How do you convert a close friend or loved one who has a gun phobia?
For me, it always brings to mind the movie "What About Bob?" and Richard Dreyfus' book, "Baby Steps."
As we all know... Most peoples fear and abhorrence to guns are based on an irrational fear. I think we also know just how strong that irrational fear can take hold on them.
To me, it's all about baby steps! And that can't be overstated! Push too far and they put their heels down.
People I find to be especially stubborn against guns, I try to start off with at least a conversation. If that works, I go on to scenarios and examples of how guns can be used for good. I also explain that sometimes they are the ONLY option to being able to save your life. I can talk for hours on actual cases and examples supplemented with articles and video regarding self defense, personal protection and responsibilty.
I have a large library so I supplement the conversation with scenes of video tapes, articles and books.
I'm slowly moving towards a goal of getting a gun in their hands and the opportunity to actually shoot one.
After lots of just plain conversation, questions and answers, I will then present a firearm, explain the "cardinal rules", unload it and let them hold it for a while. Let them get "the feel of it" in their hands.
Together we disassemble it and go over nomenclature and how it functions. They are usually rational enough to at that point to begin to understand that it is just pieces of steel, plastic, springs and pins that fit together to become a functional tool.
It is fun to see the look on their faces as a light goes on and so much of their fear just kind of melts away. So much of the irrational myths they have held are slowly debunked and their natural intellegence gets a moment to breathe and take hold.
By that time they are usually anxious to get to the range and do some shoot'n.
Almost without exception, once they pull the trigger and throw some rounds down range, they are hooked. And thus another one crosses over to the side of good and self reliance. I always start with a .22 lr and will move on to a variety of revolver and semi-auto's and calibers up to .45 acp if they feel like it.
Sometimes, I can go through the process in an afternoon, other times it takes days or weeks of gentle coaxing, answering questions and just letting ideas mull over in their mind and stew for a while.
Those that haven't exactly been a victim of crime, I try to use examples of situations they could easily find themselves in.
Those who have told me stories of incidents that have happened to them, or close calls where they felt helpless and paralyzed, I try to use actual case events similar to their scenario where the outcome was much worse than their experience, and then cases where an armed victim beat back the monster.
As we all know... most people have the capacity for rational thought and complex reasoning. Their anti-gun fears are usually based on sheer emotion and baseless examples they have heard over and over again by the anti-gun zealots who have such a narrow mind they are incapable of rational thought.
However, most people have never had the opportunity to have someone willing to take the time it takes to explain the logic in both being able to take care of themselves and understanding the gun is nothing more than a tool. A piece of "emergency survival equipment" if you will, akin to a seatbelt, a fire extinguisher, compass, or life jacket.
Do not lie to them and do not embellish or be grandiose with wild stories of your gun adventures and your deadly skills with a gun.
Kindness, empathy, understanding and nurturing are what's in order. The idea is converting someone you genuinely care about in the goodness of being pro-gun.
Anyone I have ever gotten to the point of shooting the gun has been won over and enjoy shooting. I will always give them resources on where to find organized training but I'm always available to go shooting with them whenever they like.
The first range session is on me, whether we shoot 50 rounds or 500 rounds... after that, they share the cost of ammo and cleaning the guns. Usually they are anxious to help clean on the initial shooting session because they want to see the gun in pieces again and understand how it works better.
I try to steer clear of telling which gun to buy for themselves and tell them they should decide based on what feels better to them and what they can shoot the best. We shoot snub nosed and full size revolvers, small caliber and large caliber semi-automatic pistols of various makes and designs so I let them decide on their own after going over strong points and drawbacks of each type.
Good luck in your endeavors of bringing new people to the good side.
Baby steps! One convert at a time.
For me, it always brings to mind the movie "What About Bob?" and Richard Dreyfus' book, "Baby Steps."
As we all know... Most peoples fear and abhorrence to guns are based on an irrational fear. I think we also know just how strong that irrational fear can take hold on them.
To me, it's all about baby steps! And that can't be overstated! Push too far and they put their heels down.
People I find to be especially stubborn against guns, I try to start off with at least a conversation. If that works, I go on to scenarios and examples of how guns can be used for good. I also explain that sometimes they are the ONLY option to being able to save your life. I can talk for hours on actual cases and examples supplemented with articles and video regarding self defense, personal protection and responsibilty.
I have a large library so I supplement the conversation with scenes of video tapes, articles and books.
I'm slowly moving towards a goal of getting a gun in their hands and the opportunity to actually shoot one.
After lots of just plain conversation, questions and answers, I will then present a firearm, explain the "cardinal rules", unload it and let them hold it for a while. Let them get "the feel of it" in their hands.
Together we disassemble it and go over nomenclature and how it functions. They are usually rational enough to at that point to begin to understand that it is just pieces of steel, plastic, springs and pins that fit together to become a functional tool.
It is fun to see the look on their faces as a light goes on and so much of their fear just kind of melts away. So much of the irrational myths they have held are slowly debunked and their natural intellegence gets a moment to breathe and take hold.
By that time they are usually anxious to get to the range and do some shoot'n.
Almost without exception, once they pull the trigger and throw some rounds down range, they are hooked. And thus another one crosses over to the side of good and self reliance. I always start with a .22 lr and will move on to a variety of revolver and semi-auto's and calibers up to .45 acp if they feel like it.
Sometimes, I can go through the process in an afternoon, other times it takes days or weeks of gentle coaxing, answering questions and just letting ideas mull over in their mind and stew for a while.
Those that haven't exactly been a victim of crime, I try to use examples of situations they could easily find themselves in.
Those who have told me stories of incidents that have happened to them, or close calls where they felt helpless and paralyzed, I try to use actual case events similar to their scenario where the outcome was much worse than their experience, and then cases where an armed victim beat back the monster.
As we all know... most people have the capacity for rational thought and complex reasoning. Their anti-gun fears are usually based on sheer emotion and baseless examples they have heard over and over again by the anti-gun zealots who have such a narrow mind they are incapable of rational thought.
However, most people have never had the opportunity to have someone willing to take the time it takes to explain the logic in both being able to take care of themselves and understanding the gun is nothing more than a tool. A piece of "emergency survival equipment" if you will, akin to a seatbelt, a fire extinguisher, compass, or life jacket.
Do not lie to them and do not embellish or be grandiose with wild stories of your gun adventures and your deadly skills with a gun.
Kindness, empathy, understanding and nurturing are what's in order. The idea is converting someone you genuinely care about in the goodness of being pro-gun.
Anyone I have ever gotten to the point of shooting the gun has been won over and enjoy shooting. I will always give them resources on where to find organized training but I'm always available to go shooting with them whenever they like.
The first range session is on me, whether we shoot 50 rounds or 500 rounds... after that, they share the cost of ammo and cleaning the guns. Usually they are anxious to help clean on the initial shooting session because they want to see the gun in pieces again and understand how it works better.
I try to steer clear of telling which gun to buy for themselves and tell them they should decide based on what feels better to them and what they can shoot the best. We shoot snub nosed and full size revolvers, small caliber and large caliber semi-automatic pistols of various makes and designs so I let them decide on their own after going over strong points and drawbacks of each type.
Good luck in your endeavors of bringing new people to the good side.
Baby steps! One convert at a time.