Mild success story, thought i would share

[trickyasafox]

Many people here know I am a grad student at a NYC university. As such, I am usually in a very unfriendly gun environment.

Fewer people may know that I am a Resident Assistant (kinda gives general information and helps let people know university policy)

Being an RA, my room is high traffic with residents that have concerns or just want to stop by and say hi. On my 'coffee table' in my dorm room is a copy of Armed America, and tonight it got a solid conversation going.

Two other RAs were in my room hanging out and watching movies. They noticed the book, and commented on how cute the kid on the cover was. I decided to sit back and see how they would play things out.

They both picked up the book, and started casually flipping through the pages pointing out pets, kids, cute couples and things of that nature. Eventually though, they started to take note of the firearms themselves, and began asking questions.

some were pretty generic, and what you'd expect from people not familiar with firearms. A lot of "I didn't know gun owners liked pets!" and random statements like that stumbled out.

They asked me if I had firearms, how many, why i have them etc etc. and I gave them a brief answer without coming off high or mighty; but left it open ended if they wanted to pick it up later.

One of the girls then noted she reads my blog (http://gunzandshi*.blogspot.com replace *with t) and thought it was neat that i was well informed and took the time to write about my hobbies, and she liked the pictures.

basically it was a good intro conversation and I really think I helped clear out a couple stereotypes about Gun owners.

Not a massive victory, but enough to bring a smile to my face

 

[Apple a Day]

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Goodonya for getting those folks to take their first step.

 

[FieroCDSP]

They could be spies from the campus ninja force. No, really, good job. The more people that know that we aren't kill-crazy nuts just because we own and like to shoot guns, the better off we all are.

 

[Technosavant]

The popular stereotype of gun owners is uneducated, ignorant, "redneck" type individuals who are very likely to be borderline psychotic with a thirst for the blood of the innocent. And I think we're all supposed to be NASCAR fans too.

However, many folks are seeing the light, and they are realizing that firearm enthusiasts are a mix of folks. Some are conservative, some liberal, some moderate. Some are farmers and factory workers, some are doctors, lawyers, and preachers. We tend to be very law abiding and thoughtful.

However, that hasn't stopped antis from trying to continue the stereotype. Nobody would think of perpetuating stereotypes based on race, gender, sexual preference, religion, or things like that, but for some reason ownership of a firearm will immediately get us cubbyholed.

 

[Acera]

Based on this thread, I just ordered the book from Amazon.

Thanks,

 

[10 Ring Tao]

What many people unfairly categorize as 'anti' is really just a lack of information, exposure to living breathing gun owners, and personal experience.

The average default disposition regarding guns in this country is slightly anti, only because of media portrayal. Generally, all these people need to at least accept the reality of gun ownership in this country, is a bit of initiation and counter to the negative stereotypes they've been exposed to. Gun owners need to be humanized to them, because all they've been exposed to are generic, and often faceless bodies holding guns, and using them in some illegal act.

I understand the desire to vehemently attack those who appear anti, but before you do, make sure they aren't just uninitiated. Offer yourself up as a shining example of REAL (ie. the majority) gun owners. Your one positive humanizing example will replace the only previously negative example they've been given thus far in their lives.