I've noticed something about the people on this forum

[USA1]

I've never encountered a group of people who are so willing to help others, civilized, and well versed in their knowledge that they share with others. This is most evident to me when I get the chance to meet them in person, and I've met several.

I see time and time again people generously offering their time and their guns to help new shooters (complete strangers in many cases). I see prayers going to those in times of trouble or hardship. I see new members being welcomed warmly. And the list goes on.

I don't know if this is a shooting enthusiast culture thing or a Texas thing...or a combination of the two.
I'm glad and proud to be a part.

That is all.

[Thomas]

I've never encountered a group of people who are so willing to help others, civilized, and well versed in their knowledge that they share with others. This is most evident to me when I get the chance to meet them in person, and I've met several.

I see time and time again people generously offering their time and their guns to help new shooters (complete strangers in many cases). I see prayers going to those in times of trouble or hardship. I see new members being welcomed warmly. And the list goes on.

I don't know if this is a shooting enthusiast culture thing or a Texas thing...or a combination of the two.
I'm glad and proud to be a part.

That is all.

I think this may explain most of it:
"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." - Robert A. Heinlein

On top of that, I think there is a difference between those who understand the responsibility of holding a CHL and those who just are "wild" about guns.

And of course this being Texas, adds the "cherry on top."

[Ed4032]

And we are humble too. They even named a town after me... yeah, it's called Humble, Texas.

[OldCannon]

And we are humble too. They even named a town after me... yeah, it's called Humble, Texas.

Except we don't pronounce the "H" when you say the town's name. That's how we flush out the non-Texans

[MoJo]

There are only two gun forums that I visit on a daily basis, this one and Stopping Power both have polite courteous members, both have rules that are enforced fairly and evenly, and neither require a Nomex suit to post there. If you haven't checked Stopping power out drop in sometime.
http://www.stoppingpower.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Jumping Frog]

And we are humble too. They even named a town after me... yeah, it's called Humble, Texas.

Except we don't pronounce the "H" when you say the town's name. That's how we flush out the non-Texans

Yeah, I learned that one within 2 weeks of getting here that it was "Umble, TX".

[RPB]

We used to own a house in Burnet, but it was hit by lightning and burned (really), so I believe you may be humble in Humble. I'm thinking, not seriously, of moving to "Priddy" now.

I noticed a similar cordiality with Kayakers, and fishermen enthusiasts, possibly it's the outdoors, or outdoor sports makes people have better sportsmanship, be better sports, freindlier.

[cougartex]

I don't know if this is a shooting enthusiast culture thing or a Texas thing...or a combination of the two.
I'm glad and proud to be a part.

[WildBill]

I've never encountered a group of people who are so willing to help others, civilized, and well versed in their knowledge that they share with others. This is most evident to me when I get the chance to meet them in person, and I've met several.

I see time and time again people generously offering their time and their guns to help new shooters (complete strangers in many cases). I see prayers going to those in times of trouble or hardship. I see new members being welcomed warmly. And the list goes on.

I don't know if this is a shooting enthusiast culture thing or a Texas thing...or a combination of the two.
I'm glad and proud to be a part.
That is all.

USA1 - Thanks for your post. It got me to thinking.

I have also met some forum members in person. Some from the Texas CHL forum day and others from shooting at the ranges or meeting them in classes. You are right, they are good people.

I think that the success of the forum goes beyond an interest in guns and being Texans. I don't want to sound corny, but I think the forum has a real sense of community - that is shared values, purpose and respect. Concealed carry is what brought us here, but the people and their ideas and willinginess to share and educate are what keep us here.

I, too, am amazed at the breath and depth of knowledge of the forum members. There doesn't see to be any subject that some person on the forum doesn't know something about. Not only guns and related subjects, but gardening, cooking, flying, horses, cars, air conditioners, history, politics, construction, rocket motors, photography, computer hardware, programming, etc.

The great knowledge base available on the forum comes from the diversity of members. We have experience levels all the way from novices who have never handled a gun to people who have shot for over fifty years. We have young men and women as well as older men and women - some of them are husbands and wives, grandfathers and grandmothers, fathers and mothers, step fathers and mothers, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters in-law.

We have a broad range of people with various education levels that work or have worked in a great number of different professions - CHL instructors, doctors, EMTs, engineers, firefighters, lawyers, LEOs, pastors, pilots, realtors, truck drivers, students, welders, writers, etc. We have both current and former members of the armed forces. We also have members from many geographical areas, cultures and religious faiths. All of the members have some valuable information to share - and most are willing and do share.

I am also amazed at the amount of response and compassion from the forum members when prayers are asked for themselves, family members, friends and sometimes strangers. In the past, I have asked for prayers and I have given them. I believe that they do work.

As for the Texas thing. I am not a native Texan, but am proud to be one now. Being Texan isn't just a geographical thing - It's a state of mind.

[Jasonw560]

with every thing said.

Also, I think that many CHL holders, and shooters in general have sort of a laid-back attitude. You can't be a nervous type when handling firearms. The easiest type of people to get along with.

