I used to be a gun salesman at a huge destination store. I remember us selling hundreds of guns a day when Clinton was running for President. I’m also a leftist, which was very unusual for a gun salesman.
One time, we had a trans woman come in, and some of the other salesmen started snickering, but I went right up to her. We started talking about what she was looking for, and it turned out she was pretty knowledgeable, as she’d served in the Marines pre-transition. She was looking for a target pistol, and I found a used CZ-75 Shadow in the back and she was super happy with it. We were talking during the background check and checkout process, and she opened up that people had treated her like an outcast at the range and at her church, and I told her about a place I would shoot that was less-Republican, and I even talked to her about the university church I used to work for that had trans people on staff and hosted the annual transgender day of remembrance and told her that there were kind people out there.
Some of the other sales guys spent the whole time snickering, but I didn’t care. My managers were thrilled because I was selling to someone that everyone else was ignoring.
The next week she came in with a few trans friends. They were looking for me because they were interested in getting into shooting but didn’t want to feel judged. There were a few “Chilie’s got some more girlfriends” jokes, but I sold a few more guns.l to people who would end up getting more into the hobby.
Over time, more and more queer people would come in, but I wasn’t always there, or I’d be with another customer, so the other salespeople would end up having to help them, and it started to click that they were just people. Eventually, I got promoted away from the department, and I eventually left the store for a real career, but I got to watch the store become a kind of destination shop for queer folk looking for guns. And more remarkably, I saw some pretty hard-core right wing people open their minds a bit.
I’m not going to claim miracles, but the department probably went from 90% anti-trans to like 40%, which isn’t amazing, but is a huge improvement. I’m still a little proud that I was able to help start that trend, and I still have left-leaning friends ask me gun advice, or ask me to teach them and their kids about firearm safety even if they hate guns.
that’s not the way I expected that to go
thank you for sharing. genuinely
You’d be surprised at the number of folks who’ve never actually talked to a trans person and only know them through the alt rights propaganda of them.
I met my first trans friend through tabletop RPG and it was pretty clear after a pretty short time that they were a genuinely good person and I was an ass. I very quickly came to value them. It wasn’t as cut and dry as all that as I most definitely had to rethink my (shitty) view of the world. But they are one of my two best friends, and of the two the most trustworthy and reliable.
I guess all I’m saying is, once they’re welcome in a space, it’s easy to see that they’re just people. Pretty sure we all know that here, but the same cannot be said for those outside our circle of lemmings. I’m happy to see a greater example of my experience in your story.
Yeah, well said. LGBTQ people are still people too
I fucking love you. Keep up the good work. Check in on your neighbors, organize if you can.
Based and pro LGBTQ Pilled
If you’re currently versed in Firearms and are able to start a chapter, or if you are lucky enough to live in an area with a local chapter the SRA is a good organization. However they are apparently fractured and their politics may not align. https://socialistra.org/
Thanks to @supramario@lemmy.world https://www.blazingsword.org/ is better for LGBTQ+ anarchists that tend to not get along with Tankies.
A more decentralized option could be a John Brown Gun Club https://www.counterextremism.com/supremacy/john-brown-gun-club thanks to @sine_fine_belli@lemmy.world for reminding me.
Good basis of organized tactics. The guide below is more about organized movement than direct fire. Below will NOT help you in a firefight as it relies on a much larger trained force than you are likely to have. Good to know what the bastards study though. https://www.trngcmd.marines.mil/Portals/207/Docs/TBS/B2F2837 Rifle Squad Tactics.pdf?ver=2015-05-27-100939-710
How to avoid getting balled up and kettled.
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/anarch-ish-how-to-win-at-kettling-a-guide-for-non-policemenSabotage guide from WW2
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26184.txt.utf-8General armed defense
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/organizing-armed-defense-in-americaHow to organize a rapid response from a very high level with further detailed resources.
https://southerncoalition.org/resources/rapid-response-101/Good general advice on organizing, also a good resource to find groups near you that are likely aligned. https://www.fiftyfifty.one/organizer-resources
Feel free to reach out for any other resources.
https://www.blazingsword.org/ is better for LGBTQ+
SRA unfortunately has a ton of tankies…
Shiiiiiiiit I did not know, I’ll update my post. Thank you for the info.
You’re good, a lot of people don’t know it is. This is why I volunteer my range for blazing sword vs the SRA.
