Take a reporter shooting

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    I'm catching up on articles and such this morning before i head up to my workroom to finish off some holsters.

    An idea came to mind, that may be worth pursuing. It's off the "educating the public" idea to guns and ownership.

    How about a 'Take a reporter shooting' day? I know many folks here enjoy a day out at the range, how about inviting a reporter from the local paper or tv station and teach him/her how to shoot?

    It's be on the premises of introducing a new person to shooting, which means keep it all apolitical (no politics!). Some folks have taken co-workers or significant others. Why not educate the very people who send out the greater message?

    I don't think this should be turned into a crusade or protest, rather, keep it on an informal level (I repeat, no politics!). Extend invitations to a ladies night or club shooting night at the local range. That'd be a fun outing that can generate good press or at the very least, a positive blurb.

    Anyway, just something to think about and a simple idea to educate those around us.
    Target Sports
     

    mac79912

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    I tried asking some reporter to go shoot with us.They have been in numerous time's this week.They are reporting on the increase of gun sale's.One reporter was very interested and he told us that owned gun's and would love to do a story.He said he had to run it by his general manager before he could commit.
     

    Shorts

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    I tried asking some reporter to go shoot with us.They have been in numerous time's this week.They are reporting on the increase of gun sale's.One reporter was very interested and he told us that owned gun's and would love to do a story.He said he had to run it by his general manager before he could commit.


    Good to hear, keep us updated. Even if it turns out the guy doesn't get approval for the story, hopefully he'll come out to shoot as a private citizen
     

    Shorts

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    I'd be willing to do that in the Austin area. God knows it's by far one of the neediest areas of Texas.


    I think it'd make for good press, especially in Austin where there is such a large crowd of folks who would enjoy it.


    Hey, you know what would be interesting? Having a "legislator night" and actually have our reps spend a few hours shooting. How's that for education! lol I realize there would be a ton of hurdles to get something like that done. Its just one of those "wouldn't it be nice if..." sorta thoughts.
     

    Texan2

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    I'm catching up on articles and such this morning before i head up to my workroom to finish off some holsters.

    An idea came to mind, that may be worth pursuing. It's off the "educating the public" idea to guns and ownership.

    How about a 'Take a reporter shooting' day? I know many folks here enjoy a day out at the range, how about inviting a reporter from the local paper or tv station and teach him/her how to shoot?

    It's be on the premises of introducing a new person to shooting, which means keep it all apolitical (no politics!). Some folks have taken co-workers or significant others. Why not educate the very people who send out the greater message?

    I don't think this should be turned into a crusade or protest, rather, keep it on an informal level (I repeat, no politics!). Extend invitations to a ladies night or club shooting night at the local range. That'd be a fun outing that can generate good press or at the very least, a positive blurb.

    Anyway, just something to think about and a simple idea to educate those around us.

    We invited a reporter from the San Antonio Express News to our department last year, when she started asking why a small department bought some fully automatic rifles. We took her and a photographer to the range and talked to them about the perils of LE and how far away help is in rural areas sometimes. We talked about encountering illegal aliens nightly, and loads of drugs coming up from the border and numerous other issues. We also let her shoot our weapons. She is a 100% liberal, but had a great time and wrote a good story that was very accurate. Was on the front page of the Express News about a week later titled, "The Eyes and Ears of Homeland Security"
    Granted this wasn't about private citizens, but it showed me that some reporters will approach the subject with an open mind...
     

    Shorts

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    We invited a reporter from the San Antonio Express News to our department last year, when she started asking why a small department bought some fully automatic rifles. We took her and a photographer to the range and talked to them about the perils of LE and how far away help is in rural areas sometimes. We talked about encountering illegal aliens nightly, and loads of drugs coming up from the border and numerous other issues. We also let her shoot our weapons. She is a 100% liberal, but had a great time and wrote a good story that was very accurate. Was on the front page of the Express News about a week later titled, "The Eyes and Ears of Homeland Security"
    Granted this wasn't about private citizens, but it showed me that some reporters will approach the subject with an open mind...


    That is excellent!

