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Soccerdad1995 wrote:

Flightmare wrote:Fear of firearms and anything in general is typically caused by a lack of education. I've talked with friends who have never fired a gun in their lives and are afraid of them. Their only knowledge of them comes from what they see on TV. I let them handle mine (after unloading it), and make sure they are aware of how safe they can be (especially compared to vehicles), I then offer to take them to the range to let them try one out. For first time shooters, I almost ALWAYS start them off with my S&W 22A so they aren't surprised by a loud bang or recoil. For the last few people I've taken shooting, they've really enjoyed it and have talked about going back. Once again, education!

So how do we educate people that guns are not some evil thing, but rather are a tool that will keep people safe? I have little hope when we have another active thread where the owners of a gun store are publicly saying that the presence of guns makes their staff less safe. If that type of ignorance is being exhibited by people who supposedly know something about guns, then what hope do we have for folks who have been indoctrinated by the media and their political leaders to think guns = bad?

Is the answer more NRA advertisements, individual out-reach, or something else?

I think doing a mass marketing drive is just going to be debated by anti-2a groups who fear an inanimate object. These same groups use emotion to argue their position rather than logic. It's very difficult to reach someone who makes emotional decisions as opposed to logical decisions.

I have friends who are emotional decision makers, and those are the ones who are more difficult to get thru to. For some people, education will not overcome an emotional bias.

The ones who are more logical thinkers, they seem to be more open to the understanding of the importance of the RKBA. These are the people who frequently not only support the RKBA, but typically own firearms themselves and frequently have their LTC.

I don't think there is a one size fits all solution. I've been working with individuals. I would hope that the people I've helped to educate would then help educate others. That's my goal anyways.

Fear of firearms and anything in general is typically caused by a lack of education. I've talked with friends who have never fired a gun in their lives and are afraid of them. Their only knowledge of them comes from what they see on TV. I let them handle mine (after unloading it), and make sure they are aware of how safe they can be (especially compared to vehicles), I then offer to take them to the range to let them try one out. For first time shooters, I almost ALWAYS start them off with my S&W 22A so they aren't surprised by a loud bang or recoil. For the last few people I've taken shooting, they've really enjoyed it and have talked about going back. Once again, education!