An observation from a long time NRA guy

[solo1]

There are quite a few posts here about firearms and that's ok since this IS a general board.  In fact, i always learn something like Chris calling a .44 mag a nice smaller caliber. He's right, his .500 Smith is bigger and way more powerful.

 At any rate, we can tie a lot of green into our investments of guns.

I also notice there is immediate posting here when the SOB's in DC want more gun laws.

I also notice one other thing that I don't understand.  This board's reaction is similar to my friends in the shooting sports at our local gun club..  We preach to the choir but not to others.  There are many opportunities to 'speak our piece' in "Letters to the Editor" Yet, it doesn't seem to happen much.

Just yesterday, Oss posted about writing to the Editor about these cries for more gun control..... In a very short time that post was on page two.  I hope that many of us were busy writing letters and too busy to post.

At any rate, without the need for bragging, (if you think that I'm bragging, you don't know me), I like to speak my piece and I sent in a letter today to both papers.  I'm trying to protect my Right to own guns and I need to persuade some people before the liars persuade them.  Maybe just a drop in the bucket but....................................

Solo1

[Patrick]

I too am a long time NRA member and will probably continue to be.  I'm probably not the only one to have reservations about some of the stances they take.
As much as I don't like over regulation, I think there should be some. But, it needs to be sensical
[ is that a real word] and it seems we are not able to do that today.

[solo1]

Yeah, Patrick, there are many newcomers to the shooting ranks. Some come with an attitude but no experience.  I believe that some form of training should be mandatory, teaching basic skills, safety, and responsibility as qualifications for CC.

However, constant BS about background checks, wringing of hands because there isn't any, (a BIG lie1) that's pure BS and the arseholes that propose that should be exposed as liars. Period.

And that's what the gun owner should do in "letters"

[Rams]

I'm not so sure letters to an editor do much good.   A reader must seek out that section of the paper and actually pick out what letter they want to read.   This assumes your letter even gets printed.

Personally, I believe that face to face contact with "voters" and community leaders does more good.   I don't really believe that a paper's endorsement or editorial does much to effect how a voter feels about squat.    Where the news organization does have an effect is how they spin a story.  

I could be very wrong on this but, that's my gut feeling.

[Patrick]

Yeah, Patrick, there are many newcomers to the shooting ranks. Some come with an attitude but no experience.  I believe that some form of training should be mandatory, teaching basic skills, safety, and responsibility as qualifications for CC.

However, constant BS about background checks, wringing of hands because there isn't any, (a BIG lie1) that's pure BS and the arseholes that propose that should be exposed as liars. Period.

And that's what the gun owner should do in "letters"

I agree. Letters and face to face discussion with those 'in power'  works, even a 'letter to the editor' will get attention.

[solo1]

In my experience, I have had people call me and tell me that they were glad that I wrote.
 
A decent written letter will get some to start thinking.

It doesn't cost anything but my time (email) and both papers here have always printed my letters. I see no downside.

Of course there also are some that are afraid to write for various reasons.

[Rams]

Wrote to the editor of my local paper last spring.   We had a lot of rain and flooding.   I just happen to notice County Equipment cleaning up a local church.   Ticked me off because, they weren't cleaning up anyone else's property.   Just so happens that a couple of the county big wigs attend that church.   

I complained to the paper.   That letter never got published.   

All I'm saying, is it depends on the paper and then has to be read by those you're trying to influence.
Doesn't hurt to try but.....................

[Patrick]

Wrote to the editor of my local paper last spring.   We had a lot of rain and flooding.   I just happen to notice County Equipment cleaning up a local church.   Ticked me off because, they weren't cleaning up anyone else's property.   Just so happens that a couple of the county big wigs attend that church.   

I complained to the paper.   That letter never got published.   

All I'm saying, is it depends on the paper and then has to be read by those you're trying to influence.
Doesn't hurt to try but.....................

OH, I'd be p$^&d !  I'd be writing more letters !

