The saying "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is," should be emblazoned on every gun owner's favorite firearm. If you are not willing to contribute to the cause, then you are part of the problem.
"But what can I do?" You ask.
Well, I have three cost effective ways to join in the battle for the hearts and minds of the next generation of gun owners.
Strategy #1:
If you reload, include your kids and their friends in sorting and cleaning the brass. Make a game out of what often seems like a chore. Let them know the importance of the task and greatly reward all participants for their efforts.
Example:
Treat the gang to an afternoon at McDonalds or the neighborhood Pizza Parlor (especially one that has a video arcade). The kids will get the message...help with the gun cleaning chores, go to a fun
place as payment for service rendered.
Strategy #2:
Go to the library or book store and get books about the old west and/or the history of America. Read to your kids from these books. Encourage them to draw pictures and make up their own stories about their favorite western character. If you have a video camera, help them make up melodramas and then videotape them. Involve or invite their friends to the "home screening," and be sure to provide ample adult approval of their efforts!
Strategy #3:
Go to the video store and rent movies like "Ole Yeller," and Roy Rogers, Gene Autry and John Wayne motion pictures. Watch them with your kids and their friends. Discuss the positive values in the films and why they are important. Be sure to emphasize that since it is a movie, no one was really killed. Draw the comparison between real violence and movie violence.
Obviously, these strategies should be part of a total plan to provide positive images of the gun owner to kids between the ages of three to seven years, the time when concepts of what is right and wrong are formulated in youthful minds. What if you don't have kids or your kids are past that age? Then look to your extended family, your brother's or sister's kids. Within the community, if there are kids who need adult mentors. The bottom line is "get involved with young people!"
The time spent with them will go a long way when as teenagers and young adults, they are challenged with RKBA and other Constitutional issues. I'll end with an advisory warning. If you don't think these strategies have merit, visit the Violence Policy Center web site (www.vpc.com). I'll bet you'll get the picture right quick.
Madison Walker sends regards.
