amerika?!!!

Is that a typical sentiment in the organization? America with a ‘k’?

I would like to hit one to see for myself, although I suspect that each one is going to be slightly different depending on the instructors.

That’s true. Fundamental human nature does not change, no matter what the organization, and people are ornery creatures. But whether or not there’s a mellowing will depend on the leadership of the organization, which will fundamentally drive its structure and culture.

That’s a really good insight, thanks!

As for Appleseed, well, Fred in _Shotgun News_ echoed essentially the same sentiments towards people who do things on the net as you’ve included in your posting.

As someone who’s partly disabled and who e.g. nonetheless continues to teach beginning shooters as I can, I was rather … put off by this attitude. It’s not an either/or sort of thing.

I’ve been shooting since kindergarten, learned the utility of a sling on my high school rifle team (now zapped by PC, as is unfortunately and dangerously all too common), learned how to snapshoot a rifle at short ranges through a lot of otherwise mostly futile wingshooting and definitely not with a sling (!) … well, with all I’ve learned on your blog since reading that Fred article I’d have to say I’m a lot further from going to an Appleseed.

I think I’ll teach myself when I get sufficient range access (even here deep in Red State America my home town’s range we used to go to has been closed to the public, which is particularly silly given that its backstop is very high bluffs)

I agree that attacking others’ in the shooting community is a huge mistake, whoever does it. Fred’s method of propaganda can be a tad bit “intense”. It has it’s place, but like any strong flavor should be used sparingly.

The intenisity and zeal that seems to be at the root of the conflict is probably due to the age of the organization. I’ve noticed that most volunteer organizations go through similar growing pains. Hopefully with time things will mellow out.

I agree in regards to the comments you’re talking about. It is frustrating, but the disagreements, frustrations and bickering are actually a sign of a healthy community. There is no bickering on the anti-gun side that happens in public places. Why? Because they don’t have a true grassroots movement. They get the advantage of airing out their differences behind closed door and emerging with a consistent and unified (mostly) message. It would be nice to have that on our side, but we never will because of the numbers of players and personalities involved.

I think you’re pretty correct on the fact that we’re selling a “product” to the public. Appleseed really isn’t a bad idea at all, because gun owners are, to a very large degree, our target audience. Most of them are not involved and don’t think much about guns as a political issue.

A type I encounter often are those who despise politics and want nothing to do with it. Typically they are very nice people who can’t stand the adversarial, backstabbing nature of the beast. I’m not sure how you reach folks like that effectively, but a hard sell definitely won’t do it. A lot of them will honestly never be involved regardless, though.