Opinion: Shot Show 2011

[dreever]

jonbearman has a point. My 14 year old son wears camo Wrangler jeans we bought at Wal Mart. He wears them because they are comfortable with a lot of pockets. He dosen't wear them to school, but if he chose to I wouldn't care.
If we go to McDonalds and he has them on I don't think twice about it.

Danny

 

[15Tango]

Wearing camo isn't what I take issue with, it's camo that's the same pattern and colors as something one of the branches of the military uses (IE Marpat, Army Digital) and a garment that's made to look like it's an authentic military uniform. Ever think that perhaps those people that you're thanking for their service aren't even service members but rather somebody that's just wearing knock off ACUs?

Not liking the NRA has nothing to do with a list or any other tin foil hat theories. You think it's disrespectful to not be an NRA member, I think it's disrespectful to parade yourself as a soldier wearing fake ACUs. You spent money to save our rights - some people enlist to save those rights. Shaking a soldier's hand and thanking them then turning around and doing something to disrespect them . . . yeah. Just because you don't think it's disrespectful doesn't mean that it isn't.

 

[jonbearman]

The people I thank are in full uniform with their name placard sewn on and their correct rank status and the reverse flag.I have friends in the military and I can tell the difference. Enlisting in the armed services is a fine and proud thing to do.I dont think they would take a 53 year old guy with bad knees,blown out back ,partial paraylsis in his left arm ,destroyed elbows and ruined wrists and hands that are arthritic like a 70 year old,not to mention asthmatic from birth. I fight for our cause which is noble.You fight because you are bored. You should rethink about all the sour words towards others just because you dont agree with all the differences with all of us.I respect differences but you seem to know me so you think. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. This started about the shot show,how did we digress to all of this? Alot of equipment used in accurate rifles has been derived from the influx of idea's caused by the tactical so called industry.I dont really like the magazines giving this so much hype,but on the other hand we are the minority in the shooting world.There are far more plinkers and hunters in one county of new york than there are benchrest shooters in the country.We have to band together to get the job done period. Your name infers you were a soldier,if so sir you have my regards and thanks.On the other hand why dont you fill in your bio and tell us a little something about you so we know you alittle bit.We are all friends here and I respectfully agree to disagree with you and that is all.

 

[effendude]

I, for one, have only seen one individual posing as an active duty serviceman with the full uniform including a name tag on. Talking to him for one moment let you know he was nuts. But we live in a free country. He has every right to be nuts as long as he doesn't hurt anyone. I doubt any active duty serviceperson would treat any fully uniformed "poser" kindly, and rightfully so. On the other hand, does my wearing airman digital tiger stripe bdu pants make me nuts? I don't think so.... My son is in the Air Force and everytime I put them on when hunting, I am reminded of my son. People have been buying and wearing surplus uniforms for a long time, why make this an issue now? Are we that sensitive?

Using this same "logic", the only people who would be allowed to wear the colors, logo, jersey or cap of a sports team would be the actual players of that team because ordinary people might be mistaken for an athelete.

I don't judge anyone by what they wear. I judge them by their actions and statements. By not joining and supporting the NRA, some who have posted their dislike for the NRA are showing their ignorance for the perilous position our sport is in. Does anyone believe that without the NRA and its political clout, we would have all of the firearms freedoms we currently enjoy? I may not like some of the laws we live with now, but I bet there would be many much more restrictive laws without the NRA. How about the variety of competitive shooting sports, all supported by the NRA?

Wayne, don't show up and expect to participate in any organized HP events at the club. I require all participants to be NRA members. That is one judgement I will make. You must also be a member of the NRA to shoot competitively in any NRA sanctioned event.

Your name infers you have served, and your posts infer you saw combat. Thank You for your service, and if you saw combat, I am glad you returned safely. But if you are not currently on active duty, I might look at you a little funny if you have any issued clothing on when I see you next.....
Scott

 

[15Tango]

Jon, I don't care to put that much personal info out there in the open, mostly because I'm currently active.

Scott, you've got an email. I've never inferred anything about my DD214 or what's contained in it or any deployment history or lack there of.

I'm not getting into my issue with the NRA and name calling about it certainly isn't doing any good to support the cause, it's just perpetuating stigmas and quite frankly comes across in a negative way.

 

[Forum Boss]

Re "follow the money". When we wrap up our 2011 SHOT show stories I was thinking of doing a summary of my general thoughts and observations. One topic would be "why all the tactical stuff"?

While a lot of the "tactical" stuff is sold to guys who simply like a rugged rifle with military appeal, and that accounts for lots of stock and accessory sales, the big money flows from the military contracts.

