Educating the Masses

[wrigleycub]

Our country should look at the Swiss, everyone is mandated to join the military, be trained, and maintain their training and their firearms after discharge. Yes, its a neutral country and there is reason for that. So my vote initially would be all of the above, followed closely by LEO's and Polies. I've met and am currently friends with several LEO's that have absolutely no firearm training other than with the one they wear. It's sad for me to try and engage these friends in good conversation on firearm opinions or try to seek knowledge from these folks and all I get in return is a blank stare with crickets chirping. I like to think if I were asked an opinion on the tools of my trade I could at least give one.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

I think firearm education should be part of school curriculum. Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it. From my experience most adults are set in their ways. I also think any new gun owner should take an approved course and go to the range as much as possible. A gun is a tool and not knowing how to properly makes it nothing more than a paper weight in my opinion.

 

[jeremy]

I think firearm education should be part of school curriculum.

This!!!

It generally takes 3 Generations to effect a change to a Society...

 

[sharpetop]

I picked "other". Teachers need to start teaching about U.S. history and the Constitution and leave their personal views out of the lesson. Children are easily swayed by the educators in our government schools. Parents need to hold their feet to the fire so they leave their liberal rhetoric out of the school systems. If the kids are taught the the truth and not some politically correct B.S., all else should fall into place as they grow older.

I could go on but, I'll leave it at that.

 

[Cru]

I picked "other". Teachers need to start teaching about U.S. history and the Constitution and leave their personal views out of the lesson. Children are easily swayed by the educators in our government schools. Parents need to hold their feet to the fire so they leave their liberal rhetoric out of the school systems. If the kids are taught the the truth and not some politically correct B.S., all else should fall into place as they grow older.

I could go on but, I'll leave it at that.

Probably a topic for a whole other thread, but I'll agree with some points and disagree with others.

I don't think a majority of history teachers put personal views in the lessons. Most teachers just want to do their job and go home. I do agree that parents need to be more involved with their children's education however.

Teachers have a very fine tightrope to walk. There is more and more pressure from governments to make sure they are teaching certain things, and they have to ensure the students can score well on standardized tests. So anymore, ALL they teach is material that will be on the standardized tests. Not much US history on those.

So I offer to you that if you want that to change, it will take some broad political movements.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

The Militia played a very decisive roll in our fight for Freedom! Especially the Minute Men who by the time the Revolutionary War began where already battle hardened. They where at that time special forces. They where hand picked from the regular militia. There roll would have not been possible without "The right to keep and bear arms". On top of that Japan never invaded because General Yamamoto said "Behind every blade of grass would be a gun" That's what our youth needs to be taught. Not how Christopher Columbus discovered America when the Native Americans where already here.

 

[Cru]

The Militia played a very decisive roll in our fight for Freedom! Especially the Minute Men who by the time the Revolutionary War began where already battle hardened. They where at that time special forces. They where hand picked from the regular militia. There roll would have not been possible without "The right to keep and bear arms". On top of that Japan never invaded because General Yamamoto said "Behind every blade of grass would be a gun" That's what our youth needs to be taught. Not how Christopher Columbus discovered America when the Native Americans where already here.

I don't disagree with you, I just know that teachers don't really get to choose what is taught in their classrooms currently. Government funding of schools forces them to "teach to the test."

 

[Que]

Results of the poll

View Poll Results: Who should be targeted for education on gun rights in Indiana?
Citizen – “Guns are fine, but I just don’t want one.” 10 14.49%
Gun Owner “I own a gun, but I have to remember where it is.” 1 1.45%
Politician/LEO – “I believe only law enforcement should have guns.” 23 33.33%
Voter – “The laws should change, because nobody needs to own a gun.” 23 33.33%
Other 10 14.49%
Education is not needed. We have good laws and it’s up to each person to become educated about their rights. 2 2.90%

Okay, let's look at this from a practical point of view. The two areas that received the greatest number of votes are Politician/LEO and Voter, receiving 23 votes, each. That would mean that we have 46 people who would be willing to work on an event(s) that would educate this group of people concerning gun rights/laws. Concentrating on this group, ONLY, what would you say could be an affective movement to forward this agenda?

It doesn't have to be anything in great detail, but just some ideas.

 

[schafe]

I voted "voters."( does that make me one?) That liberal philosophy of "no one needs a gun" is attractive to liberals because they think only in the most simplistic and idealistic sense. Of course, if no guns existed, anywhere in the entire universe, and it wasn't possible to manufacture them, then no one would be able to shoot his fellow man. But of course, this rose colored world has never existed. But the liberals truly believe it can, if we could all hold hands with them and sing Cumbya.

 

[hookedonjeep]

Personally, I believe that better education is needed for the politicians / LEO's about the current laws regarding gun ownership / carry issues; in the hopes that they will will not only comply with the laws we already have, but will also understand the true value of an armed society.

 

[Expat]

I wish the education thrust should be with the Voters and Citizens. Unfortunately, recent weeks have shown that it is going to have to begin with our fellow gun owners. I was shocked at the hateful bigoted comments made at our open carrier warriors here on this board and elsewhere. They displayed not only an ignorance of the law but a contempt for their fellow gun owners. It was Jim Zumbo all over, right here. We also have seen that many LEOs around the state have no knowledge about what our laws are and what our LTCH actually means. Even worse we saw some comments here and at the police bulletin board from the same individuals that exhibited a hubris, a contempt for gun owners and the laws those LEOs are sworn to uphold. Until we educate those groups, then moving to the education of voters and citizens is just a pipe dream.