    Have you been able to follow up with this reporter since. Is she still at the Express News? I wonder if it would be worth a good read to do a "One year later" type of story. Possibly to include positive results on busts, maybe emphasizing the safety record and even a few anecdotes.

    Maybe another range trip????? :)
     

    JKTex

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    :p I thought it said "Take a Reporter. Shoot'm".

    So, do you have to have a license to take a reporter, kinda like a doe permit? And if you don't want to take one shooting, I wonder about taking one by bow?

    Badumpbump!
     

    Shorts

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    :p I thought it said "Take a Reporter. Shoot'm".

    So, do you have to have a license to take a reporter, kinda like a doe permit? And if you don't want to take one shooting, I wonder about taking one by bow?

    Badumpbump!



    I can think of a few I'd like to invite to this outing. I think a permit is the most fair way to do it.
     

    DirtyD

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    So do we have a raffle for tags? Or is it something you get when you get your super combo? "I would like to know if I can trade out this Red Drum tag for a reporter tag?'
    "Certainley sir, would you like print or television?"
     

    Texan2

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    That is excellent!

    Have you been able to follow up with this reporter since. Is she still at the Express News? I wonder if it would be worth a good read to do a "One year later" type of story. Possibly to include positive results on busts, maybe emphasizing the safety record and even a few anecdotes.

    Maybe another range trip????? :)

    She still works their and calls us regualarly to get news. I was amazed at how many citizens contacted us afterward to tell us we didn't need those rifles! I guess they would feel different it it was them at the bank during a North Hollywood type robbery.... (We also had some call and say that they were happy and felt more protected)

    The reporter has moved on from her fascination with guns for the time being, but I may try to work it into a conversation one of these days.
     

    kingofwylietx

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    I was amazed at how many citizens contacted us afterward to tell us we didn't need those rifles! I guess they would feel different it it was them at the bank during a North Hollywood type robbery.... (We also had some call and say that they were happy and felt more protected)

    Well, as for my local PD, I want them armed to the hilt. As a citizen, I want them to be ready, well-armed, and well-equiped. The last thing I want to hear on my 911 call is that it will be a while because their car broke or they are not prepared for my emergency.

    As for not needing those rifles.....some people assume you need to kill somebody with something for it to be effective. They don't understand the deterent created by a shotgun or large black assault rifle. They don't understand that sometimes you can win a situation by having the biggest baddest nastiest thing around......not because you use it, because it becomes clear that you CAN use it.

    It's similar to nuclear weapons. We have a bunch of them, but have only used 2 in actual war. So, somebody might say "hey, we don't USE these anymore, lets get rid of them". It's a deterent. It says 'look at what we can do to you if you push us'.
     

    Pony

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    . . .It's off the "educating the public" idea to guns and ownership. . .

    Thats a great idea.


    :sign0101:
    The topic of which type of training is best has been discussed to death, so I will not get into that debate here. I attend Front Sight Firearms Training Institute (a firearms training institute based out in Nevada) a couple of times a year (using free passes - I can't afford the cost of courses at the regular price). Anyway, they preach, and practice, this exact philosphy. They regularly have reporters, celebrities, and policy makers, attend a free 2 day Uzi course. They agree to give interviews on one condition - you attend a free course first. I highly recommend the courses and the facility. You can get certificates to attend a course on eBay for around $100. I attend with a group I met their the other year, and they kindly keep inviting me to their group booking for just $50 for the 4 days (normally $2,000 a course). I can take friends who haven't attended before for the same price, but I've run out of friends who haven't been and want to go :rolleyes:
     

    Shorts

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    She still works their and calls us regualarly to get news. I was amazed at how many citizens contacted us afterward to tell us we didn't need those rifles! I guess they would feel different it it was them at the bank during a North Hollywood type robbery.... (We also had some call and say that they were happy and felt more protected)

    The reporter has moved on from her fascination with guns for the time being, but I may try to work it into a conversation one of these days.


    Well stay in touch. You never know when that connection can come in handy. Its good she got a chance to come out there that first time for the story. Who knows, without that experience, she may have a drastically different approach to her writing. This may be the one and only time she experiences some of those firearms and she got a good introduction



    Thats a great idea.


