Why is it...

[The Soup Nazi]

that gun owners are some of the nicest people in existance? Go to a gun show, tons of people (if unlucky) are packed into some large building in very close proximity to each other, bumping occurs regularly and somehow everyone manages to say sorry or excuse me. You'd think in a place with enough guns to take out the Panama Canal that politness would be substituted with armed threats. If you walk into a gun store, provided they know what they're talking about, the clerk or employees will do everything in their power to help you, answer your questions, and most importantly, help you on a 1-1 basis.

On the flipside... you have the gun grabbing wackos and the people who claim to be fighting for the rights of others who are completely intolerant of the views of others, and commit crimes such as terrorism (PETA/ALF), to falsifying or making un educated decisions (Good ole Kahlifornia DoJ or ATF).

I just find it funny how we (the gun community) can treat each other with respect, when we're portrayed as the bane to society.

[bear308]

^ What a shame the Fairplex show is dead. You would have flipped seeing that.

[asintado]

I find it odd that you have more police officers monitoring a car show than a gun show (I recently went to the Vallejo gun show). I guess it just shows the potential maturity level of gun owners.

[taloft]

"An armed society is a polite society." Robert A. Heinlein

I find this to be true at shows, the range, camping. etc.

[Omega13device]

On the flipside... you have the gun grabbing wackos and the people who claim to be fighting for the rights of others who are completely intolerant of the views of others, and commit crimes such as terrorism (PETA/ALF), to falsifying or making un educated decisions (Good ole Kahlifornia DoJ or ATF).

I just find it funny how we (the gun community) can treat each other with respect, when we're portrayed as the bane to society.

There are plenty of intolerant, disrespectful people on both sides, even here on calguns.

You will find jerks at gun shows and gun stores too.

I don't care what group you're talking about, there will be cool people and there will be jerks, and there will be everything in between.

One thing you will learn as you get on in life is that the world is not black and white, it is all shades of gray.

[taloft]

There are plenty of intolerant, disrespectful people on both sides, even here on calguns.

You will find jerks at gun shows and gun stores too.

I don't care what group you're talking about, there will be cool people and there will be jerks, and there will be everything in between.

One thing you will learn as you get on in life is that the world is not black and white, it is all shades of gray.

I agree that while life can be a bed of roses, you still have to watch out for the pricks. You can find slugs anywhere if you flip over enough rocks.

People tend to treat others as they are treated. If you are polite to people, people will tend to be polite to you. No matter how nice you are somebody will come by and be an A**hole to you once in a while. I just find that it doesn't happen as often in places where armed people are concentrated. YMMV
That doesn't mean they are saints, especially here on the forum. Of course, we talk a lot of politics, religion, and other controversial subjects here because of the nature of our hobby. Things we most likely wouldn't bring up in normal circumstances. The anonymous nature of the web also allows some people to say things they normally wouldn't in a public face to face venue. This is JMHO.

[Charliegone]

^ What a shame the Fairplex show is dead. You would have flipped seeing that.

Dude, tell me about it. The last day I went there, before the LA county of f***** up supervisors shut it down, my dad bought me a .50bmg bullet and said keep this. I was so happy. Damn I even remember the big tank they had near the entrance. Freakin awesome man.. ahh those were the days...

[Charliegone]

I think you are not only overly generalizing and exaggerating, you are even wrong on the underlying trend.

I know quite a few super-friendly gun people. I know quite a few complete *******s among gun people. Try the folks who work the front desk at some gun ranges and gun stores sometime, and you will find intolerant, rude, know-it-alls who have no clue but hide it behind an attitude. Lots of people who think that you have to imitate Specops or Speznas in everything (equipment, nastyness, attitude, the wish to kill everyone they meet) except actual ability. I think the *******s are the minority, at least I hope so.

I know quite a few super-friendly leftist liberals. I know some who are complete pricks. As a group, leftist liberals tend to be very tolerant of the views of others. Some are completely intolerant, and love to hear themselves talk, and have inhaled their own exhaust (they believe everything they say), and believe that their views should apply to everyone; listening to KPFA will treat you to some extreme examples of this mindset. I think the intolerant pricks are the minority, at least I hope so.

I have no reason to believe that the fraction of nasty people is particularly bigger in either group.

There is also a crossover group: gun people who consider themselves leftist and liberals. I for one am in that group. As an example: I am a gun owner and shooter. I believe that the current gun control laws in the US (and particularly in California) are silly because they just restrict the rights of gun owners and shooters, without improving public safety. I think they were passed, because politicians had to do something to keep some pressure groups happy. On the other hand, I do believe that the US would benefit from much more stringent but sensible gun control laws (beginning with a repeal of the unintelligible 2nd amendment, replacing it with a real starting point for gun rights), which would put stringent requirements on gun owners, but would actually start to improve public safety. I'm just most politically conservative gun owners would hate my suggestions; I'm also sure most leftist gun control advocates would hate them even more.

mandatory firearms training? Hell I'm for it.

[fal_762x51]

I Love You Guys!

[50 Freak]

^ What a shame the Fairplex show is dead. You would have flipped seeing that.

You mean the old Pomona show????

Gosh I miss those. Their claim to fame was "8 miles of tables". I used to go at 9am and take quick walk through all the tables. Which took me about 3-4 hours. I kept track of where I wanted to come back and spend the rest of the day going back to the 8-10 buildings (when I say buildings, each one was larger than the Cow Palace show). I'd finally leave a 6 pm with sore feet and a bad feeling I didn't cover everything.

Hence the next day.... Good times....