There is always something we can do.

[vujade]

My team (@ work) and co-workers hear me say this all the time. 

 

I work in gov't.  The culture doesn't always breed efficiency and effectiveness.  Coming from a place where it was all about 6 sigma (not "GI JOE"), I can't just sit still seeing things in ruin/broken/not efficient.  There is always a process improvement.  There is always something one can do to make things better. 

 

That's how I'm feeling right now regarding the possible AWB (and hopefully not worst than that).  One can vent and mope but I believe there is always something we can do.

 

There are many at work who concentrate on what other departments are doing/not doing.  To them, I always say, what can YOU do/control in your scope/circle of influence.  If your complaining that xyz dept. doesn't communicate, are YOU communicating effectively with your team mates and your customers?

 

There are already many suggestions mentioned in this forum and what I propose isn't new.   You all have said it before...but I'm saying it again because I believe we don't do enough of it.

 

I propose this:  Find people around you who may be anti or ignorant and take them to the range and teach them.  Let them experience that 45 doesn't blow up whole sides of walls.  Let them experience the difference between a semi auto AR15 vs. what a 7mm bolt action.  Let them fire and compare your glock 9mm with 686 in 357.  Let them see how much fun it is to break clay put against a berm with an AK47.  Put an assault rifle on the ground and show them it won't just assault anybody.   Open up your black rifle and show them there is nothing magical or scary inside... they are just a few moving parts - technology that's 60+ years old.

 

Since last night, someone from church who knows I shoot emailed me asking about getting a gun.  I started to send him links, pictures, videos and I hope he accepts my invitation to take him/wife to the range.  They have never handled a gun before! (guys, a lesson here, it's not funny when you take a newbie out and give him your mosin nagant or 44 magnum to try out and then laugh at them afterwards.  You may have just scared them from this sport or give them a bad flinch).  I'm taking an ex school teacher hopefully next week.  He's probably in his 60s but never shot a handgun.  I agreed that i would run a 5K with him if he would go to the range with me.  I'm chubby and I don't like running but this is the price I'm willing to take to convert someone. 

 

Does your kids' friends come over to play Call of Duty?  Ask their family if you all can make a family day at the range and shoot the real thing. 

 

I'm thinking of posting in my FB an open invitation for folks who have never shoot a gun to go to the range on my dime and try it out. 

 

Look for the most liberal person you know and creatively ask them to the range.  They may still hate it but at least you can say, they did their homework and at least have shot an bushmaster. 

 

There are so many people out there who may love Obama but are still buying their first gun.  Find them, educate them.  Show them that yes, that's great that you bought a revolver but high cap mag bans won't do anything. (I went to the range with a someone who bought his first AR/black rifle (he's not a gun nut, he just wanted it because he knew they would be hard to get later); he's trilled after shooting it but he still thinks a high cap mag is needed...BUT that's slowly changing.  Last I heard (2 days ago) he was looking for a 100 round drum to buy).

 

I agree, we need to call/email/contact our representatives.  We need to join associations be it the NRA or whatever you choose.  But if you can convert one soul, that person will be changed.  He will convert his family.  He will convert others.  I'm sad when I go to a gunshow and 95% of the folks there (no offense) are older white guys.  What happens when they all kick the bucket?  We need young blood to keep our tradition and rights for another 100 years.  We can only do that if we do something about it.

 

 

 

[vujade]

Moderators, I messed up.  I meant to put this in the general chat area; not the newsworthy reports.

 

i was reading on there and clicked start thread here by accident.

 

Sorry about that.

 

(would you be move it for me?  Thank you)

Edited December 20, 2012 by vujade

[daveW]

These are all very good suggestions!