Nah, I’m well. You’re good. You’re helping make marginilized people safer.Thank you.
I’ll also recommend the John brown gun club
Added
Do tell how the SRA is “tankie”.
You’re joking right? The subreddit is heavily tankie and the forums before they took them offline where also tankie. I’m sure there are some people who aren’t like that, that are members of the SRA, but the majority is super tankie. Just look at their mission statement, it’s even got anti-capitalist as part of their mission.
No, why would I be joking? What’s the joke? Seriously, can we dive into this? What about my comment made you think I was trying to be funny?
subreddit
forum
You’re basing your opinion of a leftist org entirely on your personal internet experiences. Basing your opinion of an organization on internet experience vibes is not wise.
Just look at their mission statement, it’s even got anti-capitalist as part of their mission.
If you think being anti capitalist is synonymous with being a tankie, then you’ve done a better job discrediting yourself than I ever could have.
The SRA takes great pains to communicate the idea that they are a broad coalition of queen folks, people of color, anarchists, marxists, maoists, marxist-leninists, etc… united in the belief of anti capitalism. Their whole shtick is that any and all leftists can join united under the idea of learning about guns - regardless of individual philosophy. The fact that youre lobbing around the word “tankie” at zero hour of the fascist descent, in combination with equating “tankie” with anticapitalism, in combination with spewing FUD about one of the most successful and inclusive leftists gun rights orgs, makes it pretty clear that youre just one of the typical radlibs who aren’t ready to commit to reckoning with the United States’ burgeoning fascism.
Thanks for proving my point… nothing like an .ml tankie to come swooping in and drop some hot ass garbage.
PS. You can go through my comments, I’m a hardcore 2a guy who’s volunteered time with the pink pistols via my firearms and my own range, before blazing sword and they combined. The fact that you’re acting like those of us who don’t like fascist in any form are ok with swapping right wing fascist with you tankies version of authoritarianism is just hilarious.
Radlib lol first time I’ve heard that one.
On a more practical “where can I buy a gun” level, https://www.gunbroker.com/ is basically ebay for guns, serves the whole USA, and has been very reliable for me over the years. The catch is the guns are not mailed directly to buyers, a local gun store acts as middleman to receive and you go pick up from there. Saves a lot of time and money if you know what you’re looking for.
For knowing the law in your state about you can and can’t own and carry, start here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_the_United_States_by_state
Just as general advice for those new to online gun purchases. Please visit or call the shop you’re shipping the gun to give them a heads up. Often they usually have a nominal fee for taking delivery of and storing the weapon until you can pick it up. Also they’ll securely store the weapon until you pass any needed background check.
This queer socialist has been armed up for 30 years.
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Keep in mind that 9mm and .223/5.56 are rock bottom as cheap as they’re ever going to be.
The window to do anything at a reasonable price is closing everywhere fast.
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Find a friend or few that you can split the cost of buying a gun with, then share while you practice. You may not be able to have one you can have on hand, but being comfortable with a gun is one of the biggest hurdles early on, and we’re going to be seeing a lot more of them soon…
:(
Most of us who have guns… don’t have just one, find someone near you with a range on the blazing sword website and go train with them.
I am very happy to reach out on your behalf to any of the groups I posted. There are often folks that will help with training on the range. DM me if you like.
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A hipoint pistol can be had for about a hundred dollars. I’ve definitely been in a place in my life where a hundred dollars might as well have been a million. So I get it, I do. But if you can swing it, a cheap pistol throws lead just as fast as an expensive one does.
The firearm would be at the range run by the group, either SRA or JBGC or Blazing Sword
SRA is a good organization. However they are apparently fractured and their politics may not align. https://socialistra.org/
https://www.blazingsword.org/ is better for LGBTQ+ anarchists that tend to not get along with Tankies.
A more decentralized option could be a John Brown Gun Club https://www.counterextremism.com/supremacy/john-brown-gun-club
DM me and if you show up to one of the ranges, I’ll donate ammo to them on your behalf that you can use. Usually there are courses where you can show up unarmed and they will give you training and gauge your interests and motives. Also I implore you to let yourself take up space and to accept help however it may come. You don’t need to go to a gun range to find solidarity but there are many people out there that would really love any time or presence you can give. Showing up to a rally or a protest is free. Be well and remember that you are deserving of attention. All aid is mutual, all you need to do is show up.
