coyote_jr
member
I would like this thread to deal entirely with firearms related articles in the media, and responses to those articles. This is pure activism, no discussion. My hope is that by having a thread devoted to posting articles from the web, both pro and anti, it will become a resource for members here, and will encourage members to respond to the articles. Another goal is that by seeing other members post their responses, they too are compelled to respond, and by seeing how several members respond to the same article, we learn more about how people think, learn ways to better organize and explain our arguments, etc.
Also, I would like to see any responses from the original authors if they happen. The ideal set up would be this:
Original article-THR member response (usually email)-response from original author (if any)
It would be most effective when posting to include either all or most of the original article followed by a member's response.
My hope is that there will be as little side discussions as possible in order to focus on the content of article/response. If you wanted to tell someone "nice job" or "excellent response" maybe you could just pm them.
I think this will be effective in getting our voice heard a little louder because I know me personally, if I saw 20-30 members post their responses to a particular article, I would be less hesitant to do so. I would probably read through most of the responses to see if I could use anything in my own.
Here's my example:
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2007/08/07/columns/columns44.txt
(That was my personal email reply)
If any response from his side came back I would edit to add.
Also, if other members in kind responded to this article with an email of their own to the author, please add all or part of the original article to your post to not get responses mixed up.
I hope this catches on, I think it will encourage others to make their voices heard by seeing several members show that they responded. Again: article/response/response(if any) Try not to engage in discussion. I don't think this Activism forum is serving its intended purpose well and this is my attempt to get more active.
Also, I would like to see any responses from the original authors if they happen. The ideal set up would be this:
Original article-THR member response (usually email)-response from original author (if any)
It would be most effective when posting to include either all or most of the original article followed by a member's response.
My hope is that there will be as little side discussions as possible in order to focus on the content of article/response. If you wanted to tell someone "nice job" or "excellent response" maybe you could just pm them.
I think this will be effective in getting our voice heard a little louder because I know me personally, if I saw 20-30 members post their responses to a particular article, I would be less hesitant to do so. I would probably read through most of the responses to see if I could use anything in my own.
Here's my example:
http://www.thesunchronicle.com/articles/2007/08/07/columns/columns44.txt
A weekend in Las Vegas! The lights, the casinos, the shows, the glitz, the noise, the - guns?
"This here's the easiest to start with. It's got less kick so it's easier to control."
Into my hand he plops a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver. It's only the second time in my life I've actually touched a gun (the first being during a Boy Scout trip). My hand droops under the surprising weight of the pistol. He chuckles. What am I doing here?
It's Saturday afternoon, and having lost too much money all too quickly at the poker tables, my buddy and I are seeking refuge from the dry Nevada heat at a gun club a few miles off the Strip. We can't remember whose idea it was, but neither of us thought we'd actually go through with it.
"That's a great little gun there," the other salesguy chimes in. "I'm giving one to my niece for her 21st birthday. She's a fine shot." I'm not sure whether he's boasting or poking fun at me - probably both. Apparently, I'm holding a girl's gun.
"Guns are great to have around," he continues. "Just like seat belts and fire extinguishers - you don't know when you're going to need one, but when there's an intruder in my house I'll be glad to have it." I look around and watch a dozen or so gun-toting, plaid-wearing bearded guys nod in agreement. I decide now's not the time to mention that children can't accidentally kill themselves by playing with seat belts and a fire can't steal your fire extinguisher and use it against you.
Having completed my eight-second firearm tutorial, I don my safety goggles and large red earmuffs and head for the shooting range. Carefully cradling my pistol and a box of 50 .38 Specials to my chest, I ease my way down to lane number six. Every few seconds I violently twitch as another gun is fired; even with ear protection the noise is deafening. I'll be glad to get out of here without soiling my undergarments.
I take my target - a large off-white sheet featuring a potential intruder's head and torso - and clip it to the metal pole above me. A flick of a switch sends it flying backward into space. I load my pistol and take aim, briefly wondering how much it hurts to accidentally shoot oneself in the foot.
I squeeze off shot after shot, jumping at the sound of each one. Some people feel powerful with a pistol in their hand; I feel terror. I reload rapidly, hoping I run out of rounds before I run out of luck and end up with nine fingers.
It's not until I leave that I relax enough to take a look at my target. Though I aimed at my intruder's heart on every shot, most sailed wide, past his right shoulder. When I find an intruder in my house, I'll just throw a fire extinguisher at him.
BILL ZUCK, a former Foxboro resident, is relieved to still have all of his digits. You can reach him at [email protected].
Mr. Zuck,
It is unfortunate that your experience at the range in Las Vegas went the way it did. Could you possibly let me know what the name of the establishment was so I can avoid it in the future when I am in Las Vegas visiting family? I also find it unfortunate that in your article you felt the need to advance certain stereotypes of gun owners and the gun culture. I am not quite sure what the point of your article was other than to reveal your own fear of weapons to others. If you would like to have an enjoyable shooting experience, unlike your Las Vegas area experience, there are plenty of other indoor and outdoor ranges you could go to, including several right there in Southern Mass. Again, too bad about your experience in Vegas. That shop and the gentlemen you encountered by no means is a reflection of all gun owners and gun ranges.
Respectfully,
Mr. XXXXXXXXX
(That was my personal email reply)
If any response from his side came back I would edit to add.
Also, if other members in kind responded to this article with an email of their own to the author, please add all or part of the original article to your post to not get responses mixed up.
I hope this catches on, I think it will encourage others to make their voices heard by seeing several members show that they responded. Again: article/response/response(if any) Try not to engage in discussion. I don't think this Activism forum is serving its intended purpose well and this is my attempt to get more active.