JeepHammer
SHOOTER
When people ask questions, how do you answer?
Not only the answer, but how you act as you answer?
I watched a full volume screaming crap fight between a guy open carrying and a couple soccer moms in a fast food restaurant this weekend, and it was so stupid I can't even express it.
The soccer moms had kids with them, they got triggered, and the guy carrying triggered about 10 seconds later.
Now I know the argument about open carry, and concealed carry...
Without getting into that argument, you simply don't have these issues when you conceal.
Since the argument/screaming match happened in line in front of me, I simply left when the soccer moms called police.
----------
The absloute newbie asking what firearm ("gun") would YOU buy?
Even through I've been asked a 1,000 times, the demeanor is rehearsed... I'll admit that.
With the current crop of rabid, militant anti-gunners, *I Think* (personally) demeanor is important,
You just never know when it's a troll or ligitimate question...
SO...
I step back slightly, look deep in thought, take my time to answer...
Even though the answer is obvious, I *Try* to look like I'm in respectful thought.
When I speak, it's calmly and clearly.
I *Attempt* to correct the term 'Gun' for 'Firearm', and I usually emphasize EDUCATION.
I emphasize the responsibility of owning a firearm.
I tell them a firearms safety class will usually give them the option of firing several types and making a selection based on what fits them best.
I recommend they start with something simple that runs (emphasis on 'RUNS'), and something that is smaller caliber/cheaper to shoot so they go learn how to hit a target.
----------------
Since I actually conceal carry in town, I rarely get into the emotional, screaming confrontations.
When I'm somewhere the subject comes up, I stay as rational & calm as possible, since every militant anti-gunner is reacting on an emotional level, I *Try* to calm things down so the rational part of the brain starts to work in them.
Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't and you simply waste breath...
It's not the first time, it won't be the last time unless I drop dead today, so it's no big deal.
I at least tried, and the added benefit is anyone watching (and the militants always want an audience) sees a firearms owner as a calm, rational person under attack, while the screaming militant looks/acts like a lunatic off their meds. (Which always makes me smile when I'm away from the situation)
Don't get me wrong, I can get quite worked up, we all can...
I'm just not about to do it while I'm carrying a firearm, even with a permit.
The LAST thing I want is police showing up to TWO screaming people, one is a ARMED man, guess who the police firearms get pointed at?
Guess who's police file gets an 'Armed Contact' notation for every other police department to find on the computer from that day forward?
-----------
As for what firearm question...
The one that runs as close to 100% of the time you know of.
One that's smaller/cheaper caliber so it's fun to shoot, it doesn't break your shoulder/wrist, easily manageable recoil, your ears don't take a beating, and your wallet doesn't go inverted!
I start new shooters on pellet guns.
Cost, recoil & sound are all really small, so you can work on fundamentals like safety, sighting & trigger control.
Then it's time for actual firearms, it's a .17 HMR or .22 LR.
Again, no broken budgets, shoulders or eardrums...
I find even the smallest woman or child into double digits in age can manage a bolt rimfire, and with the cost it's not a problem cutting down the stocks for the smaller folks.
If you don't think back to plinking with a pea shooter and it still puts a grin on your face, you probably didn't grow up with BB/pellet guns and .22 LR.
Just seeing the looks on faces when they experience this takes me back, the big grins & sense of accomplishment when point of impact is point of aim is still fun to watch!
Then it's 10/22 rifles to introduce them to semi-auto.
I still stress single shot placement, but everyone gets the big grin back when they click off rounds, and a 10/22 is about as cost efficient/reliable as pea shooters come.
Once they learn SAFE HANDLING and some basics, then they can choose more powerful firearms.
-----------
How do you guys handle the newbies & trolls?
Not only the answer, but how you act as you answer?
I watched a full volume screaming crap fight between a guy open carrying and a couple soccer moms in a fast food restaurant this weekend, and it was so stupid I can't even express it.
The soccer moms had kids with them, they got triggered, and the guy carrying triggered about 10 seconds later.
Now I know the argument about open carry, and concealed carry...
Without getting into that argument, you simply don't have these issues when you conceal.
Since the argument/screaming match happened in line in front of me, I simply left when the soccer moms called police.
----------
The absloute newbie asking what firearm ("gun") would YOU buy?
Even through I've been asked a 1,000 times, the demeanor is rehearsed... I'll admit that.
With the current crop of rabid, militant anti-gunners, *I Think* (personally) demeanor is important,
You just never know when it's a troll or ligitimate question...
SO...
I step back slightly, look deep in thought, take my time to answer...
Even though the answer is obvious, I *Try* to look like I'm in respectful thought.
When I speak, it's calmly and clearly.
I *Attempt* to correct the term 'Gun' for 'Firearm', and I usually emphasize EDUCATION.
I emphasize the responsibility of owning a firearm.
I tell them a firearms safety class will usually give them the option of firing several types and making a selection based on what fits them best.
I recommend they start with something simple that runs (emphasis on 'RUNS'), and something that is smaller caliber/cheaper to shoot so they go learn how to hit a target.
----------------
Since I actually conceal carry in town, I rarely get into the emotional, screaming confrontations.
When I'm somewhere the subject comes up, I stay as rational & calm as possible, since every militant anti-gunner is reacting on an emotional level, I *Try* to calm things down so the rational part of the brain starts to work in them.
Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't and you simply waste breath...
It's not the first time, it won't be the last time unless I drop dead today, so it's no big deal.
I at least tried, and the added benefit is anyone watching (and the militants always want an audience) sees a firearms owner as a calm, rational person under attack, while the screaming militant looks/acts like a lunatic off their meds. (Which always makes me smile when I'm away from the situation)
Don't get me wrong, I can get quite worked up, we all can...
I'm just not about to do it while I'm carrying a firearm, even with a permit.
The LAST thing I want is police showing up to TWO screaming people, one is a ARMED man, guess who the police firearms get pointed at?
Guess who's police file gets an 'Armed Contact' notation for every other police department to find on the computer from that day forward?
-----------
As for what firearm question...
The one that runs as close to 100% of the time you know of.
One that's smaller/cheaper caliber so it's fun to shoot, it doesn't break your shoulder/wrist, easily manageable recoil, your ears don't take a beating, and your wallet doesn't go inverted!
I start new shooters on pellet guns.
Cost, recoil & sound are all really small, so you can work on fundamentals like safety, sighting & trigger control.
Then it's time for actual firearms, it's a .17 HMR or .22 LR.
Again, no broken budgets, shoulders or eardrums...
I find even the smallest woman or child into double digits in age can manage a bolt rimfire, and with the cost it's not a problem cutting down the stocks for the smaller folks.
If you don't think back to plinking with a pea shooter and it still puts a grin on your face, you probably didn't grow up with BB/pellet guns and .22 LR.
Just seeing the looks on faces when they experience this takes me back, the big grins & sense of accomplishment when point of impact is point of aim is still fun to watch!
Then it's 10/22 rifles to introduce them to semi-auto.
I still stress single shot placement, but everyone gets the big grin back when they click off rounds, and a 10/22 is about as cost efficient/reliable as pea shooters come.
Once they learn SAFE HANDLING and some basics, then they can choose more powerful firearms.
-----------
How do you guys handle the newbies & trolls?