introducing a liberal to guns

[bpetro]

One of my goals as a responsible shooter and patriotic citizen is to help protect the 2nd amendment by introducing new people to the shooting sports. Over the years I've enjoyed going to the range with a handful of new shooters and they've all been happy with the experience. I've also taught the NRA Eddie the eagle class on gun safety to kids on a church camping trip.

Lately I've had a new door opened to me. I'm lucky enough to work with quite a few young idealistic college students. Many of these kids are pretty liberal and are dubious of 2nd amendment rights. That being said I recently bought a 10-22 and in showing it to one of these guys asked if he'd like to go to the range with me. He has cautiously agreed and as soon as I get my hands on some ammo (had to order it on back-order) I'm going to take him out. It will be the first time he's ever gone shooting. My theory with him (and those like him) is that if I can just get a 22 in his hands once, it could change his perspective on gun rights for the rest of his life.

So....all that being said... does anyone have experience/advice about "dos" and "don'ts" with him? Obviously I'll run him through all the safety stuff and do my best not to look like a gun nut to him. Any constructive input?

Thanks!

[hoffmang]

Start here.

-Gene

[socaldsal]

I tried with an old childhood friend of mine. I went into the Army and he went to college. A few years later I convinced him and his sister to come along the next time we went to the range. Matter of fact it WAS a 10/22 that I made him shoot first.

He still believes that no one NEEDS to own a gun, but doesn't care if people do. He sees them as a waste of money. I'll waste my money how I want, but at least he doesn't think that all guns belong in a big smoldering trash bin. FWIW, he'd want a shotgun now, but would rather buy insane amounts of beer that goes stale before he gets to them before he'd buy one I guess.

Do's and don'ts?

Teach the basic safety rules, and work through the operation of the particular firearm. While shooting, teach trigger control, breathing control, and how to aim. Don't criticize shot groups even if they look like a shotgun spread on the paper, it IS a fam-fire. Then move in to challenging for the "best" shots, ie. headshots only, 1" group, whatever. The key is keeping it relaxed and not laying on the pressure. Once it registers in your groups collective that this is actually a "fun" and competitive activity that requires more thought and science than point and shoot like in the movies, it should be ok. You've really done all you could to attempt to change a person's mind. A LOT of folks don't like having political stuff crammed down their throats from the get go, it's a gradual process, so don't bring every pamphlet you have attempting to change their world views all in one day. That would just make them go on the defensive and shut you out when it comes to this topic.

Bottom line, make it fun, and show them that there is a science to shooting. Make them understand that movies and most depiction of firing a weapon are BS.

I told my buddy that day that he should "sack the eff up, quit being such a poon", and let "both balls drop like a real American male". That was out of frustration because he was just not confident around a little .22 and asked me to do everything but pull the trigger. After that comment I wondered why he kinda gave me the a-hole look and why his sister started laughing. Then I remembered that his med file that I went over to check for inconsistencies as a favor said he was born with a uni-ball. Don't do this. Negative attitudes can work against you....even if they're justified in your mind, especially if you want to paint the picture that firearms folks are nice folks. Keeping a cool head while teaching is a must for a good hitch free time. Your group results may vary.

Have a good one, go forth and create more gungeeks in the name of John Moses Browning.

[Rivers]

Then move in to challenging for the "best" shots, ie. headshots only, 1" group, whatever.

Using "man" targets may not be good for a first time shooter. Using a simple bullseye target is about as politically neutral as you can get, allowing the newbie to focus on the sport of shooting. Get past that threshold and then you can address topics such as self defense, etc. without the gun being inherently evil. After all, the newbie already shot the circle targets and knows that there was nothing wrong with that. Had he started with the man targets, he might have jumped into the thought train that guns are all about killing people, which is absolutely not the case. But he'd already be pulling away from the station thinking that.

[gravedigger]

I recently bought a 10-22 and in showing it to one of these guys asked if he'd like to go to the range with me. He has cautiously agreed and as soon as I get my hands on some ammo [...] I'm going to take him out.

Yeah, if he's a liberal, that is probably best.

[socaldsal]

Rivers, Good point, now that I think about it you're right. My personal favorite target when I need to scratch an itchy trigger finger are the Shoot-n-See things that pop from an all black bulls eye to that fluorescent lime color. THAT would be an awesome target for a first time shooter, and allow for little mini contests on who can shoot better. I think I made the mistake of using a target that had the bad guy holding a hostage. Don't do that either I suppose.

You get to reconfirm zero when you shoot also, which is always a plus.

