Gun show in Sacramento

[Antibubba]

I just found out that McManns Roadrunner gunshow will be at Call Expo March 7 & 8.  Who would I call to get a table donated for RWVA?

[V]

That would be me.

BaldDragn is planning to cover Cal Expo so you may want to liase with him. I just got out of the McMann Ventura show today, another McMann Roadrunner show, so we already have a good relationship with them.

PM's inbound.

This is how we've been organizing gun shows California wise up to now.

Cheers
V

[BaldDragn]

PMs Sent

Antibubba, I have everything we need except an M-1 Garand, if you could wrangle that up I think I can convince Jules to bring hamatashen . If not I think I can lay my hands on one.

I plan on being available for both days but I'd be happy to have any help I can get at the table.

I'm still hoping to find someone (anyone?) that can cover the Stockton gun show so I can make the Fresno AS for another chance to finish up the AQT.

[eaglescouter]

Gun show in Red Bluff the weekend of March 7.  Anybody up to covering the North State?

[Antibubba]

Everything north of Sacramento is completely unSeeded. 

BTW, BD, are you bringing any "No Redcoats" stickers?  Mine seems to have disappeared in the rain, right off the back window!      We're not skipping a step in the printing process, are we?

[BaldDragn]

No redcoats  but you may be able to get them from RifleWoman.

[V]

No redcoats  but you may be able to get them from RifleWoman.

No you order them directly yourself from indyjoe

He sells them in packs of 75 for $25 for people to either sell at AS events or give away as promotions which is what I do. See the above link for ordering info.

Mine have been on the back of my truck since before Sac in Jan and are going strong... Sure you cleaned the glass before applying?

If you just want a replacement PM me your contact info and I'll mail you a few.

Cheers
V

[Antibubba]

Sure you cleaned the glass before applying?

Sure did.  The only other option is that someone peeled it off, but that would've left a mess.  There was a clean square of glass where there once was a sticker.

[Antibubba]

Well, I just got home from the gun show at Cal Expo, and I'd have to call our efforts today a success.  Balddragn, his wife, and I were at the table, and I feel like I talked to hundreds of people today (bring throat lozenges).  Talk about crowded!  There was a line 100 yards long at the door when the show started.  In fact, I had to run out after a few hours to print more fliers!     Folks, there are a lot of people out there who have heard of Appleseed, even if they don't know exactly what is involved.   When they left, they knew.  Having 3 people there was a blessing.

There are a lot of new gun owners out there; I don't say new "shooters" because a so many seem to have never even fired a rifle or pistol before.  Some of this is panic buying--they fear they'll lose the right even before they've used it.  Remember the frenzy after Y2K?  When nothing happened, those guns sat in the closet, or were re-sold.  We have a window of opportunity, RIGHT NOW, with Appleseed.  We spoke to men, women, and children; from those who already shoot there was approval, but from the new gun owners there was relief, a gratitude for an avenue that will teach basic rifle handling, that welcomes women and children--and proves it by admitting them for FREE  .  If today was any measure, Americans are hungry, and Appleseed can be the hearty meal they've been seeking.

Brings a whole new meaning to "serving" our country, doesn't it?     

[Fred]

...from the new gun owners there was relief, a gratitude for an avenue that will teach basic rifle handling, that welcomes women and children--and proves it by admitting them for FREE  .  If today was any measure, Americans are hungry, and Appleseed can be the hearty meal they've been seeking.

    One day those words may be above the door to the "California Ignites Appleseed!" room at the new Appleseed museum on the Mall in DC...

    Let's work those gunshows - and the opportunity! - hard.

     

[Antibubba]

Sunday's show was a little less busy, but the connections we made were as strong as those on Saturday.  Lots of families; I'm happy to report that a lot of children are already learning about gun safety from their parents, and there is an eagerness for Appleseed instruction.  But of all those I spoke to this weekend, the the ones who brought it home for me were the men over 60.  These men (and many of the women, too) remember when a kid on a bike with his single shot .22 or a BB gun was an everyday occurrence, not a reason to call the SWAT team.  These men and women truly GOT the message, and I hope that some of them will sign up, and will bring the grandkids.

But we still have a long way to go.  There were so long time shooters at the show who already knew everything, and who could not possibly be taught anything new.

[Fred]

There were some long time shooters at the show who already knew everything, and who could not possibly be taught anything new.

