Elections

[coastdog]

As we approach the mid term and state elections I have been having conversations with folks about the concealed carry "lifestyle" I have chosen. The folks I have been talking to are folks that do not necessarily share this view. Two things come to my mind that I would like to share. One, it does no good to enter into these conversations with like minded folks, you are preaching to the choir and all you may get is a "bitch" session. We need to find folks that do not agree with us and speak our truths quietly, listen, and speak again. Be ready to disagree with respect and leave the door open for more conversation at a later time. Two, I now realize that when I tell someone that I carry because I take responsibility for my own safety knowing that at the moment of need in the gravest extreme the local authorities can not help, it shakes their core beliefs that they are safe and the police will always be there. Think about what that means to them. All of a sudden their safety and security belief structure is striped away. We need to be aware of just how deep our beliefs can affect the beliefs of others and proceed with caution. It is not about the gun, it is about ones belief in government, ones feeling of safety and security, and ones concern about family. Carry on, be safe, be secure, speak the truth.

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

I started to post a reply to this but then wondered if discussing this topic and my comments about reminding people of the police responsibilities might be political.
I will say that we need to be ever protective of the 2nd Amendment. Remember the recent rulings by the SJC are hanging by a one vote margin. The 2nd Amendment is in peril depending on how elections go. As gun owners or those concerned with gun rights we need to vote our beliefs.
I hope that discussing the fragility of the 2nd Amendment is not considered political

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Anti's are Anti's and nothing will change their views, unless they suffer a catastrophic event in their life where a firearm was needed. Basically, the majority of them will never change their view. The only thing we can do is get others like us to vote. The current White House wasn't put in office because he was popular. It's because 6 million registered Republicans STAYED HOME! Get out and vote.

 

[Ben Cartwright SASS]

I always vote the 2nd Amendment first! As the NRA calls it, it is "America's First Freedom" without the 2nd you won't have the rest.

 

[peyton]

I am a single issue voter, 2nd Amendment. Heck without it, how would we defend the right to do all the others??

 

[loknload]

I will be at my voting place bight and early, especially to vote on the Governor!
Never missed an Election Day!

 

[Krell1]

I don't know what my family has become or how it happened. We were brought up in an extremely conservative household. My mother was republican to the core. Now I've got a brother and sister who have both voted for Obama. I recently tried to have an intelligent conversation with my sister about guns and the 2d Amendment. I think I was talking to the wall. Needless to say I gave up rather quickly.

One thing I do enjoy are the gun discussions I have with friends at the local gun range. It's refreshing to hear from enthusiastic sportsmen who enjoy shooting sports.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

I don't know what my family has become or how it happened. We were brought up in an extremely conservative household. My mother was republican to the core. Now I've got a brother and sister who have both voted for Obama. I recently tried to have an intelligent conversation with my sister about guns and the 2d Amendment. I think I was talking to the wall. Needless to say I gave up rather quickly.

One thing I do enjoy are the gun discussions I have with friends at the local gun range. It's refreshing to hear from enthusiastic sportsmen who enjoy shooting sports.

I hate to sound like Johnny one note, but, find out if they vote. I had the occasion to assist in a recount of a State Rep in my district. A gun friendly guy. He lost by 14 votes. I saw the voter list in over a dozen towns. I saw so many people that I knew who were gun owners and friends of mine that did not vote, it was sickening. When I had the chance to speak with them, privately, most of them were PO'd because I knew they didn't vote. Some of them had no clue as to how I found out.
You have to get them to the polls.

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

I'm not a single issue voter. My candidate has to be a 2nd Amendment supporter. If that person is a 2nd Amendment supporter and all of the rest of their issues are not inline with my beliefs, I may not vote for them and if it was the other way around, I would not vote for them. Making me a criminal for exercising my rights (Andrew Cuomo) will NEVER get my vote. I think that is self explanatory with every gun owner, well I hope it is.

JAmes

 

[MTKTM]

I agree with the OP, that you catch more proverbial flies with honey than with vinegar. I've had some pretty good success getting a few antis to switch sides. What I've done, and the process can be lengthy and also somewhat expensive, is to listen to them, to calmly and respectfully convey my views, and then to invite them on a trip to the range. Almost invariably they have either no or minimal experience with guns and shooting. I let them shoot several guns, don't try to wow or buffalo them by handing them a 500 Mag on the first outing, let them try out a .22 and maybe a 38 or 9x19 if they want to, and basically let the guns sell themselves. It has never failed to work, has either turned them around 180 degrees, or at least resulted in them moderating their anti views.

 

[Krell1]

I'm not a single issue voter. My candidate has to be a 2nd Amendment supporter. If that person is a 2nd Amendment supporter and all of the rest of their issues are not inline with my beliefs, I may not vote for them and if it was the other way around, I would not vote for them. Making me a criminal for exercising my rights (Andrew Cuomo) will NEVER get my vote. I think that is self explanatory with every gun owner, well I hope it is.

JAmes

I agree and really feel for you living in New York state. I lived there for quite a while when it was still fairly easy to obtain a carry permit. Some of the stories I hear now make me glad I moved away.

A recent article that interested me was that NY is ranked as having the highest corporate tax rates as well as the highest personal income and property tax rates. A really good state to be from. And that's really sad when I think of the great places to live there. The southern tier, where you are, has many unique places to visit. I just can't bring my guns.

 

[the ringo kid]

I voted 1st day early voting. That said, they just busted soeone here or here in Texas--that was paying people $20 bucks to buy their votes--according to what little I caught before the news story ended.

Man in either North Carolina or Georgia--not allowed tovote--because he had a pro-gun cap on. Turned out--it was a cap advertising his business. They forced him to remove cap.

Im Election Judge of precinct 56--here--and im not going to allow anyone under me-deny a person to vote-based on stupid stuff like someone wearing a shirt with a gun on it--or Ronald Reagan--or even obama and such, to each his own. If the logo is offensive? it will have to be nudity-profanity or soemthing of that nature before a person has to correct the matter--ie-turn shirt inside out--whatever..

 

[hsguy]

I would hope we all know it is important to vote on Tuesday for the candidates that best mirror our values and beliefs. Exercise your right in the election based upon those values and beliefs.