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RESPECT THE YOUNGER GENERATION!!!

quamnetquamnet Member Posts: 332 ✭✭
edited March 2002 in General Discussion
I just wanted to say that I am very disturbed with the way the younger generation is treated by the older generation when it comes to guns and hunting. I am 17 and have been treated very rudely by MANY people when it comes to this. I am a very polite person, but when it comes to this older men in particular can be just mean. Today for example I waited in line for 20 minutes while the gunsmith at the Sporting Goods Store let THREE customers go ahead of me. He simply didn't want to waste his time on me, and when he did he couldn't have been less interested. I have gone to a couple ranges too and the people are just terrible. I am not an idiot and I actually know quite a bit about guns, but no one takes me seriously. WHAT DON'T THESE MEN LIKE? They should be happy that the younger generation want to follow in their footsteps and keep an American Tradition alive. They should support us and help us because they won't be on this earth forever. The youth of today are the ones who will keep our 2nd Ammendment Right in existant. Believe it or not we are not all crazy kids who shoot up schools the second we get a gun. I am sure that a majority of those who are avid gun enthusiaists became exposed to guns in their youth. So please next time you see a young person who looks like they could use a little help or even if they don't, go talk to them. That is the main reason I use this forum so much; this is the only place people take me seriously, respect, and help me. Thank you and any feedback is welcome.
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Comments

  • DarkStar11DarkStar11 Member Posts: 1,557 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you read the post "How do i make Tracer rounds" that was started by Konet, you might get a better idea why the initial reaction is what you have experienced. Besides that, if you appear to be under 18 and you don't have an adult accompanying you at the sporting goods store, the folks behind the counter probably won't view you as a potential customer when you are asking about a firearm. Is it a chain-type store or an independent shop? If it is a chain, forget it until you are 18. If it is an independent, keep going and talking to the folks. Convince them that you know what you are talking about and that you are interested in the sport, and that you can't wait till you turn 18 in a few months. Don't be put off if they deal with the folks that are able to buy first. One of the beauties (or quandaries) of the Internet and bulletin boards: You are nameless and faceless. You are judged on your words and actions, not your appearance. If you talk and act like a stupid kid, you will be treated as one, even if you are 40; If you do not, you won't, even if you are only 15. I would not be surprised to see laws passed in the next few years where people under the age of xx cannot even enter into a business where firearms or ammo is sold. Be happy you are 17 now.
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  • timberbeasttimberbeast Member Posts: 1,738 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    That is a problem, quamnet. Personally, I don't treat people by age or by any other "qualification", except that they are responsible and treat me the way that they want to be treated. If you treat me respectfully, you can shoot my guns any time if you show that you can live by the safety rules that I impose. If you don't, I don't care if you're 70 or 100. You won't touch them. Your appearance has nothing to do with it, hell my 19-year-old son has piercings and tattoos, and he handles a gun as safely as any of the friends I have who are older than I.This is something you'll have to get used to and to put up with. Many folks who speak of freedom and rights have forgotten what it is like to be a young man, and look down upon you just because you are from a different generation. They have forgotten that when they were young, their elders did the same.Hang in there and be patient, and be polite and courteous, even if it's not reciprocated. That will open many eyes.Argueing with someone who judges you because of your age or appearance is a waste of time. Walk away from it, trust me. I'm 44, and I fought it for years. Waste of time!! Just be you!
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  • wundudneewundudnee Member Posts: 6,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Don't paint all old geezers with the same brush. You got some good advise from the Beast. I am the same way I dont judge by clothes, hair, color only by actions. Old doesn't mean automatic intelligence. Young doesn't mean the lack of same. I don't have a problem working for much younger people with some good sense. I also don't think the work ethic disapeared with my generation.Be patient and listen, contribute when you can. You will find that a lot of them grumpy old men are just older young guys.(Sure wish I knew what I was trying to say.)
    "It's great to be great, but it's greater to be human." Will Rogers
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  • Patrick OdlePatrick Odle Member Posts: 951 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Unfortunately, some old-geezers have never been young, and therefore cannot relate. I have most of my problems with the young that unlike me have never had loving parents to teach and guide them, and have through no choice of their own became television orphans. Back in the 60s I was a line formanin a factory that was a part of the 5th largest in the U.S, and have on several occassions, had female operators tell me that, they would work if they only made enough money to pay the babysitter. I promptly told them if that was the way they viewed their children that in my estimation,they were not fit to have children. You are indeed a victim of your times, and in no way to be penalized for something that is not of your own choosing. You will experience, good and bad, in the old and young. I would advise, to absent yourself from anyone old or young that doesn't have the common courtesy to recognize your existance, and consider it their loss not yours.
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  • offerorofferor Member Posts: 8,625 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm in the corner of any young gun enthusiast, whether he's interested in hunting or just likes guns and wants to punch holes in paper, melons and the like. As long as you're not thinking about drive-bys or settling a score, I'm with you.My advice to young people is not to go into a gun store TOO OFTEN without being prepared to buy something. Gun shops are certainly not unique in showing poor customer service to one group or another. It may be that this guy has had one too many looky-loos and would prefer to service the people he knows, and knows have money. If you talk to him enough, you may start to remind him of himself when he got started, but if you don't, find a gun shop where you are more welcome and give them your business. Just make sure you don't waste people's time by being all talk and no bucks too often. I've gone in to window shop, and some dealers don't handle that very well. I do it anyway, because I know I'm there to check out certain models in person, or to check what's in his ammo stock, whether I buy today or in the future. Eventually, the chickens come home to roost on a rude gun shop owner, even if he doesn't think so. But also, don't stand around and expect people to say 'may I help you' in every gun shop. Some figure you'd rather be left alone until you're ready to buy. Could it be he didn't know you were ready to be helped? Anyway, welcome to our "little club."
