Ladies Headcount - Show the world this isn't a "guys only" club!

[knight0334]

We reap what we sow. Why would we want our mothers, daughters, wives, sisters, and girlfriends in a situation where it's likely they're going to have to deal with knuckledragging stupidity when it could be avoided?

Fortunately, we collectively did the right thing and made it clear we have troglodytes in our midst. She, fortunately, did the right thing and pulled the ejection handle before it could happen to her -- something we, as gun owners, should be applauding (fleeing to safe ground if there's trouble brewing so as to avoid an unpleasant situation).

It says something about us, you know, that she left. First, that we realize we have troglodytes in our midst. Second, that we tolerate their presence. Third, that they're pervasive enough that we feel the need to warn young ladies about their presence. Fourth, that we have the communal character to do so. And, finally, Fifth, that we as a community are unwilling to confront the problem in a meaningful way.

I've said it before and I'll say it again -- this is Life 101 stuff. We need to stop tolerating behavior (and, potentially, people) that can't pass even that simple standard.

Unfortunately there have been a number of the ladies that have been propositioned by "eager guys" here. There are a few of our male members that tend to treat this site as a dating website when a lady joins.

One of those poor ladies had complained to me in PM about the harassment and excessive requests for dates in her email and PM box.

[FNG19]

There are a few of our male members that tend to treat this site as a dating website when a lady joins.

This begs the question -- Why are they still here, then? Why are we tolerating that kind of behavior?

[Gun]

Unfortunately there have been a number of the ladies that have been propositioned by "eager guys" here. There are a few of our male members that tend to treat this site as a dating website when a lady joins.

One of those poor ladies had complained to me in PM about the harassment and excessive requests for dates in her email and PM box.

I never thought the need to post a personal pic of one self, male or female. When valorius posted all his pics of his 'angels', it was obvious he wanted the attention (along with the rep) and so did his girls, though I don't believe any were members.

When chemical posted "Here we go ...", it wasn't for a Bud Lite commercial, but more a harbinger of what was going to happen. Some people just don't give a shit about etiquette.

[knight0334]

This begs the question -- Why are they still here, then? Why are we tolerating that kind of behavior?

When they are reported they get a "talking".

We, or I, haven't had those type of complaints in a while. The "offenders" that I've had to deal with promised not to do it again. So far, so good..

[PennsyPlinker]

I've never had a problem other than general misunderstanding of a post or two. I have a thick skin and after raising 2 boys, I heard and seen a LOT! I guess it's just what you are used to.

Or is it because I'm old and unattractive?

I have seen some posts that make me question the age of the author, but personally, I have not had the displeasure of being the target of them.

I've said it before and here it is again. If the future of the 2A lies with the female population, everything that can be done should be done to make the women that are here feel welcome. If they are comfortable, they may invite their friends and we will have a wider base with which to fight.

Kimba, age, physical attractiveness (which is very subjective) or any of those things should not matter. It is a matter of common decency. There are people who post here who think that any woman to whom they are attracted is going to be attracted right back if they engage in lewd behavior. There are people here who think women are deserving of degrading comments. Then there are those of us who believe in treating women with dignity and respect. Yeah, I know there are women out there who are total losers too. But then if they misbehave, the ban hammer works on them as well. Until then they should be treated with respect, as should everyone else. Of course, I am one of those Bible thumping church goers too.

I was sorry to see Emily delete all her posts, but on the other hand, my own wife and daughter no longer read here, much less post. Most of the people here know how to behave, but the ones that don't really make a mess of it from time to time, and despite the delete key, what is done cannot be undone.

[PennsyPlinker]

This begs the question -- Why are they still here, then? Why are we tolerating that kind of behavior?

I will answer this too. We have rules. Those rules constrain the moderators as well as the general population. It would be very satisfying to perma ban someone for engaging in lewd and lascivious behavior, but it doesn't always warrant that. In other words, it would be too easy to become tyrannical, where every infraction warrants the death penalty, especially when it is a case of hormones acting out without the benefit of brain cells. Sometimes that can be modified without having to perma ban someone.

I have had to engage a few who turned out to be genuinely remorseful and mended their ways, and on occasion, a few who have not been. Usually the latter group ends up escalating things until they are gone eventually anyway.

[FNG19]

It would be very satisfying to perma ban someone for engaging in lewd and lascivious behavior, but it doesn't always warrant that.

I'm not suggesting that people be perma-banned for making a random comments that happen to be in poor taste, as everyone makes mistakes. I am suggesting that the repentant deserve a second chance and the unrepentant don't. As we've previously been told, the rules are not a mandate, in the sense that the mods are not obligated to allow someone to go to step 1, then 2, then 3, then 5, then 10 before finally perma-banning them. If someone earns being handed their hat prior to that, then their hat will be handed over.

At the end of the day, we have to decide what kind of community we want to be, and what's acceptable to us. If we're willing to accept a situation bad enough that people feel the need to warn the Emilies of the world about it, that says something about the community we are. If that's who we are, so be it, but we have to own that and the consequences that come with it.

In any case, I've said my piece about this. I'll leave it to the community and the mods to determine if any changes are needed. I welcome other viewpoints.

[animalmother85]

My signature ruffled some panties a quite few pages back...but she got over it.

[soberbyker]

There are a number of posts that depict a sophomoric attitude, and had nothing to do with females. Besides, would any female joining a gun forum be so naive to think all gun toters are bible thumping church goers?

I've made my share of sophomoric posts without a doubt.

I certainly don't doubt any women joining a gun forum should expect that it's a boys club, for the most part. The part of my post you highlighted was that she didn't give us a chance, ran away at the suggestion of what was to come, and sadly that expectation more than likely would have materialized.

I recall a few years ago a fellow member posted photo's of his sister. Lets just say the comments didn't take long to get out of hand.

The flip side, our own glock19girl, she was basically hounded as well, albeit in a more respectful way and she seemed to enjoy the compliments.

I feel bad Emily didn't stick around. I'm sad anytime a gun owner (regardless of gender) is run off for a differing view than the majority too.

Proportionately, we are too small to run off anyone who's on our side. We need everyone we can get to help protect and preserve what's left of our liberties, our freedoms.

[neeternurse]

Hi ... I'm a newbie here, and yes female. I read the first page and when it was posted; a long time ago! I saw that there is 40+ pages of posts for this thread and opted out on reading everything. Sorry to hear that some have left the group. I agree we need everyone we can to uphold our rights.

I bought my first gun a few years ago for "home defense." Then I got my LTCF more than a year ago, but only started CC'ing a few months ago. This is because my sweet hubby got me a sweet gift for Christmas ... Ruger LC9. Now I'm finding my comfort level with different holsters.