TheBluesMan
Moderator Emeritus
Talked to all three types this weekend. First was a neutral who worked in the gun department of the local sporting goods store. He and I talked about different types of loads for different types of guns for a while; then I mentioned that I was involved with a group trying to get Concealed Carry passed in Ohio. Wow! It was like somebody flipped a switch. All of a sudden this guy was totally against it and was no longer willing to talk to me about guns. He did make a few racist comments about 'certain types' that he wouldn't want to see carrying. His manager came over and overheard him and pulled him into the back room. End of conversation. I walked out.
Second type was a kid packing my groceries and a new copy of a handgun magazine at the supermarket. He looked at the mag and said to me matter of factly, (Ohh..guns are bad.) I didn't know what to say for a second or so, but then told him, 'No, people are bad. Guns are no more bad than my checkbook here.' The cashier kind of shot him a nasty look and he clammed up. The cashier and I then had a short conversation about how we haven't had much time to do any shooting with the holidays so close. I loved it. The kid packed my groceries and seemed stunned that the cashier girl he had his eyes on was a gun owner.
My last stop today was at the local gun shop. Picked up a new holster and asked about leaving a few copies of the CCW petition for people to sign. The guy behind the counter who had been kind of gruff before, grabbed the page and said, "Hell yeah! I'll even sign it right now!" He then called over a few of the folks who worked there and told them about the petition and they all signed also. He even asked for a few extra copies of the petition because he figured he could get them filled really quick. I had only collected a few signatures previous to that, so I felt pretty good about that little exchange.
I am fairly new to this type of 'evangelism,' so I would be very interested to hear about your experiences talking face-to-face with folks about guns, CCW, RKBA, etc. I sometimes find it hard to get started in the conversation, but most people I have met at least seem willing to listen. Perhaps we can all learn something from each other's experiences to put to use in our everyday 'spreading of the word.'
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RKBA!
"The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and security"
Ohio Constitution, Article I, Section 4
Concealed Carry is illegal in Ohio.
Ohioans for Concealed Carry Website
[This message has been edited by TheBluesMan (edited December 19, 1999).]
Second type was a kid packing my groceries and a new copy of a handgun magazine at the supermarket. He looked at the mag and said to me matter of factly, (Ohh..guns are bad.) I didn't know what to say for a second or so, but then told him, 'No, people are bad. Guns are no more bad than my checkbook here.' The cashier kind of shot him a nasty look and he clammed up. The cashier and I then had a short conversation about how we haven't had much time to do any shooting with the holidays so close. I loved it. The kid packed my groceries and seemed stunned that the cashier girl he had his eyes on was a gun owner.
My last stop today was at the local gun shop. Picked up a new holster and asked about leaving a few copies of the CCW petition for people to sign. The guy behind the counter who had been kind of gruff before, grabbed the page and said, "Hell yeah! I'll even sign it right now!" He then called over a few of the folks who worked there and told them about the petition and they all signed also. He even asked for a few extra copies of the petition because he figured he could get them filled really quick. I had only collected a few signatures previous to that, so I felt pretty good about that little exchange.
I am fairly new to this type of 'evangelism,' so I would be very interested to hear about your experiences talking face-to-face with folks about guns, CCW, RKBA, etc. I sometimes find it hard to get started in the conversation, but most people I have met at least seem willing to listen. Perhaps we can all learn something from each other's experiences to put to use in our everyday 'spreading of the word.'
------------------
RKBA!
"The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and security"
Ohio Constitution, Article I, Section 4
Concealed Carry is illegal in Ohio.
Ohioans for Concealed Carry Website
[This message has been edited by TheBluesMan (edited December 19, 1999).]