Another thing you may want to consider is the choice of firearms as they progress, if they do. I know it might sound stupid, but if your 10/22 has a Dragunov style Choate stock with a custom camo job and a scope, it might make them jump a hell of a lot more than a plain jane, iron sighted, wood stock 10/22. Appearances are everything to a first time shooter, and would probably feel more comfortable shooting something that looks like it belongs on a farm vs. something that popped out of Resident Evil. Unless you want to raise the non-threatening atmosphere to newbies around firearms by painting it pink...not what I would do, but I've seen it done and got a chuckle out of it. Farm appropriate, like you're defending yourself in court, because in a way, you are.

Fundamentals using iron sights only also. Going from a scoped rifle to an iron sight only rifle makes for some bad habits to form.

[phamkl]

I believe shooting liberals is illegal.



Edit - reread the OP. Nevermind.

[M1884]

New shooters really get a charge from shooting clay pigeons on the berm, too.

Like I've said before, we need to broaden the base of gun buffs by gender, ethnicity and political leaning, or we will face demographic extinction. Keep up the good work.

[Netlemming]

My wife is as liberal as one can get without being labeled a radical, and she was raised in North Dakota. I recently showed her my Gamo air rifle. She was pissed! A week later I showed her a Henry lever action 22lr, and she didn't like that. I let her hold the rifle, she refused at first but eventually did. I also had her dry fire the rifle.

One day, I showed her my 1000 rds of 9mm, each in their individual holders and boxes. She was a bit amused. I then held a box of the ammo and a paring knife and ask her which is more dangerous to you, right now. Without thinking, she pointed to the knife. Just about each day, I talk to her about gun safety. It will take time, but she is more comfortable with firearms.

I haven't showed her the Sig P226 yet, and I'm in the market for a shotgun. We'll see how those will go with her.

A wise man once said: "A journey ... "

[bpetro]

Yeah...I was already planning on taking some 12 inch color-burst round targets. As far as how the 10/22 looks, it's not all pimped-out, but it does have a good-sized scope. It doesn't have iron-sights so dropping the scope really isn't an option anyway. It's got a bull barrel on it, but I don't imagine he'll know the difference (other than weight).

[maschronic]

i took my cousin camping/shooting one time. he was a anti gun liberal. i brought out 8 guns with me. the key word is camping. he loves to go camping.

i started to show him what type of guns i brought. he was very resistant about shooting guns. i started him with a 10/22. he must have shot about 100 rounds before i handed him a buckmark .22lr handgun. after that, i let him shoot my 9mm. after putting in 1 round in the mag, he decided to take a shot. then, i gave him a mag with 3 rounds. from that point on, he would put 16 rounds in each mag. (don't worry. my beretta 92fs was purchased in 95). after that, i gave him my 1911 with 1 round in the mag. he made me shoot it first. of course i shot the gun as fast as i can. then, gave him 1 round in the mag. he took that shot. then put 8 rounds in the mag.

he shot my 22lr, 9mm, 45, 357, 30-06, and 8mm.

couple of months later, he got the itch and bought himself a 9mm handgun. then, i have him a shotgun for Christmas and 308 bolt gun for his birthday.

that is my only story of converting anti gun liberal to a gun owner.

[Nodda Duma]

You keep your guns hidden from your wife? Don't trust her?

-Jason

My wife is as liberal as one can get without being labeled a radical, and she was raised in North Dakota. I recently showed her my Gamo air rifle. She was pissed! A week later I showed her a Henry lever action 22lr, and she didn't like that. I let her hold the rifle, she refused at first but eventually did. I also had her dry fire the rifle.

One day, I showed her my 1000 rds of 9mm, each in their individual holders and boxes. She was a bit amused. I then held a box of the ammo and a paring knife and ask her which is more dangerous to you, right now. Without thinking, she pointed to the knife. Just about each day, I talk to her about gun safety. It will take time, but she is more comfortable with firearms.

I haven't showed her the Sig P226 yet, and I'm in the market for a shotgun. We'll see how those will go with her.

A wise man once said: "A journey ... "

[Isaboe97]

Liberal gun gal here

I'm a very liberal Democrat and a gun owner. I am for gun ownership rights. I often compare the right to own a gun with the right to have an abortion. If we keep it legal, I have the choice to use my gun to protect myself or not to use it. Taking away that right, takes away my choice. So use the Pro-Choice position to help you. So far, no liberal has been able to argue with me about that one.

[Turo]

Best way to ensure the gun love is spread when teaching liberal newbies is fun. You make the shooting experience fun, and they'll be hooked! Reactive targets are best. Some people like shooting fruit, clays, water/soda bottles, anything that "explodes" is gonna be fun.

[Ilove1911s]

They're plenty of liberals on here, they're just scared to be bashed by what is probably a majority of right wingers.