« Proposed documentary | Main | Story on Reno U.S. Attorney refusing all ATF cases »
Gun Culture 2.0
Interesting thoughts at Human Events.
"No single material thing is likely to have had a greater impact on humanity than the internet. The internet, and more specifically, the world wide web, has allowed people to communicate around the country and all over the world with virtually no interference from the government. Being able to come together and share ideas about politics, self defense and recreational shooting has helped cause a surge in new gun ownership – especially by people who have never been exposed to the “traditional” methods of introduction into our community.
Instead of the image of the white male father dressed in flannel taking his son off to the woods for the traditional deer hunt, the new image of gun ownership is much broader and more diverse. The members of the 2.0 gun culture are more likely to own an AR15 with a suppressor than a Winchester Model 70. And, you can rest assured that a new gen gun owner is likely to be carrying a Glock or KelTec when you run into them at the local coffee shop.
In today’s gun culture, there are many more women, a broader mix of races and a wider range of backgrounds. Instead of being a clean cut poster child of the 1950’s many gun owners are bikers or body art enthusiasts covered with tattoos. Others are fashion conscious while others still are computer nerds. Members of the new gun generation range in age from teens to retirees.
The point is, our culture has changed. And, it has changed for the better. We attract all kinds of people into the gun world because all of the lies about us are easily disproven now that the mass media no longer has control over what people know. The internet has allowed the truth about firearms to get out."
2 Comments | Leave a comment
I have been arguing for years that the way to increase membership in the NRA is not to promote hunting or sport shooting but instead to support CCW in the ten or so remaining states where there is not "shall issue" option for law-abiding citizens seeking to bear concealed firearms for purposes for lawful self-defense.
We are no longer a rural culture in which people encounter firearms in the context of hunting trips.
The way to boost membership is to focus energies and resources on establishing "shall issue" CCW laws in heavily populated CCW battleground states such as California.
For suburb dwellers like me who wish we had CCW, the notion of hunting is just some fantasy world I will enjoy some day after winning the lottery.
Meanwhile, we have to make our way through dangerous Los Angeles County unarmed.
The biggest truth to get out is that Concealed Carry, whether by permit or by Constitution, has not resulted in the OK corral, road rage shootings, or increases in homicides or even a surge in suicides. the bad guys can still get illegal guns, nothing will change that, but they now have to think twice before targeting random victims; and women, the disabled, and the elderly, now have a better chance to avoid victimhood.