    "The 2nd Amendment is about security, not hunting. Long live the gun shows, and reasonable access to FFLs. Join the NRA -- I'm a Life Member."
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am an old geezer with white hair and beard and I sometimes get the same treatment at gunshops, so it may not be entirely about age. Your points are well taken and many of us would love to younger folks following in the shooting/hunting traditions. I just wish I could find another old geezer (or a young geezer) to teach me more about shotgunning! Hang in, not everyone will be jerks.
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  • BlueTicBlueTic Member Posts: 4,072
    edited November -1
    Young or old - some gunshops are just busy as hell. I'm already 44 and still run into this dealer attitude every now and then. But I must say - out on the range should be a little different. Yes you are herded into groups and every one wants to give you pointers, but if you have shown some proficiency and knowledge - I'de just as soon let you shoot and shut up. I take my kids (17 - 11) shooting and try not to be overly instructive but safety has to be restated every now and then.
    IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY RIGHTS - GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY (this includes politicians)
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  • RosieRosie Member Posts: 14,525 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm an old fart who loves to teach and help the younger people, often at my own expense. When I'm at a trap range and I hear ROSIE! I know they have another youngster that needs help. Hang in there. It will get better. Rosie
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  • RembrandtRembrandt Member Posts: 4,486 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Quamnet,Nature has plenty of examples to draw from....ever see what an Old Buck does to protect his territory when a young spike cames along?....bring a new dog into anothers world and you're going to see sparks fly....the experiences you had are normal and will build and define your character...it will all pass in time.
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  • daddodaddo Member Posts: 3,408
    edited November -1
    I'm 47 now, but I was 17 once and I know how you feel. It's normal for people to give more respect to the older people I quess because they think we earned it and in some cases -rightfully so. You come to my house and you will see lots of kids (young adults). My wife and I house, taxi, and feed all our kids freinds when they come over. I have taught all of them gun saftey and have spent hours at the range with them (with parents permission). Most of them have fired so many rounds , they have become bored and are persuing guitars, girls/boys and cd's. We show do respect to them and as a reward- they respect us. I remember when I turned 32 years old and I noticed, finally, I was getting respect because I had a career, a home and was married. Sometimes these things help. Don't worry- you will age and get respect, just don't be in a hurry because it sneeks up on you very fast and there ain't no going back! When I was 11 years old, I would tie my .22 rifle on the handlebars of my bike and travel a few miles to shoot rabbits. A policeman stopped me in the middle of a hunt once (I was on private property) and he told me I'd have to hunt someplace else, so I tied the .22 back on the bike and left. IF THAT HAPPENED TODAY- I WOULD BE ARRESTED AND CALLED ALL KINDS OF THINGS- LIKE- "A MASS MURDERER" "A TERRORIST". If you went to school without a pocket knife, you were a sissy. The teachers used to borrow my knifes. What I'm trying to say is- people attitudes have been changed about the youth of today because of a few "bad apples" and the rest of the young are paying for it and I say it's a SHAME!
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  • moparmopar Member Posts: 338 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Quamnet, I've got an 18 year old daughter that loves to go shooting with me.She knows all the rules of gun handling and MY rules too. Even bought her an 870 20ga of her own a while back.If you are anything like herregarding the responsibilities of gun handling,then you can shoot with my anytime or anywhere. So keep your head up bro,it will only get easier as time goes by 'cuz we've all been there too! Take Care mopar
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  • whiteclouderwhiteclouder Member Posts: 10,574 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Ya listen t'what I got ta say and do 'xactly like I tell ya and we'll * along jist fine. Ya don't know goose droppings from lickerish, so jist stand there 'til I tell ya ta say sumpthin.Young whippersnappers, al'ays buttin' in.Clouder..
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  • hunter280manhunter280man Member Posts: 705 ✭
    edited November -1
    Yep, I'm 41 and got blown off while looking for a new turkey gun 2 weeks ago. It was at a very prominent gun shop in Bay City called... well, Ill let that go but it happens to all of us! We have several KIDS in our group comming of age to hunt, some I respect by their actions, others I doubt that I can respect, Its a shame! Now I am one of the "elders" of my group, since my Grandpa passed on a couple of years ago and my father is in his mid sixties. The torch has been passed from eldest of the eldest again so to speak; I hope you can bear with the lack of respect for awile. It will get better. Just try to not judge by appearences or age when its your turn! Hmmm, I wonder what others thought of me when I was young? I shudder to think.
    Though I was born to royalty, I was snatched at birth, so treat me as the noble I am!!!
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  • budmottbudmott Member Posts: 155 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Maybe them boys weren't on comission.I am old, grey headed and fat. Still gettreated like they are doing me a favor to help me, and this is one the largestgunshops in OK. Try some place else, some where there are nice people who need to earn a living.Just rustle a few hay stacks.bud
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