I know a lot of people believe anti-s are always that way. Some are. I have several in my life. I had an event with one today that reminded me that continuing to engage in discussion with them and demonstrate responsible, thoughtful behavior around firearms and safety can pay off.
This woman was seriously anti-. She previously said that the actual gun I carried would change me in a way that would make me a violent person. That was many months ago. I've continued some contact with her and we do talk about my training, safety measures I take, etc. Today she called me in a panic because a buck was shot on one of her properties by a construction worker, doing some work as part of the crew. She was traumatized because to her it felt like murdering a guardian spirit of sorts, but didn't want to overreact, so called me up to be the voice of the "responsible firearms owner." Through her hysteria, I deciphered the story that a buck had been hanging around. This was in thickly wooded coastal Pacific NW, and her property has the feel of being an extension of the forest, even though it's residential. She had posted no hunting signs and talked with the foreman about her no shooting wildlife (except for safety) on her property feelings. Despite that, a guy saw the buck today, grabbed his gun (unknown type of rifle) and shot the buck through the shoulder, killing it quickly. The other workers freaked out, as did neighbors who heard the shot. State troopers came in and arrested him, confiscated his firearm. She spoke with me via cell on the way to the property. She asked me why someone would do that. I'm not a hunter but I've talked with a few. I said, he's probably a hunter and got excited. You need long guns out that way to defend yourself. Not an excuse for his behavior but sometimes stuff happens and they guy probably feels really awful. Over the course of talking for about an hour, she went from hysterical to calm.
She just called me back. She met the man, who was incredibly remorseful, admitted he just got excited and made a stupid mistake, forgetting where he was and he would never do anything like that again. State is pressing charges for various things, one of which is a felony, I don't know the specifics. She talked with him about the gun and he shared that it was passed down from his grandfather. She got that hunting was part of his lineage, this wasn't about violence. In the end, she decided not to stack any further charges and plans to go to court to testify on his behalf to plea down that felony. She wants him to be able to keep his firearms, even though she's an "anti-." Maybe she's not anymore, she's not sure. Had I not gone out of my way to keep engaging with her, much would be lost for this man who made a stupid mistake. She even pled with his boss not to fire him because he has a family to feed. Thanks to a mod on the board for helping me wade through her hysteria and figure out what would be happening.
I don't mean to justify the guy's actions, or say that all anti-s can change. This one did. She "got" it. She'd never understood hunting culture, the family, the history, the importance of RKBA for him. Now she does.
I remain steadfast in my opinion that if we just wall ourselves off into groups that believe the same things, we will never change. Sometimes it's true, but not always. And I'm not giving up.
This woman was seriously anti-. She previously said that the actual gun I carried would change me in a way that would make me a violent person. That was many months ago. I've continued some contact with her and we do talk about my training, safety measures I take, etc. Today she called me in a panic because a buck was shot on one of her properties by a construction worker, doing some work as part of the crew. She was traumatized because to her it felt like murdering a guardian spirit of sorts, but didn't want to overreact, so called me up to be the voice of the "responsible firearms owner." Through her hysteria, I deciphered the story that a buck had been hanging around. This was in thickly wooded coastal Pacific NW, and her property has the feel of being an extension of the forest, even though it's residential. She had posted no hunting signs and talked with the foreman about her no shooting wildlife (except for safety) on her property feelings. Despite that, a guy saw the buck today, grabbed his gun (unknown type of rifle) and shot the buck through the shoulder, killing it quickly. The other workers freaked out, as did neighbors who heard the shot. State troopers came in and arrested him, confiscated his firearm. She spoke with me via cell on the way to the property. She asked me why someone would do that. I'm not a hunter but I've talked with a few. I said, he's probably a hunter and got excited. You need long guns out that way to defend yourself. Not an excuse for his behavior but sometimes stuff happens and they guy probably feels really awful. Over the course of talking for about an hour, she went from hysterical to calm.
She just called me back. She met the man, who was incredibly remorseful, admitted he just got excited and made a stupid mistake, forgetting where he was and he would never do anything like that again. State is pressing charges for various things, one of which is a felony, I don't know the specifics. She talked with him about the gun and he shared that it was passed down from his grandfather. She got that hunting was part of his lineage, this wasn't about violence. In the end, she decided not to stack any further charges and plans to go to court to testify on his behalf to plea down that felony. She wants him to be able to keep his firearms, even though she's an "anti-." Maybe she's not anymore, she's not sure. Had I not gone out of my way to keep engaging with her, much would be lost for this man who made a stupid mistake. She even pled with his boss not to fire him because he has a family to feed. Thanks to a mod on the board for helping me wade through her hysteria and figure out what would be happening.
I don't mean to justify the guy's actions, or say that all anti-s can change. This one did. She "got" it. She'd never understood hunting culture, the family, the history, the importance of RKBA for him. Now she does.
I remain steadfast in my opinion that if we just wall ourselves off into groups that believe the same things, we will never change. Sometimes it's true, but not always. And I'm not giving up.
. 