I have thought since I have started on this forum. Many of the posts exercise one's brain. Intelligence and humor are two traits I have found most appealing to me. Same reasons I married my wife.

[Beiruty]

I was thinking what if, if we can:
1) Capital raise $1,000,000 consisting of 20 shareholders, each pitching in $50,000
2) Open the coolest gun range and best-service store and Net sale of guns, ammo, etc! (Since we need to keep our customer happy, how about we sell firearms at lowest profitable margin)
3) Best Self-Defense firearm School CHLSchool.
4) Home and office Security Solutions.

We already have a decent customer base.

[carlson1]

USA you are dead on! Joining this Forum was sure one of my greatest decisions ever made. Thanks to Mr. Cotton for creating a supper atmosphere!

[A-R]

I've never encountered a group of people who are so willing to help others, civilized, and well versed in their knowledge that they share with others. This is most evident to me when I get the chance to meet them in person, and I've met several.

I see time and time again people generously offering their time and their guns to help new shooters (complete strangers in many cases). I see prayers going to those in times of trouble or hardship. I see new members being welcomed warmly. And the list goes on.

I don't know if this is a shooting enthusiast culture thing or a Texas thing...or a combination of the two.
I'm glad and proud to be a part.
That is all.

USA1 - Thanks for your post. It got me to thinking.

I have also met some forum members in person. Some from the Texas CHL forum day and others from shooting at the ranges or meeting them in classes. You are right, they are good people.

I think that the success of the forum goes beyond an interest in guns and being Texans. I don't want to sound corny, but I think the forum has a real sense of community - that is shared values, purpose and respect. Concealed carry is what brought us here, but the people and their ideas and willinginess to share and educate are what keep us here.

I, too, am amazed at the breath and depth of knowledge of the forum members. There doesn't see to be any subject that some person on the forum doesn't know something about. Not only guns and related subjects, but gardening, cooking, flying, horses, cars, air conditioners, history, politics, construction, rocket motors, photography, computer hardware, programming, etc.

The great knowledge base available on the forum comes from the diversity of members. We have experience levels all the way from novices who have never handled a gun to people who have shot for over fifty years. We have young men and women as well as older men and women - some of them are husbands and wives, grandfathers and grandmothers, fathers and mothers, step fathers and mothers, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters in-law.

We have a broad range of people with various education levels that work or have worked in a great number of different professions - CHL instructors, doctors, EMTs, engineers, firefighters, lawyers, LEOs, pastors, pilots, realtors, truck drivers, students, welders, writers, etc. We have both current and former members of the armed forces. We also have members from many geographical areas, cultures and religious faiths. All of the members have some valuable information to share - and most are willing and do share.

I am also amazed at the amount of response and compassion from the forum members when prayers are asked for themselves, family members, friends and sometimes strangers. In the past, I have asked for prayers and I have given them. I believe that they do work.

As for the Texas thing. I am not a native Texan, but am proud to be one now. Being Texan isn't just a geographical thing - It's a state of mind.

Great OP from USA1 and wonderful follow up from WildBill. I think y'all covered a lot of what makes this forum great.

If I had to pick one thing to point to that makes this forum different, it's civility. Perhaps this is simply a by product of good people. Perhaps it's an earned, but also given, mutual respect for fellow members. Perhaps the 9-year-old daughter rule really works. Whatever it is, there's very little loud-mouth belly-aching name-calling rubbish in here. And what little is found is quickly and sternly corrected by other members or the mods. Especially when I start to feel "comfortable" in a group, I can regress into being a potty-mouth quite easily, and refraining from certain casual explitives I'd used in other web forums was difficult at first. But as I grow older and wiser I realize how much more pleasant the simple lack of profanity and incivility can be. Beyond that, there just seems to be a concerted effort on everyone's part to disagree without being disagreeable (to steal an old catch phrase used often in the wake of the Tuscon shooting and the calls to "change the tone" in Washington, etc.). Members here seem to go out of their way regularly to say "I understand your point of view, but ..." whereas in plenty of other forums I've read "You're a _ _ _ _!" as the first retort in a disagreement.

As is mentioned above, there are also many very good people here, with a lot of diverse talents, expertise, and experiences. But we all share that mutual respect for one another and I think it shows. I for one greatly appreciate it and have learned a lot from it, from this forum, and from each of you.



And of course, goes without saying that "gun people" are just better people to begin with And Texans are the best people on Earth

Now then, who's buying the next _ _ _ _ing round?!?!?

[cbunt1]

I have to agree. I don't post too often, but check in here almost daily. I've met face-to-face with several members of this forum, both directly and indirectly related to the forum. All are wonderful.

I participate in several other gun boards, and they run to all extremes and in-between...the specialty forums probably being the least argumentative and most willing to participate in the knowledge sharing (castboolits comes to mind).

BUT without a doubt, this forum has consistently the best folks, best discussion (rather than argument) and the most diverse group of people with the widest knowledge base.

I consider y'all my extended family.