU was rather strongly suggested...take all kinds I guess but it becomes hard not to think of wolves vs sheep. :confused:

Oh OK, to be PC make it Sheep dogs and sheep.
 
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*Ye gads- the profaniity filter made em change it! Proves my point.
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The profanity filter is there for a reason. If it doesn't jibe with what you're typing, consider a different way of wording your point.

I should also warn that framing the issue as a contrast between "liberal" and "conservative" ideologies helps nothing. I know a few shooters who consider themselves liberal, and who've done more for our 2nd Amendment rights than many folks who identify as conservatives. The issue isn't as black and white as many would like to think, and the gun culture has done itself a great disservice by painting it as such.

The plain fact is this: a debate started in the 1960's that many of us missed and couldn't be troubled to participate in. A group pushing the idea of gun control as positive social engineering had great success for several decades. We are just now gaining back that mindshare, and it's not going to be an overnight process.
 
I believe that those who would claim that guns are not dangerous, are more helpful to those who would save us from ourselves than those of us who understand that they are.
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OK, Convince me. Ready, Set, GO!
 
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