How to convince the national Democrats to act pro-gun...

[ketec_owner]

My take on convincing the democratic party to be more pro-gun.
1.) Most democrats have zero exposure to guns. Except to read about in the crime reports. Most cities are democratic, most city people don't own guns for sporting purposes (ie. they don't go turkey hunting often).
2.) Not all democrats are anti-gun - as not all republicans are back water bible thumpers. Don't bash the Democrats - bash their leadership and direction. Not going to win any friends in the Democrat party by name calling (although its fun).
3.) Take a Democrat shooting and introduce them to the sport and be friendly to all people in the sport. Otherwise you just enforce the type-casting that most Democrats have of pro-gun people being anti-social misfits.
4.) Hold more sporting competitions to encourage people to participate. Paintball used to be a niche sport. Then some marketing genius got a hold of it and instead of camo outfits - the wear team jerseays. Instead of paintball guns - they are called markers. It became socialized to the point of acceptance.
5.) Encourage safety and responsible use. Most people today who are anti-gun are deathly afraid of shooting someone, being shot by someone, or someone elses kids by accident because they fear what they do not understand. This isn't a democratic issue - it's a human nature issue.
6.) Continue the pressure on the democrat party to be more centrist.

[whit]

I have posted several things here on Calguns about taking the other side shooting and generally trying to convert them to the cause instead of alienating them and driving them off, and I have to admit, I have gotten very little crap from anybody.

On the other side, I have made quite a few comments and responses on Daily Kos about gun issues and various gun crimes that were being talked about.

One in particular I can remember was when a lady actually posted something about a police shooting and why the cop didn't aim for the perp's hand(!) along with some other silly stuff that was the result of someone who was Completely uneducated in any aspect whatsoever about police work, self-defense, gun-handling, conflict resolution, or basically anything else that would have any bearing in the case.

I wrote a fairly lengthy response, quoting some stuff from Massad Ayoob about the body's response to danger, educated her a little in the basics of gun handling, police training, etc.

I got a TON of responses to that post, including e-mails, that were supportive, thanked me for informing them of things they didn't know or understand, etc. It was a great experience.

The fact is, it is estimated that 50% of males in the US own weapons. There are more registered Dems than Repubs in this country so guess what? SOME of them have to be Democrats!

I live in Liberal Marin County, CA, and we just had an article about how Marin has a slightly higher gun ownership rate than the rest of California as a whole!

Mark Warner of Virgina - an up and comer in the Dem party - has already gone on record saying that the gun control issue for Dems is a losing proposition.

There are a lot of shrill voices on the edges of both parties and they get all the press, all the airtime, etc. Don't confuse that with thinking that they are the base of the party.

Bush has run to the tune of some of the more shrill voices in his party - and now a lot of his base is not happy with him!

The best thing that any of us can do is to welcome those who have somewhat open minds into our midst and show them a good time and bring them over to our side.

Whit

[CalNRA]

Democrats are nice people, when you agree with them.

If you don't they will turn and bite you.

Treelogger is the perfect example.

BTW treelogger if your Democrat friends saw yor user name on Calguns, or even know that you participate on a gun forum, brace yourself for some stares, cold shoulders and cancelled brunches.

[CalNRA]

Do you think that those people will vote for a gun-grabbing legislation if they had the chance? Remember, the proponents of slavery were often very nice and polite toward the minorities, that doesn't mean they were not dangerous.

GO and run with your Democrat friends, don't bitch when they vote to take your guns away.

All the ones I talk to for more than 5 minutes know that I'm a gun owner and shooter, and that I have strong feelings on gun control law. So far, I've not yet experienced cold shoulders and stares.