Educating a Foreign Student

[mingomom]

My husband and I are hosting two 17 year olds for the month of July. One, from Spain, was here a week before the other (from France) and at the fireworks on the 4th, casually asked me about Americans and guns. I asked him what he knew about it and then explained the 2A and other reasons for carrying. I also explained that most of the shootings that happen occur with illegal guns and prohibited persons. He seemed amused and confused and also indoctrinated into the anti view, but I asked him if it would make any difference if it was someone he knew? So I told him that I had been carrying all week, explained the laws of PA, and offered to show him my gun. He was intrigued and impressed with the gun (what boy isn't really?) and then seemed a little more confused as his old beliefs collided with new info.

Anyway, this boy goes back home with the knowledge that ordinary middle-aged grandmothers carry guns and we aren't freaks or shoot happy. Talk about cognitive dissonance!!

[Grey Bearded One]

It's been my observation that most Europeans view guns as the cause of war and crime. Apparently there was neither before guns were invented.

[cigarmanpa]

whats an illegal gun?

[mingomom]

whats an illegal gun?

Okay, I'll grant you that wasn't the best of descriptors, but you know what I meant - stolen, smuggled, or illegally purchased (straw purchase), etc.

[Grey Bearded One]

whats an illegal gun?

I was going to say that but I didn't want to come off as a jerk.

[mingomom]

I was going to say that but I didn't want to come off as a jerk.

I applaud your restraint.

[redeye202]

You have just disrupted the Borg Collective.

[dj5481]

My roommate for the last 3 years is from China. When he saw my gun for the first time he asked me if I was a criminal lol. When I asked him if he wanted to hold it he asked me if he would get deported for touching a gun. I too explained to him about the gun culture and laws in America and he was very interested. Now shooting is one of his favorite things to do.

[wanneroo]

I have spent plenty of time with Euros over the years and I have noticed an attitude change because many of them are sick of being victimized with few or no rights to defend themselves and an ineffective criminal justice system. Those people of that mindset tell me they feel safer than in Europe.

However there are still plenty of brainwashed idiots and uninformed sheeple in Europe who view Americans as a bunch of psycho gun nuts.

[mingomom]

I have spent plenty of time with Euros over the years and I have noticed an attitude change because many of them are sick of being victimized with few or no rights to defend themselves and an ineffective criminal justice system. Those people of that mindset tell me they feel safer than in Europe.

However there are still plenty of brainwashed idiots and uninformed sheeple in Europe who view Americans as a bunch of psycho gun nuts.

I can't blame a 17 year old who has never heard anything other than what he was told. He was brave enough to ask the question, and listened attentively to the history and reasons I gave. And I know for a fact that there are other host families in this group who are gun owners. The kids are having a very positive experience with American gun owners.