[Serk]

I do what I can when I can, usually with financial support to just causes or one on one with people. Yeah I   here too, but I realize I'm not gonna change any minds here, folks are generally already awake or willfully asleep at this point.

As far as writing to the editor, people still read the paper? (Sorry Daniel, I know SOMEONE's reading it still but those numbers are getting rather sparse.)

If you're eloquent and passionate and feel writing to the editor might do some good by all means I support you in doing so, I just feel my time and energy would be better spent elsewhere, the New York Times current front page being the exception but in general, I don't see much value in the opinion page of the local paper anymore. There once was, but now it seems people don't go there for ideas, they go there to reinforce their already held beliefs.


Edit - Adding addendum - Please don't take my words to any ANY way denigrate ya'll that do write letters to the editor. It surely can't hurt, and I appreciate what anyone is willing to do to help the cause of fighting to defend our civil rights!

[solo1]

Serk, I know that you're right but I do it anyway.

However a few years back, I was teaching a gun safety class and it was being covered by the local TV station.  I invited the whole TV crew to come with me to the shooting range. I only asked them to not reveal the location.  They came. I had them shoot .22 handguns.  The camera guy never shot any weapon. I made sure that the two handguns were non argumentative.  They came away with a better understanding of guns and a sliver of enthusiasm.  They didn't reveal the location, neither did they tape  the event. That, I believe, helped the Cause a little.

[Serk]

Now THAT is an effective means of reaching people. Nothing as cool as the local news crew, but I've taken many people that had zero experience with firearms beyond video games and movies out to my land and given them a slow, safe introduction to firearms. I enjoy it, they enjoy it and usually come away with a totally different perspective...

(Ignorance breeds fear, so the more ignorance we can stamp out the better off we all are.)

[solo1]

Forgot to mention that somewhat over a year ago I debated Mayor Tom Henry of Ft. Wayne, Indiana on Comcast and Fios TV channels.  It was a one on one called "The Fort Report"

The moderator asked me, I said yes, and then he told me who I would be debating.  No problem. I knew the material better than the Democratic Mayor did 

It will show if you Google  "The Fort Report" Mayor Tom Henry vs Wayne Doenges, moderated by Kevin Leininger of the News Sentinel.  The show is about 15 to 30 minutes.

No teleprompter was used, live but taped.

[Rams]

Serk, I know that you're right but I do it anyway.

However a few years back, I was teaching a gun safety class and it was being covered by the local TV station.  I invited the whole TV crew to come with me to the shooting range. I only asked them to not reveal the location.  They came. I had them shoot .22 handguns.  The camera guy never shot any weapon. I made sure that the two handguns were non argumentative.  They came away with a better understanding of guns and a sliver of enthusiasm.  They didn't reveal the location, neither did they tape  the event. That, I believe, helped the Cause a little.

Forgot to mention that somewhat over a year ago I debated Mayor Tom Henry of Ft. Wayne, Indiana on Comcast and Fios TV channels.  It was a one on one called "The Fort Report"

The moderator asked me, I said yes, and then he told me who I would be debating.  No problem. I knew the material better than the Democratic Mayor did  

It will show if you Google  "The Fort Report" Mayor Tom Henry vs Wayne Doenges, moderated by Kevin Leininger of the News Sentinel.  The show is about 15 to 30 minutes.

No teleprompter was used, live but taped.

Solo,
Being as honest as I can be, I sincerely admire your dedication to this cause and if possible would support your efforts with my own.   I do realize that some folks are better communicators than others and I don't pretend to be a natural born leader of anything.   But, you sir impress me as someone who can get the job done.  

Again, I'm not suggesting that letters to an editor won't do any good, I just think there are better ways to accomplish the same thing, at least for me.   Tell ya what, if you don't mind, after you write one, send me a copy and I'll steal from it and send one in myself.   I know that's cheating but, they can sue me if they find out.  

[solo1]

Go For It!