Consider this. 45.7% of America's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is spent by federal, state, or local governments. (Source: http://www.usdebtclock.org/). That means nearly 46 cents out of EVERY dollar produced by the economy is government spending. I wouldn't be surprised if government (military, LEO, FBI, Homeland etc.) spending is a similar share of total gun industry dollars.

Consider this... Remington's contract for the M24E1 is reputed to be worth $25,000,000. That's just for one Army rifle program, it doesn't include rifles for the Marines, Seals, SOCOM, or the myriad SWAT and police snipers.

It would take 7,150 civilian shooters, spending $3500 each, just to equal the M24E1 contract total. That is well more than double the number of active benchrest shooters in the country.

Why should Remington develop a better action or barrel for a niche market (benchrest) when Remington can earn millions with tarted-up Rem 700s?

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

A-Men!! The bottom-line. That's all it's about. And these little cyclicle trend that we are now experiencing with Tactical goods are due to a war that has been upon us for 9 years 'PLUS.

 

[dreever]

Since this was my thread to start with I only have one more question.
15Tango.....since I already live in the mountains where do I get one of those Tactical wheel barrows??? LOL!

Danny

 

[flatlander]

My 1st SHOT Show was only a few years back - 2006. The guys I was with were more interested in the military/LE/tactical area, so we went through that first. This was when the show was still held in the Las Vegas Convention Center, when they more or less put all the tactical stuff in one area. Now it's spread out all over the show, though a lot of the tactical/LE/military stuff is confined to the smaller rooms off to the side of the main rooms. Honestly, I wish they'd move the show back to the old convention center - it's hard enough to find individual exhibitors when a show of this size is well-organized, and I'm not gonna give the organization of the shows in the Sands more than a D or D- in that department.

The one thing that surprised me a little was how crowded the show was - makes me wonder howcum, given how shakey the U.S. economy is supposed to be. It was so crowded that I'll be happy to wait for another couple of years before I go back again.

 

[15Tango]

since I already live in the mountains where do I get one of those Tactical wheel barrows??? LOL!

Fleet Farm of course. Your mind will be blown!

 

[1000yardstare]

I usually ignore pix like the above but this one is great. Crazy enough to get a chuckle out of an old shooter on a cold Winter night.

 

[dreever]

Thanks 15 Tango! Now all I have to do is find one of those Tactical beer vests and I'l be GTG!

Danny

 

[ChipEckardt]

Now THAT'S funny. Especially like the guy coming up behind him. Not my cup of tea...but darn I am still laughing.

Chip

 

[boogershooter]

I'll have to have a talk with my girlfriend about wearing her camo teddy to bed! Sorry about that,no disrespect intended. ;D On a m

 

[wapiti25]

I loved 15Tango's picture, It's great. As a Viet Nam vet I have mixed feelings with all of the "Rambo" stuff but overall I think the "copying" is good. Shooters cannot afford to be infighting, we need to stick together. I remember in the "80's" friends commenting about Mini 14's could be banned as "assualt weapons" but when their Rem 1100's were also included they saw the light. Don't be too critical of your fellow shooters as you may need them someday.

 

[15Tango]

Shooters cannot afford to be infighting, we need to stick together. . . Don't be too critical of your fellow shooters as you may need them someday.

I hope most shooters see it that way. I for one can't stand politics and don't want to be part of any political organization. The NRA has some good things about in regard to helping out ranges and being part of many of the disciplines we enjoy. However, they're also the largest firearms lobbyist out there. I don't see it as a very bipartisan organization either - if they're ying then the ACLU would be yang. I often see people on both sides crying freedom while supporting their core issue while turning their backs on another freedom. I'm not going to lend aid or my money to both sides of a tug of war. I've chosen to stay out of political organizations period.

That being said, I don't find the coercion of those to join the NRA to be very respectful of my views on the matter. When people say negative things about my freedom of choice in the matter I feel it's an attack on my freedom. Since this thread's started and gone in the direction it has I've been reconsidering if I want to continue this hobby at all - sell it all off and do something else with my time and money. Coercion can not only turn away those against and on the fence but can also make those on your side take a second look at things. We're all able to speak freely on this board and where ever we are in this country - does that mean we should all be required to be members of the ACLU? If you enjoy breathing air and the view of trees should that be a requirement to be a member of the Sierra Club?

So before you try to toe the line of the NRA with talking points about all they do and making those that own a firearm feel as though they have no choice but to be an NRA member, ask yourself how your message will actually come across. Will the way it's received be good for the cause or bad? Let people make up their own minds on something and leave it alone.

ETA: I was quoting Wapiti's words as a good example of the right way to do things.