The views expressed here are my own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of all stakeholders of DrGuns Defense Training.
One decision I took a lot of time making is whether or not to talk with others about guns. This includes questions about all of the ways we communicate with others: talking with family, relatives, neighbors, old friends, office chat, bumper stickers, home window stickers, social events, the guy standing next to you in the grocery line, online social sites, etc. In short, anything that tells anyone about you and what you have.
Talking about guns is a two-edged sword, and this is a question that has a lot at stake. It's a real problem, so all gun owners have to make up their mind about this. Talking has risks, and some unintended rewards if done right. Total silence has plenty of rewards, but the unintended risks could make this option unthinkable. Let's explore the risks and rewards of gun talk, here are some questions and points for your reflection:
One decision I took a lot of time making is whether or not to talk with others about guns. This includes questions about all of the ways we communicate with others: talking with family, relatives, neighbors, old friends, office chat, bumper stickers, home window stickers, social events, the guy standing next to you in the grocery line, online social sites, etc. In short, anything that tells anyone about you and what you have.
Talking about guns is a two-edged sword, and this is a question that has a lot at stake. It's a real problem, so all gun owners have to make up their mind about this. Talking has risks, and some unintended rewards if done right. Total silence has plenty of rewards, but the unintended risks could make this option unthinkable. Let's explore the risks and rewards of gun talk, here are some questions and points for your reflection:
Personal Protection
+ Talking about guns in public can compromise an individual tactical advantage by informing criminals who has a gun, making you a target, especially in public situations. Is it worth that risk?
+ Home Security could be compromised by talking about guns because a thief may find out you have guns, and the thief wants to steal your guns. Criminals looking to steal guns might be less likely to know you have them if you don't talk about guns. At the same time, most thieves break in and find whatever they can quickly, and they just want something they can sell/pawn, if it's a ring, fine, if it's a gun, fine.
+ Regardless of what you have in your home, violent criminals don't want to get shot in your hallway. So if they know you have guns, and they want the guns, they'll probably hit your house while you're gone. Be sure to have your guns difficult to move (locked up in a heavy safe, bolted down in a car) and difficult to find (out of sight).
Public Perception of Guns
+ Talking about guns can spread and normalize responsible gun ownership. If we talk, we can spread the good word about the advantages of having a firearm: the fun and enjoyment of the hunting and shooting sports, a final guarantor of freedom and liberty, the peace of mind knowing that I have options if I find myself in a very bad situation, etc. How will people know about the advantages unless we tell them?
+ Talking about guns in public can compromise an individual tactical advantage by informing criminals who has a gun, making you a target, especially in public situations. Is it worth that risk?
+ Home Security could be compromised by talking about guns because a thief may find out you have guns, and the thief wants to steal your guns. Criminals looking to steal guns might be less likely to know you have them if you don't talk about guns. At the same time, most thieves break in and find whatever they can quickly, and they just want something they can sell/pawn, if it's a ring, fine, if it's a gun, fine.
+ Regardless of what you have in your home, violent criminals don't want to get shot in your hallway. So if they know you have guns, and they want the guns, they'll probably hit your house while you're gone. Be sure to have your guns difficult to move (locked up in a heavy safe, bolted down in a car) and difficult to find (out of sight).
Public Perception of Guns
+ Talking about guns can spread and normalize responsible gun ownership. If we talk, we can spread the good word about the advantages of having a firearm: the fun and enjoyment of the hunting and shooting sports, a final guarantor of freedom and liberty, the peace of mind knowing that I have options if I find myself in a very bad situation, etc. How will people know about the advantages unless we tell them?
+ Public perception of guns is important because public perception sets gun policy. If we censor to the point of silence and don't talk about guns, people who hate gun owners will win the public battle against the Second Amendment, because anyone that doesn't know about guns will never know how much fun it is, and how much peace of mind a firearm can bring. Total silence would cause gun ownership to lose social acceptance by not spreading and not normalizing responsible gun ownership.
+ The mainstream media is rabidly anti-gun, and if lawful gun owners don't speak up, the lies and disinformation on TV and the Internet will swallow up folks who don't know any better.
National Protection
+ At any point in our lifetime, some of the wealthiest and most powerful politicians in America are as anti-gun as a human can be in the USA. Make no mistake: that means a lot of money, and very influential voices are trying to take away your guns right now. Voices of sanity need to be heard, and in some places your voice may be the only sane voice.