Training doesn’t have to cost a lot. Just use it. Get comfortable with it. You don’t have to do fancy drills or fire from the hip. Just use it.
I’m fortunate to have free state game lands to go to. Perhaps you do too.
Bullets cost a lot when you’re training from 0
True, they’re not free. But when you shoot with purpose and you’re not just mag dumping, it’s worth it.
Do you have any good guides on this? One of the things I have seen with new shooters is adjusting to the sound of the gun itself is its own barrier.
I apologize if I’m offering you specifically unsolicited advice, this is really just a general answer to your question. If you’re interested, feel free to DM me and I’m very happy to talk to you in a more specific sense if you’re an RSO for a leftist range or if you’re interested in becoming one.
This is a great resource for talking to other leftists about self defense and to help them navigate what they feel they can do, or what they feel they need.
https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/j-clark-three-way-fight
As far as training, there are tons of great drills for beginners, the first course I usually teach doesn’t include any live ammo, just some pop cap training ammo. First we go over gun safety basics, all guns are loaded, what the muzzle is, never to point that muzzle at anything you do not intend to destroy, where the index finger goes, what a good grip is, what a good stance is, how to use the iron sights, how to use the optic, then after that. I go over the manual of arms of whatever weapon they’re training on, usually one of mine in 9mm or 5.56. That’s usually the first day. Then I ask them what they want to train on the next time they come and to please bring a box of whatever ammo they’re looking to train with. That’s really just to gauge interest as I almost always send them home with that ammo and help them work out a plan to get a firearm.
I usually send them this article to check out before they come to the range. https://liberalwithagun.com/what-to-expect-at-the-gun-range-as-a-first-time-shooter-liberal-friendly-guide/Once they have a weapon I usually show them some good dry fire drills to do at home, with an empty magwell of course. https://proarmory.com/blog/dry-fire-drills/ is a good resource, don’t buy any of the shit they’re suggesting though. Not for the first year atleast.
As far as drills go once they understand what a weapon is and I’m confident they’re not gonna perforate me?
These guys are chuds, but it’s a good course of fire https://www.pewpewtactical.com/low-round-count-drills/Not unsolicited, very much so appreciated.
Not really, to be honest. Practice, experience, and learn from your mistakes. ;) I just shoot when I can and pick up random knowledge here and there. It helps if you have a friend with more guns than you because they’ll be willing to show them off.
As for the sound, I almost always go outdoors. Fresh air is better for your lungs and ears than an indoor range.
Get a suppressor. They can be expensive, but if they’re legal in your state, look into it. They’ll save your ears and make the concussion go away. Your shooting neighbors will appreciate it too. Feel free to PM with any questions you might have.
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No no get it and training and aiming with it firing coupel shots save all the other shots. But train mainly with airsoft to fire cheaply while learning to maneuver/positioning/etc
Fixed: (No no thats good. Get firearm and training and aiming with it firing couple shots save all the other shots for when needed. But train mainly with airsoft to fire cheaply while learning to maneuver/positioning/etc)
Anyone got a internet checklist of what people should learn? Theres a lot that has to be learned then hourly daily practice to keep it refined
Edit: My brain went through it with first part of post commenting without sense what I meant to say. To put it frank that’s good for them!!
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Best of luck out there. Look for community. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
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https://translifeline.org/resource_category/relocation-assistance/
Reach out to any of the groups on here, they’ll help if they can. Also they fucking live for this shit, so not calling is more of a burden than calling. They would be legitimately happy that you reached out.
I bet you are not too far from a DSA or PSL chapter, you will find LGBTQ community there and they are very understanding of having no money. Also they will likely be able to help with other monetary burdens.
And having the mental stability with which to not inflict harm upon yourself with said firearm, of which I’m not confident I have, so me too :D
Expense aside I couldn’t trust having one so easily accessible to me with what these monsters have done to my mental health.
Do you know where I can get this sticker or attribute the artist that made this?
No unfortunately. Please source it if you find them!
If you use the gun to pass a gun buyback program, it’s more like a rental. If you use it effectively enough, we could pass a gun buyback with very high payouts, and you could turn a profit.
Bi colored guy here. I don’t advertise my sexuality but also don’t hide it.
There’s always a few folks that are shocked when I very happily tell them about my KS7.
