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So how many people have you convinced to carry?

bebop4one

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2013
Messages
142
Location
Seattle
I was thinking about this today and realized that it's important to me to spread the word and get others interested in carrying a firearm. To date I've convinced two people (my apartment building's maintenance man and a coworker) to get their CPL's. I especially consider my coworker a success story because I took her shopping for her first firearm this weekend. I've also been very vocal about the subject around friends and one of them who already has a CPL has started carrying more frequently because of me (his words). Unfortunately I haven't been able to get anyone comfortable enough with the idea of carrying openly yet but it's a work in progress I suppose.

Can anyone share success stories or give some advice on how I can convince more folks to start carrying?
 

Seriona

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2014
Messages
151
Location
Snohomish, WA
Just tell them the pro vs cons of OC vs CC. At the end of the day, it's their choice and nothing you say will truly have merit. Like this talk I had with someone on the bus, he is against the idea of people allowed to bring guns on public buses which I told them that in Community Transits case, they are classified as a city and regulated as such forcing them to allow citizens to carry under state laws, he didn't respond but he obviously respected my point. Same goes, just tell them and wait and see.
 

sudden valley gunner

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2008
Messages
16,674
Location
Whatcom County
Just by OC and the conversations is generates lots. Many of my neighbors started carrying, (not OC) and a few acquaintances started OC.

Last year at the libertarian convention because of the Carry of John, Kim, and I by the end of the day at least a dozen went from CC to OC.
 

wimwag

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 10, 2013
Messages
1,049
Location
Doug
One. And he open carries.



His girlfriend met me at Walmart and told me about how he wanted to open carry and was scared he would be harassed. I set the record straight. Saw him a few times with her, carrying what I'm assuming is a .44mag in a BBQ worthy rig. I did note the crimson trace grips but I'm not a revolver guy so I have no idea what brand or style it was.
 
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bebop4one

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2013
Messages
142
Location
Seattle
Just by OC and the conversations is generates lots. Many of my neighbors started carrying, (not OC) and a few acquaintances started OC.

Last year at the libertarian convention because of the Carry of John, Kim, and I by the end of the day at least a dozen went from CC to OC.

+1 awesome!!!
 

cds0699

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2014
Messages
19
2, my brother and gf are actively working twords getting concealed carry permits. They aren't comfortable with open carry, but that's still a work in progress.
 

Seriona

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2014
Messages
151
Location
Snohomish, WA
I have a CPL but I am currently OC because of the heat but I usually get more curious response than fearful once, usually the negative remarks are people being a smart a$$ like me going to Olive Garden today by myself and they asked me to sit in the bar which I told them I cannot do to me carrying so the lady escorted me to a table telling me that "because it's dangerous in Olive Garden" which my response was "because I don't trust the police". Her look was priceless.
 

tombrewster421

Regular Member
Joined
May 25, 2010
Messages
1,326
Location
Roy, WA
My dad, my wife, and my mom. My mom has her CPL though she doesn't usually carry it. There may be others that I don't know about.
 

kparker

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2006
Messages
1,326
Location
Tacoma, Washington, USA
I appear to be working at a slightly early stage in the process. I can't say I consciously sought out this role, but I seem to specialize in giving folks their first-ever shooting experience.
 

acmariner99

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2010
Messages
655
Location
Renton, Wa
Now that summer is in full force, I am OCing far more regularly once again. When I started getting into firearms I piqued the interest of several family members - one now carries regularly (CC) another is more interested in long guns then handguns, but would carry in certain situations, and another is interested but just hasn't bothered to get their CPL. The gf is supportive and is appreciative that I am not shy about firearms and carry in general - she is in a tug of war between public perception and the freedom to simply do it. Though when I get a chance I hope to take her shooting for the first time.
 

Schlepnier

Regular Member
Joined
May 12, 2011
Messages
420
Location
Yelm, Washington USA
Just off the top of my head I know of 5 people who i turned on to OC, all of them co-workers, one became a sheriffs deputy so I don't know if he counts anymore lol
 

OlGutshotWilly

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jun 30, 2008
Messages
443
Location
Snohomish, WA, ,
Because I am the "gun guy" at work, I have several co-workers now who have gotten their CPL's and carry, at least part time. My only frustration is that most of them have bought .380's 'cause they are small and easily carried in their pockets.

But………They have at least acquired their CPL's and guns, which is more than when I started here. One has moved up to a 9mm, has built an AR, and is reloading now. My co-workers told him not to partner with me because I would have him financially ruined in no time….. ;) It only took me one month to convince him to reload and acquire two guns LOL!
 

JoeSparky

Centurion
Joined
Jun 20, 2008
Messages
3,621
Location
Pleasant Grove, Utah, USA
I have not convinced anyone to carry. I believe one convinced against their will is of the sane opinion still!
The have been several who now carry regularly who did not carry before after some example from me and some encouragement.
 

skidmark

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
10,444
Location
Valhalla
I've never tried to convince anybody to do anything.

Sure, I've pointed out the benefits of deciding to act one way or another, and the risks of choosing to act in a particular manner.

Since the decision to possess a firearm is a highly personal one fraught with many dangers as well as benefits, I do not want to be "responsible" for what someone who is not me might do after they take that first step. (I've got enough trouble keeping myself out of trouble.)

That being said, there have been some folks who have told me that what I said or did factored into their decision - about possessing a firearm or a host of other things. (It's also been said that I could convince Eskimos to pay for overnight shipping for the ice I just sold them.)

stay safe.
 

OlGutshotWilly

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jun 30, 2008
Messages
443
Location
Snohomish, WA, ,
I've never tried to convince anybody to do anything.

Sure, I've pointed out the benefits of deciding to act one way or another, and the risks of choosing to act in a particular manner.

Since the decision to possess a firearm is a highly personal one fraught with many dangers as well as benefits, I do not want to be "responsible" for what someone who is not me might do after they take that first step. (I've got enough trouble keeping myself out of trouble.)

That being said, there have been some folks who have told me that what I said or did factored into their decision - about possessing a firearm or a host of other things. (It's also been said that I could convince Eskimos to pay for overnight shipping for the ice I just sold them.)

stay safe.

One does not have to specifically argue or debate the points of carrying to "convince" someone to carry.

The word itself may be a less than perfect way to articulate what we do with people in our sphere of influence, to allow them to choose to carry. We "convince" people to start carrying, or to adopt the lifestyle of being responsible for their own and their families protection, by our example, our willingness to discuss the pros and cons of the lifestyle, our enthusiasm and/or dedication. In doing it this way, they convince themselves, or choose to adopt, the lifestyle.

We answer their questions, explain the benefits when they ask or show interest, and point them to forums/blogs/organizations/stores/classes and ranges where they can educate themselves and decide for themselves.

We, by our example and willingness to help or advise them, allow them to become convinced, in their own mind, that they want to pursue this path.
 

FMCDH

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 9, 2008
Messages
2,037
Location
St. Louis, MO
Over the years, I have influenced perhaps a half dozen or so to carry, though they do so mostly situationaly, and not as a daily choice as I do when I am in states that allow it.

Beyond carry however, I feel that I have influenced far more people to be more educated and aware gun owners, which I think is more important for the 2A cause. By and large, the entire subset of "gun owners" (vs those who actually carry as a lifestyle choice) are simply too un-educated about their own rights and responsibilities. I can't even count the number of conversations I have had with "NRA fudds" where they had no clue about the legislation going on around them, or how it may affect them.

On that thought, I miss living in the free world, as few outside of the military men and woman I work around even want to have that conversation down here in the PRoC. :(
 
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