MA Handgun Safety Course...

[C-pher]

I hear a lot of people doing this, and adding more dates to when they do it. And, when I talk to people that are offering this class, they seem to have a steady stream of people.

I really think that that's a good thing. It means that there are more and more people that are getting their permits. And I'm pretty excited about that.

Now, the issue is we've got to get them to vote and write so we can be heard.

That's what's so hard to hear. That there are all these people out there taking this class, but it still sounds like we're not getting the support that we should as gun owners.

I just hope that it will turn around.

 

[SiameseRat]

At our class at the MRA we have 10 students every month (we limit it, there are always more who want to take it)
we give the same speech every time, join the NRA, join GOAL, be aware of gun laws, how they affect you etc.

I think that's really all you can do without it seeming like you're pushing something on them. We want to welcome people, and a lot of people would get turned off if we got aggressive with the politics. I wish there were a good way to let them know that they need to be actively involved as well.

 

[matt]

I'm on the Republican committee for our town and this is a problem we talk about alot. Phone call campaigns the day of/before the vote are most effective for elections and the like.

People just get tired "doing life" and don't take time to educate themselves to what's going on in politics. You can wake the masses for a particular event/cause, but they fall back asleep before long.

 

[DR]

At our class at the MRA we have 10 students every month (we limit it, there are always more who want to take it)
we give the same speech every time, join the NRA, join GOAL, be aware of gun laws, how they affect you etc.

I think that's really all you can do without it seeming like you're pushing something on them. We want to welcome people, and a lot of people would get turned off if we got aggressive with the politics. I wish there were a good way to let them know that they need to be actively involved as well.

SR,

I've pointed a co-worker interested in a basic pistol class in MRA's direction. Space permitting, he'll be in the December class. I've been slowly but surely working on him about GOAL and the NRA. GOAL is a much easier sell: I can point to all the specific, local things they do and he's used the GOAL site looking for clubs and training. Despite the fact that he's neutral to friendly on gun rights he has a negative view of the NRA (those gun nuts, etc.) One step at a time.

 

[SiameseRat]

DR-

yeah, I kind of have a negative view of the NRA as well, I swore up and down I'd never become a member. Then I got my instructor cert and wanted the discount so I became an associate member. It's a nice compromise. I ride my husbands coat tails and pay $10 a year but still get the benefits of a member. Sweet!!

And thanks for pointing your co-worker our way. I think we have a really good class, lots of good info, 100 rounds on the Loeb and we make it fun. Which is important.

Not sure if he'll be able to get in this month, but next month should be ok.

 

[Lynne]

At our class at the MRA we have 10 students every month (we limit it, there are always more who want to take it)
we give the same speech every time, join the NRA, join GOAL, be aware of gun laws, how they affect you etc.

I think that's really all you can do without it seeming like you're pushing something on them. We want to welcome people, and a lot of people would get turned off if we got aggressive with the politics. I wish there were a good way to let them know that they need to be actively involved as well.

That's what we do as well, SR. We let them know that this is something that if they don't get involved and participate in, they could wind up losing their right to own a firearm and enjoy the sporting/protection aspect of it. You can only do so much without it becoming a "lecture".

 

[C-pher]

That's good that you guys do that.

I just wish that there was a way that we could more people out there making differences...