Assault Weapons & Negative Perceptions of Hunters
Steve over at Black Bear Blog has published the results of a poll they ran asking: “Do you think the use of ‘military style’ weapons hurts the image of hunters?” It was nearly a 50/50 split between yes and no, with a handful of people unable to decide.
If the answer being sought by the poll was whether or not you think the use of ‘military style’ weapons should hurt the image of hunters, I think it did a pretty fair job of showing the division within our own ranks of the issue. On the other hand, if it meant exactly what it asked as worded, then I personally think anyone who believes the use of ‘military style’ weapons doesn’t hurt the image of hunters is living in a fantasy world. Maybe I’m splitting hairs, but it seems there’s a huge difference between the two.
No matter what we may believe, it doesn’t change the reality that most people the use of these styles of weapons by hunters in a negative way. Many factors play into the reasoning behind this perception. Top among them would have to be the misconception of what they are, their uses, and the negative propaganda by anti-gun groups painting them as ‘terrorist rifles’.
It’s the above reason that has me bothered by the results of the poll. If nearly half of the people who voted believe ‘military style’ weapons don’t have a negative impact, then we’re all in trouble. The only way to tackle any problem is accepting there is one to begin with.
Just like alcoholics have to admit and accept that they’re alcoholics before they can begin the road to recovery, we have to admit and accept that these styles of weapons reflect negatively on us no matter our own beliefs before we can change it. Until then, we can never hope to accomplish changing the misconceptions people harbor. Simply pretending that everyone else sees it the same way we do will never change anything.
So, instead of simply saying that they don’t have a negative impact on the way we’re viewed because that’s what we believe, are we willing to admit that they do reflect negatively so we can fix it? Let’s discuss.
hunting sense, guns, gun rights, gun bans, propaganda, anti-gun, legislation, military style weapons, assault weapons, Black Bear Blog, politics, Constitution, Second Amendment, Right to Bear Arms, hunters
April 13th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
It’s a fact of life that image matters. I deal in Marketing and PR so I know that what people think can have a big influence on how they feel about something, even if what they think has no basis in reality.
Part of the problem is lack of education. I’ve said this before, and probably will again, but I think more needs to be done to reach out to those people who are what I call apathetic hunting supporters. They aren’t against hunting, but don’t actively hunt or participate in any hunting forums or blogs themselves. Those are the people who need to know the facts so they can make an informed decision.
Another problem is the stubborn resistance that some hunters have to the idea that image matters. Yes, you are a free individual and as such have the right to do whatever you want. What hunters need to keep in mind is the fact that exercising their freedom may end up harming the image of hunters in general.
Guess I had some rant stored up. It might be time to do another “Image of Hunting” post over on my blog.
April 15th, 2007 at 9:01 am
[...] Third, I’d like to extend my thanks to Steve at Black Bear Blog for running his poll about ‘military style’ weapons and the image of hunters. The results provided me with fodder for my own discussion. [...]
November 19th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
[...] Dane County sold the most deer licenses. (I thought all you Dane County/Madison types hated guns…). [...]