    :sign0101:
    The topic of which type of training is best has been discussed to death, so I will not get into that debate here. I attend Front Sight Firearms Training Institute (a firearms training institute based out in Nevada) a couple of times a year (using free passes - I can't afford the cost of courses at the regular price). Anyway, they preach, and practice, this exact philosphy. They regularly have reporters, celebrities, and policy makers, attend a free 2 day Uzi course. They agree to give interviews on one condition - you attend a free course first. I highly recommend the courses and the facility. You can get certificates to attend a course on eBay for around $100. I attend with a group I met their the other year, and they kindly keep inviting me to their group booking for just $50 for the 4 days (normally $2,000 a course). I can take friends who haven't attended before for the same price, but I've run out of friends who haven't been and want to go :rolleyes:


    Pony, that's definitely interesting. I never though I'd be a little jealous of reporters
     

    Pony

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    I'm trying not to hijack this thread. Anyone wishing to attend the course should PM me for details.
    Here are a few details before you contact me.
    I attended my first time completely on my own. I was grouped with a party of 38 from Colorado. At the end of the course we exchanged email addresses to share our photo's of the course. They kindly invite me every time they hold a party (twice a year so far). I'm always told to bring friends who have never attended before. Some of the group I go with have memberships, and with these memberships they are entitled to host parties - the usual requirement is the party consists of at least 20 people who have never attended before (they hope new attendee's will love the course so much they will book other courses or become members).
    Hotels cost between $60 and $80 a night (for a two queen room - so $30 to $40 each if you share a room). Food at the hotel is subsidized (it has a casino) and can cost as little as $8 for a good meal.
    The hotel/nearest town is 15 miles away - so a transport is a must.
    Courses are packed with information, and absolutely no time is wasted. 8 am to 6 pm for 3 days, and another day runs until 9 pm for the night shoot. Evening optional classes run every night covering things like which shotgun to buy for home defense (with demonstrations) or other useful topics.
    NO boot camp mentality. Training is very professional, and relaxed.
    All law abiding walks of life attend.
    After the course you WILL be able to draw FROM CONCEALMENT and place two shots ON TARGET in under 1.5 seconds. I've seen even the most basic gun owners go from incompetent to this level on the course.
    FrontSight charge $50 background check.
    The organizer of the party is charging $50 for the place.
    Groups are usually split in to groups of 40 - typically 3 or 4 groups doing handgun, 1 or 2 groups doing shotgun, 1 or 2 groups doing rifle. They also host other courses. A typical 4 day event may see you with about 200 like minded individuals; split in to groups of 40 or less. The training facility is huge, with lots of ranges.

    If anyone is interested in going then drop me a PM. SERIOUS enquires only. I'll be driving out there again, so a ride share is available (you pay your share of gas). I can seat 4 more comfortably. No places are guaranteed - it is not my party to invite. In the first instance I'll introduce you to the party organizer via email. They usually have spare places for first time attendee's, but it is no guarantee.

    I took a friend on a free place earlier this year. He made a web blog all about it. Its rather a good site.

    BLOG:
    https://mail.brazoslink.net/weblog/jon/General Interest/2008/04/17/Take-AwaysFromMyFrontSightEx.html

    Pictures:
    Front Sight 4-Day Defensive Handgun
     

    Shorts

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    Thanks Pony - sharing this information is great. We may not all go right away but I'm surely going to note this info and try to plan for a trip if schedules and circumstances allow.

    A note on the picture page, it does not work with Firefox but it displays pics in an Explorer tab.
     

    Pony

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    Thanks Pony - sharing this information is great. We may not all go right away but I'm surely going to note this info and try to plan for a trip if schedules and circumstances allow.

    A note on the picture page, it does not work with Firefox but it displays pics in an Explorer tab.

    Not sure why the pictures don't work in FireFox - they work in Safari on this Mac. I just tried them in Firefox on the Mac and they don't load. Its not my site, but I'll let Jon know (he is the guy I went with).

    If you don't attend this time, then check eBay - members sell their certificates for about $100 a time. When someone buys a membership they get a couple of free certificates that enables others to attend a course - so you see them for sale often.

    I sincerely hope you and others attend. The course is great.
     
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