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SQLGeek wrote:I don't like it either but I don't see that as the same as somebody that collects and enjoys firearms as a hobby. Part of almost every hobby is sharing your collections and pieces with others. I understand that the antis attach a negative morality to guns and our goal as responsible gun owners should be to promote guns as just another tool. Part of that is showing that the vast majority of firearms enthusiasts appreciate them for the same reasons car enthusiasts appreciate their machines.

Now the use of the word "porn" in describing images of guns? I don't care for it myself. Perhaps we agree more than we disagree. I originally objected to the idea that because I have an appreciation for firearms, I may have a "scary" personality.

Sorry for getting off topic from the original thread, I hope this is at least tangentially related.

I'm glad to hear it - I'm not throwing stones at people who can appreciate fine machinework, smooth actions, walnut grips, etc. But the 'gun porn' expression does dovetail with the fetish angle of the more extreme gun-fondlers. I'm just trying to raise awareness that as a community we present two very different faces to the non-gun crowd. The more we're aware of the benefit for us, *and our community as a whole*, to emphasis the more sober approach than the fetishist or in-your-face activist approach, the better off we'll all be.

One of the more rewarding experiences I've had was in preparing a friend for his first visit to the range. I met him at his house for a good 30-60 minute visit about gun safety, proper handling, etc. His girlfriend sat in on it as well, though she didn't go to the range w. us (boy's trip w. several friends from out of town).

I heard afterwards that she was really impressed w. my presentation. One of the things I did which I haven't seen done elsewhere was field strip the pistol early on, and hand around the different components. I think it really demystifies the Evil Firearm when you disassemble it and they can see it as a collection in inanimate parts. The barrel in particular, I think, was intriguing for them. I also dropped a round into the barrel (while it was a stand-alone part!) so that they could see what it looked like when there was a 'round in the chamber'.

Holding just the frame (without slide) made the training on proper grip much more comfortable for them.

It was a pleasure to give them a good first experience, and one I'd be happy to repeat in the future. Is there any kind of a 'mentors' list here, or w TSRA, or the NRA, that I can throw my hat into the ring for? I'm guessing that for any *RA association, I'd have to go through some kind of instructor training program first.

SQLGeek wrote:

RHENRIKSEN wrote:I've never seen 'fire extinguisher porn' threads, or 'seat belt porn' threads, of people posting lovingly staged beauty pictures of their car's seat belts, or fire extinguishers, or insurance policy documents.

Do the people that post pictures of their souped up cars, paintball guns, meticulously detailed rail road models or extensive stamp collections bother you in the same manner?

Nope.

austinrealtor wrote:And spreading the pro-RKBA message can't merely be Washington-based press releases and point-counterpoint appearances opposite some anti-libtard on a cable news show. There should be an NRA spokeperson ready to be quoted by the LOCAL MEDIA in EVERY county in this country any time a citizen uses a firearm to defend themselves from crime. Web sites such as "The Armed Citizen" should be publicised at every opportunity to the mainstream media. Common people who use a firearm to defend themselves should be lauded and congratulated, even if they're not a member of the NRA. Make a small $1,000 donation or scholarship in the name of each and every citizen who uses a gun to defend themselves from crime. Donations to victims-help services (even those run by libtards) and scholarships in fields of criminal justice, grief counseling etc.

Show that the NRA is about PEOPLE protecting themselves by utilizing the best tool possible to do so. The NRA is not just about "guns" ... it's about PEOPLE and our rights in this country to be free of fear from criminals, bullies, and despots of all stripes.

This is beautiful, AR. When I'm around pro-gun people who are more focused on the *firearm* than on its utility (protecting oneself & family, or food on the table, or a fun hobby) I'm not as comfortable - think 'mall ninja' or worst case, a potentially scary personality. Think about how anti-firearms people react even more strongly to that same vibe.

The people who just want to get on with their lives, and consider the pistol on their hip simply as a useful accessory to ensure their important goals (career, family, living a long happy life) are safeguarded, don't cause that same sense of unease.

I've never seen 'fire extinguisher porn' threads, or 'seat belt porn' threads, of people posting lovingly staged beauty pictures of their car's seat belts, or fire extinguishers, or insurance policy documents. Not that there'd be anything WRONG with that... but given that the whack jobs responsible for mass shootings probably exhibited fetish-like behavior over their firearms, it's a troubling parallel. And I can't really throw stones at anti-2A people who key on that parallel.

So... let's focus on the *people*. Our family members, our neighbors, our friends. Not the tool, but about the individuals' lives that the tool has been used to protect. I think this is why Oleg Volk's posters resonate so strongly.

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