Why are gun forums so vitriolic?

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I think it’s just the fact there’s a lotta self-righteous, know-it all’s, and/or jerks out there and the gun community; like every other communtiy have them too. Some forums like this one crackdown on it, some let it run rampant.
 
Unless it is something like 9mm versus 45 or Glock versus all comers. Oh, and that includes all Creedmoor threads as well.

Many other forums have political sections.. Then you have gun laws, e.g., bump stocks, open carry, shootings of unarmed men, revolver vs semiauto, budget brands vs more expensive brands, AR vs AK, 1911s vs Glocks, the NRA, etc... Plenty of topics that will ultimately end in a locked thread.
 
I'm part of this forum because with a few exceptions it is usually a friendly place to discuss firearms...Most others are not,some are outright argumentative and bullying. I think the whole country has headed in this direction. Everyone is transmitting at full wattage ,but very few have working receivers anymore. Also it is easy to be a complete jerk online where there are no consequences for bad behavior like in face to face interaction.
 
Many other forums have political sections.. Then you have gun laws, e.g., bump stocks, open carry, shootings of unarmed men, revolver vs semiauto, budget brands vs more expensive brands, AR vs AK, 1911s vs Glocks, the NRA, etc... Plenty of topics that will ultimately end in a locked thread.
Sorry, I was semi-humorously tweaking the mods a bit about allowing the old tried and true gunmag type postings where the gunwriters used to pit one product against another simply to stir the pot end enrage, er I mean engage, the readership.

Those type posts simply amuse or bore me and as the quote goes, the vitriol goes up when the stakes are so small.

The open carry, training, NFA, NRA, and self defense posts are really no joke nor the legal ones. I take that sort of posts seriously.
 
It's not perfect, but neither are we. It takes all kinds to make an online community, but most would devolve into an ego-fueled general melee if there was no damping mechanism. Our moderators tame the muzzle blast a bit, and regardless of what brush you try to paint them with, their efforts keep us moving toward the light.
 
Oh ya, the car forums definitely get heated over little things! Heaven forbid I mention my love for old Chevys on the Mopar forum I frequent! LOL. And yes! Politics often get pulled onto threads. How a transmission preference can morph to a political tirade mystifies me!

THR is really the only shooting related forum I spend much time in. The moderators/staff are great at keeping topics on point.

In general many folks seem to have become overly tribal of late. " You re either with me or against me" kind on mentality.

But unfortunately,.it seems civility and humanity seems to be lost on a large chunk of the population. Instead, many folks pick a side and refuse to budge. I hope we can some day get back to an "Us and Us" mentaility as a nation, capable of finding common ground to become unified as the great nation we are.


Just as my parents instilled in me and my siblings, I must be an example and teach my kids to be open, empathetic and compassionate people. To teach them to not stereotype people. That there are outstanding people that lean left as well as right. That good people are good people, regardless of their race, religion, views on politics, 2a or anything else. To form their own opinions, beliefs and convictions. It's easy to pile on and be part of the crowd. It's much harder to be open and willing to entertain opinions and beliefs that differ from one's own.

That is what I believe is important to finding solutions to the " funk" this country (and some forums) is experiencing nowadays. I believe It starts by challenging one's self to look inward as well as outward. Talking (not preaching) to those that have different feelings/beliefs, opening real dialogues without an agenda. Dropping the tribal garbage is a good start IMO.

Be well all.
 
I suspect that a fair number of gun owners did not respond to questions about gun ownership or the polling

I suspect many people did not reply to the Pew poll. There is a number of people who are unaware there is a firearm in the house. It is not usual to have a woman come into a store with a handgun wrapped in a towel. Out comes all kinds of stuff. Some war trophy's. antiques and Owl heads and more. "My relative died and I found this in his things." I, for one, will not reply to a poll generally. Pew would be different.
 
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The only forum that is gun related that I could not stick with is the S&W forum. The moderators were so ultra sensitive to anything that could be interpreted as a "political" remark that members were being suspended and banned almost willy nilly it seemed. I regularly come here, as well to the Rugerforum, the Glocktalk forum, the Firing Line and others that while occasionally get heated, for the most part are civil and informative. Even the motorcycle forums that I participate in are generally civil or if disparaging, are done in good humor (there is always the issue of Harley Davidson versus Japanese brands). The social media forums that are ALWAYS out of hand are those unmoderated and I avoid these totally.
 
One forum that I enjoy that does have very sound information. There is good moderation generally. On the downside is a clique of moderation's that tend to be biased. However, the overall situation is positive. If I don't join in these clique people will have to come to my house. That, and quickly forget who I am. That's is OK:)

Addendum:I visit the Glock forum and recall that was a general clean up there including the language. I carry a G23.4 in my gear and like to keep up with what going on in that world.
 
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Guns and college football forums immediately go personal. Usually the first response is personal.
 
This forum does a decent job of stepping in and cooling things down, but I'm on several forums for everything from ATVs to pickups and only on gun forums do I see so much sniping at each other and insults. I've had to walk away from all but a couple of gun forums and only this one and Cast Boolits are generally civil.?

I pretty much have my gun forum participation pared down to this site, Cast Boolits, and TaurusArmed.net.. Cast Boolits has a few members that push the limits when the discussion of reloading presses comes up, though they are a well rounded bunch of people looking to have fun and promote that hobby. Taurus Armed is a privately run site and has no connection this Taurus Firearms. Though the sight revolves much around Taurus firearms there are plenty of members that stay and no longer own any Taurus. Most of the site is handgun related. I can't recall anyone ever having a problem with other members.

Gave up on cars long ago, now I just oogle. Then there are fishing sites and they can get pretty feisty also, a lot of brand loyalty and don't ask about fresh water spearing.
 
Everyone is opinionated about everything today, don't nobody know how to say IDK anymore? (Purposely written in bad grammar to offset vitriolic.)
 
On one forum the Co-Ax press is a hot button topic. One school contends that this press is a God-sent maker of precision reloads. The other group claims the mighty Co-Ax is just another press. One of the guru's contended the Co-Ax was stronger than a Rockchucker. It was "on" for a time in that thread. The proper response would have been "...that's interesting." I flunked. It was nuts including my fanning the fire. Of late, there is an improvement with my periodic relapses. Reflecting on these threads one could find trivial junk with way too much emotional investment. This is the way I feel in my right mind.
 
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lol, I have actually told sales people at stores that "I don't know" is an acceptable answer, in fact, even preferred if they really don't know.
If I don't know the answer to a customer's question I always say IDK. You never know when a customer is asking a question to which they know the answer but want to see if I do or how I'll handle not knowing. Usually I say "Let's go ask my friend Google."
 
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