 

[88E30M50]

I don't think an adult will change their mind unless something bad happens to them. But, politicians and LEOs can be forced to change if enough people stand up. Kind of a squeaky wheel getting the grease, problem is, there are a lot of squeaky wheels, and a lot of them are teaching in public schools.

Dead wrong! Adults can and do change. My wife is an example of how a California raised girl can go from completely hating guns to enjoying shooting and will probably being carrying in 2011. She changed her opinion of guns well after the age of 40. My family went from being a type 1, no guns, no desire to have a gun to thinking something is wrong is at least one person is not carrying while sitting down for dinner. I know literally dozens of folks that changed their minds well after becoming an adult. In every case, it simply took a reasoned discussion, good examples and removal of the irrational fear of firearms that Hollywood has worked to hard to create.

That irrational fear is best removed by setting an example of safe gun handling. Live the 4 rules and the gun ceases to be scary and actually becomes comforting to those that do not carry themselves. All it takes is to bust the stereotypes and most folks will come around. There will always be those that are simple minded and do not accept new info very easily, but the majority of folks can be brought back from the dark side of the anti-gunners.

You must focus on the voters so the voters will change the politicians if they do not serve the people. Politicians will go along with whatever gets them re-elected and if the voters are pro-gun, so too will the politician be. It's a chain that is difficult to work if you skip links. Educate the voter so the voter will elect intelligent politicians. Then demand that those newly elected politicians strike down anti-2A legislation that prevents our teaching our kids about gun safety in public schools. Without educated voters, you get the kind of politicians we have today. The worthless politicians we have today are more than happy to create law that stomps on the 2nd Amendment to look like they are protecting the uneducated sheep. You'll never get school kids educated until voters elect officials that will allow them to be educated.

 

[88E30M50]

others
Educate those "close" to you. The people (family, neighbors, friends) that know you carry or know you like shooting etc and they themselves want to but don't know how to start.
Go over the Basics.
Take them to the range.
Help them apply for LTCH.
Show them INGO.

This^

If you are a respected person that people look up to, then PLEEEAAASSSEEE OC once in a while. People that know you need to know that good people carry and are not ashamed of carrying nor are afraid to be seen being non-PC by OC. Remember though, OC can educate either side of the argument. Act like a dumbass while OC and you'll probably get a lifetime achievement award from the Brady Campaign. I think those sick SOBs actually enjoy reports of a negligent discharge killing a bystander.

 

[warmachine]

I chose "other" given that there are too many good arguing points for any one group.

 

[Que]

I took the question directly to some people who meet the listed descriptions. The feedback was interesting and kind of changed my approach. I had one idea that I took to a gun-friendly organization and it looks like we will be moving forward with it. I will post the details in another thread.

 

[firecop9774]

LEO who strongly believes in 2nd amendment right for citizens to keep and bear arms - please don't lump me in with the politicians.......

 

[ghostinthewood]

I believe its with children as well. Is anyone familiar with some of the camps that our Conservation Officers help run? I think they're great programs, but I never heard anything about them until I went to collage. I think things like those would be a great tool to combat ignorance.

I think a lot of people lump gun owners in to the negative image that is the same as most "Tea Party" members have. People toting guns around and puffin their chest out and calling everyone who doesn't have a gun a communist/socialist/nazi/other silly names. Most gun owners aren't like that at all. I've very socially liberal (I'm a tattoo artist, go fig eh?) and I get a lot of people that dont believe I have a CCW or know anything about guns. A lot of people in my family are the same way. So, this negative image of how gun owners are don't help.

I don't wish any misfortune to anyone to change their mind, no matter how silly their notions are. I mean, how many times has anyone on here heard about someone who is very anti-gun rant and rant until they get their house broken in to or they are physically intimidated by someone.

I think these camps are a good start and if parents see their kids handling guns (in a safe environment under supervision of course) then it'll be pretty obvious that not everyone who shoots is a murderer. I think once kids are involved then some anti-gun adult's minds will change. No matter how silly someone may seem, you can bank on that fact their kids have some sort of influence on them.

The problem would be, of course, is after getting these things started/advertised, getting parents used to the idea of their kids handling killing machines.

tl;dr educate kids, adults are stupid.

*edit I skimmed gage's post and didnt think about it because its second nature to me. Once people realize I shoot (especially as much as I shoot when I have the money) they tend to want to shoot with me at least once because I'm not the profile they think of as a gun owner/enthusiast.

I feel like my post may be abrasive to some, so PM or post why and I'll see if I can clarify.

 

[Sureshot129]

I voted "citizen" because it's far easier to show someone who is on the fence that firearms are not like they see on T.V. and in the movies than someone with a hard stance against them. As more "citizens" learn and talk about firearms the people in the more hard-line categories that they know will learn that "normal" people like them can own guns and NOT shoot people for no reason and that a firearm will not just go off if you look at it wrong. I think that there position will soften and they may warm up to the idea, I think that most of peoples fear comes from a lack of experience. Focus on what you can change there is strength in numbers.