The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: bdpaz on August 31, 2007, 04:38:11 PM
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First some background info. The Whole Foods Market that has been open for years near my home (Tempe, AZ) recently posted "No Firearms" signs. They have the legal right to do this and, while I don't like the policy, I actually believe that a private business should be able to do so. I tried to find out the reasons for the signs but I didn't get a coherent answer so I stopped shopping there. But the podcast a few weeks back about normalizing the gun culture has made me reconsider. I'm now thinking that losing one customer has no effect but letting them and other customers know that I'm part of the "gun culture" and shop there just like a regular person might be more effective. And wearing gun shirts as mentioned in the podcast seems like an ideal way to start. I have already had one conversation with an employee who noticed the pistols on my "Celebrate Diversity" shirt. Nothing earthshaking, he was just curious but it is a start.
So finally, my cry for help - I need sources for shirts that are not the death and destruction/I'm a baddass/kill 'em all type. I'm looking for big eye catching designs of shooting sports, ranges, manufacturers, firearms, - anything people will notice.
Brad
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Very Good Point bdpaz!
A lot of the "gear" out there is camo or kick ass or something else that is a little scary to some people.
Tasteful gear that supports the belief that "gunners" are civilized, and that the arms are mechanical marvels- attractive, collectible, functional, and all that, can only be helpful in trying to initiate the un-initiated.
Just a thought
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Very Good Point bdpaz!
A lot of the "gear" out there is camo or kick ass or something else that is a little scary to some people.
Tasteful gear that supports the belief that "gunners" are civilized, and that the arms are mechanical marvels- attractive, collectible, functional, and all that, can only be helpful in trying to initiate the un-initiated.
Just a thought
Jay,
I agree with you and bdpaz. We need more gear that shows our lifestyle without going into "Uncle Ted" mode.
I wear my RO shirt all the time and all it says in "Ragne Officer Wyoming Antelope Club" and I get a lot of questions about it (good questions).
The industry NEEDS to come up with better ads, not just for their product but some way to say "Guns are not scary, ask me".
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Try www.nrastore.com. They have many good looking shirts, and it supports the NRA too.
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Try this: http://www.cafepress.com/buy/firearms/-/cfpt2_/x_37/cfpt_667:fHBa__DB_________bRH_P___e/source_searchBox/copt_/y_13
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We need to get the message out to the larger sporting goods stores like Cabelas and Bass Pro, etc., to have friendlier "message apparel.... ;D
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We need to get the message out to the larger sporting goods stores like Cabelas and Bass Pro, etc., to have friendlier "message apparel.... ;D
Would it be kewl if the sporting goods stores started marketing more non-core products to compete with bigoted, intolerant gun-hating people?
I am at least able to buy ammo at Wal-Mart....which, just to brag a bit, I picked up one of those (the last one) 200 round bulk packs of .223 for $46.20....eat ya'lls heart out!
I wear a Guns Digest tee, my boys wear various shirts with manufacturers names on them from time to time. I know Remington and Ruger have stores to buy shirts. In Jaybethel's theme, more radical shirts would tend to traumatize people so my "When All Else Fails Vote From The Rooftops" tee probably fits that vein. But to be a bit contrary to Jay, though I agree not to initially wear the more "brazen" examples, I would, after employees get to know one, a bit about their family and their character, not be afraid to whip out shirts that may intimidate those who don't know you. My belief is that once someone knows you the rhetoric can be ramped up a bit, relaxed and revisited to assimilate the uninitiated. Just my 2 cents.
Also...just for grins, I was able to buy 200 rds of .223 for $46.20! Eat ur harts out.
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I really like some of the slogans available at Cafe Press. Lemme put on my thinking cap and see if I can come up with something for DOWN RANGE.
Any suggestions???
Michael B
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Michael, how's this "Love to hear that Ding
A bullseye target
on Downrange.tv"
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I always liked this one. I've worn it to my food store and had favorible conversations.
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Cafe Press is really cool. I especially like the "I am good with numbers, .45, 5.56, 7.62..." and the "Pugs with guns are Godless killing machines...".
The best is the Thomas Jefferson quote, "The beauty of the second ammendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." You know, way back when the Constitution and Ammendments were written, "they" were out there. This is a clear quote that says it's up to us to resist when the time arrives. Are ya'll ready to get off your couch give up your cable TV for your guns? Heck, we all know people who will vote a straight ticket to be a good "whatever" despite gun-grabbing politicians...they can be family, working acquaintances, etc...if you aren't doing it you should be making them feel most uncomfortable, unwelcome, and out-of-the mainstream when they won't expend the mental exercise and effort to avoid a straight ticket that elects a gun grabber. I've got a journalist cousin...damn shame....the man likes to hunt but votes for the libs every time.
How about a tee with "Shooting Gallery" on it, the little yellow ducky targets going around, and in the background various scenes from the Revolutionary War (and others) that somehow ties in the fun of shooting and in a 2nd background highlights citizens defending themselves. Aw heck, that's too busy....let's just put the heads of our favorite politicians on the little duckies and leave it at that...but only to denote them as targets of political action.
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I really like some of the slogans available at Cafe Press. Lemme put on my thinking cap and see if I can come up with something for DOWN RANGE.
Any suggestions???
Michael B
"Downrange.tv the home for shooting sports on the internet".
"Downrange.tv Where shooting sports start"
"Get your shooting news and info on Downrange.tv"
"Downrange.tv Michael Banes' home on the internet"
"Take aim at shooting info at downrange.tv"
"Get your shooting news fix at Downrange.tv"
And we NEED the 'Duck" logo!
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Good suggestions all, and I just spent too much money on a big order from Cafe Press but now I have a new problem. Will someone please explain the Denny Crane shirts?
Brad
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I agree with the T-shirts and have been trying to get more conversation starting apparel.