+ Talking about guns and promoting responsible gun ownership gains a social tactical advantage: the more law-abiding and responsible armed citizens, the better for our society. As Switzerland proves, a country with armed citizens tends to be less likely to be attacked by other countries. Talking about guns is good for "homeland" security, as they say.
Self-Respect
+ "Can I live with myself if I have a loved one (or friend or relative or coworker) that gets mugged or murdered, and I could have talked with him-her about lawful self-defense?" Tough one...
Your Social Credibility
+ Will friends (or relatives or coworkers) think less or more of you, if you talk about guns? Ugh...
Other options are to communicate about firearms in ways that are remote to your personal presence. Broadcast online about the protection, peace of mind, and advantages of a firearm and a carry permit, if one chooses. Discussion online without mentioning your real name is also an option. The main people we need to talk with about our guns is our elected officials. Communicate, email and call regularly and leave messages, urging them to protect gun rights, and to strengthen your right to effectively protect yourself and your family.
My Choice
My decision is: If I am talking with people I know well and trust, I talk about guns if the subject comes up, and specifically the fact that I am a happy and safe firearms owner. I talk about gun safety a whole lot! If I am marketing my firearms safety/defense classes or products, I communicate about guns, and I wear gun-related clothing during those times only. I communicate with my elected officials regularly. Otherwise, I don't broadcast loudly about guns in my own personal space. I don't want to paint a target on my back for criminals to see. I want to blend in and fade into the background, until it's time to choose my moment in the face of a deadly threat.
Your Choice
How you view these 5 realities will help inform your decision: 1. Personal Protection, 2. National Protection, 3. Self-Respect, 4. Your Social Credibility, 5. Public Perception of Guns. Your house location, job type, family situation, persuasion skills, view of the anti-gun media, and many more factors play into your choice as well. Please comment if you have thoughts......
-- Cody Bell
+ The mainstream media is rabidly anti-gun, and if lawful gun owners don't speak up, the lies and disinformation on TV and the Internet will swallow up folks who don't know any better.
National Protection
+ At any point in our lifetime, some of the wealthiest and most powerful politicians in America are as anti-gun as a human can be in the USA. Make no mistake: that means a lot of money, and very influential voices are trying to take away your guns right now. Voices of sanity need to be heard, and in some places your voice may be the only sane voice.
+ Talking about guns and promoting responsible gun ownership gains a social tactical advantage: the more law-abiding and responsible armed citizens, the better for our society. As Switzerland proves, a country with armed citizens tends to be less likely to be attacked by other countries. Talking about guns is good for "homeland" security, as they say.
Self-Respect
+ "Can I live with myself if I have a loved one (or friend or relative or coworker) that gets mugged or murdered, and I could have talked with him-her about lawful self-defense?" Tough one...
Your Social Credibility
+ Will friends (or relatives or coworkers) think less or more of you, if you talk about guns? Ugh...
Other options are to communicate about firearms in ways that are remote to your personal presence. Broadcast online about the protection, peace of mind, and advantages of a firearm and a carry permit, if one chooses. Discussion online without mentioning your real name is also an option. The main people we need to talk with about our guns is our elected officials. Communicate, email and call regularly and leave messages, urging them to protect gun rights, and to strengthen your right to effectively protect yourself and your family.
My Choice
My decision is: If I am talking with people I know well and trust, I talk about guns if the subject comes up, and specifically the fact that I am a happy and safe firearms owner. I talk about gun safety a whole lot! If I am marketing my firearms safety/defense classes or products, I communicate about guns, and I wear gun-related clothing during those times only. I communicate with my elected officials regularly. Otherwise, I don't broadcast loudly about guns in my own personal space. I don't want to paint a target on my back for criminals to see. I want to blend in and fade into the background, until it's time to choose my moment in the face of a deadly threat.
Your Choice
How you view these 5 realities will help inform your decision: 1. Personal Protection, 2. National Protection, 3. Self-Respect, 4. Your Social Credibility, 5. Public Perception of Guns. Your house location, job type, family situation, persuasion skills, view of the anti-gun media, and many more factors play into your choice as well. Please comment if you have thoughts......
-- Cody Bell