A Gunsmith’s Rant: What type of people own firearms?

The answer is simple. All types of people own firearms. From our oldest members of society who protected our freedom to young children shooting cans with BB guns. And there isn’t one race, religion, or gender to squarely identify as the main demographic for gun owners.

Statistics show that gun owners are predominantly White. On the surface, this allows for the misinformed to believe there is a negative culture surrounding these owners. Most of this we can thank the media for. But nobody stops to think of other reasons why this may be the case.

Let’s look at a scenario that may shed a bit of positive light on what has been demonized by so many. The sport of Hockey is a predominantly White sport. Around 90% to be exact. But yet there isn’t an evil correlation to ulterior motives. The NBA is composed of mainly Black Americans. Neither sport is an example of “gatekeeping” but it is an example of a lifestyle and culture built up over many years.

What correlates to gun ownership? Hunting and the outdoor lifestyle. A need to protect livestock, crops, and loved ones from some of the threats posed to us. When people get stuck in the mindset that their way is the only way, they forget about the large population that chooses to stick to a more rural lifestyle.

And when you threaten that way of life, you’re not rattling the cage of some right-wing gun nut as the news and your political leaders would have you believe. You’re directly affecting the lives of millions of Americans who just want to live the way they always have in peace. Without rules and regulations pressed on us by those that have had different life experiences.

What can we do to change peoples’ minds? Show exceptional gun ownership practices. Don’t be like “auditors” you see who test the limits of the right to carry in public for YouTube views. There’s actually no reason to flaunt the fact that you’re a gun owner. Someone once told me:

“If you got the go, you don’t need to show.”

I think that holds very true for firearms. The more people see that most gun owners have a sheepdog mindset vs the “Big Bad Wolf,” the more people will start realizing they too may want to become a firearms owner. The state of the world doesn’t need a bunch of gunslingers, it needs a bunch of responsible people that own firearms.

When you can prove the bad guys won’t shoot, the coyotes cuddle with chickens, and the bears are safe to hang out with in the forest, I’ll get out of the business. Until then, I’ll be here to help keep things running smoothly and working as they should.

-Anthony