Help me normalize the pro gun culture

[bdpaz]

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

[jaybet]

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

[Hazcat]

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".

[gunman42782]

Try www.nrastore.com.  They have many good looking shirts, and it supports the NRA too. 

[Dakotaranger]

Try this:   http://www.cafepress.com/buy/firearms/-/cfpt2_/x_37/cfpt_667:fHBa__DB_________bRH_P___e/source_searchBox/copt_/y_13

[Sponsor]

[WymoreWrangler]

We need to get the message out to the larger sporting goods stores like Cabelas and Bass Pro, etc., to have friendlier "message apparel....

[Rastus]

We need to get the message out to the larger sporting goods stores like Cabelas and Bass Pro, etc., to have friendlier "message apparel....

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.

[Michael Bane]

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

[WymoreWrangler]

Michael, how's this    "Love to hear that Ding
                           
                               A bullseye target

                               on Downrange.tv"

[CLP]

  I always liked this one.  I've worn it to my food store and had favorible conversations.