    Those, you try and work the angle of "teaching their skills to others" - most of them are getting up in age, and most of them pay lip service, at least, to the notion/obligation of "passing the tradition on."

     I'd rub their nose in it. They'll even step up or run away, and the latter are no loss to anyone...

[Nickle]

Texas Challenge time for those "long time" shooters.

[BaldDragn]

There were some long time shooters at the show who already knew everything, and who could not possibly be taught anything new.

    Those, you try and work the angle of "teaching their skills to others" - most of them are getting up in age, and most of them pay lip service, at least, to the notion/obligation of "passing the tradition on."

     I'd rub their nose in it. They'll even step up or run away, and the latter are no loss to anyone...

Don't think we didn't!

At my first gun show (Turlock) I was more up for making friends than making a point. This time the only people that walked away with a warm fuzzy were those that were heading right home to sign up.

When one guy told me he already IS a rifle instructor teaching people how to shoot, I asked him how many instructors he had trained!?! Of course I did it with my best smile . He got the point but he had no answer. That question will be one of my standard tools to handle the terminally cool instructors I run across from now on.

Plenty of "I'm to busy" retired left with a "guilt and duty" burden to ponder till the next time we meet. Again with my best smile .

As always plenty of guys went home trying to explain to their wives and/or children why he won't take them to a FREE shoot... 

Antibubba had a great idea and placed Mini-fliers all around the buildings housing the gun show and regular fliers on the empty tables behind us. It made it easier to get to the meat of the idea of Appleseed when people had a little primer from reading the message first.

Stockton gun show is next week, I'll have it all set up so any Appleseeders that want to come out and join me are welcome, I could use the help. I've found that the proverbial three man team works well for us. That way one of us can talk to the gabby person that wants to tell us all about their war stories, and as long as we have a visitor at the table other people are more likely to step up and see what it's all about (herd mentality).

This will be our last gun show in the area before the Sacramento Appleseed. The So Cal guys and gals are making a long trip to come up and host this for us. Let's make every effort to make it worth their time and sell this one out!

[Fred]

      All good stuff, BD. Appleseeding at its best, and doing a good job at it.

      We have to be a little pushy about getting the message out - like getting that first date, sometime persistence - even to the point of aggravation - is key. 

Antibubba had a great idea and placed Mini-fliers all around the buildings housing the gun show and regular fliers on the empty tables behind us. It made it easier to get to the meat of the idea of Appleseed when people had a little primer from reading the message first.

    Plus "1" to AB - again, for getting out and "pushing" the program, this time by putting flyers so many places it would be hard to overlook them.

    Wonder how many people missed good bargains because they were trying to keep their eyes closed so all the guilt from ignoring those Appleseed flyers didn't overwhelm them...

[Antibubba]

Wonder how many people missed good bargains because they were trying to keep their eyes closed so all the guilt from ignoring those Appleseed flyers didn't overwhelm them...

There weren't any good bargains, Fred, just too few overpriced guns surrounded by tables filled with crap non-gun stuff.  People in California are amazed to learn that in other states, you can walk in to a gun show and walk out with a gun, just like that! 

The mini-fliers BD mentioned were the folding business cards, and for people in a hurry, they were a big hit.  I've got to order a bunch...

Oh, and I've got some pictures! 

[MrBill]

Thanks BD & AB or whoever came up with the table mount idea for the banner.

Doh! I had several other less worthy ideas, but yours looks like a winner there.  The only thing I would add is possibly a larger wood base to clamp to the table (under the flange that you used)

What diameter PVC is that?  1" or larger?

BTW, Gun Porn (M1a, LTR, other rifles, etc) on the table is an absolute must.  Having done shows with and without, there is no comparison

Cheers

Bill

[Antibubba]

That's BD's work--you'll have to ask him.  The clamps look precarious, but it was quite solid both days.

BTW, Gun Porn (M1a, LTR, other rifles, etc) on the table is an absolute must.

Gun porn is pictures.  BD brought 3 10/22s, 2 scoped, with one a Junior-size (for Mrs. BD), and another with the TechSights in classic LTR.

And I did forget to mention the impact that Mrs. BD had when she was there (she had other commitments that weekend).  It really helped bring home the family emphasis of AS.  She told many people about her first shoot here in January, and how she agreed to be dragged along by BD.  And then of her excitement on Sunday when all that hard work paid off and she was on the paper.  The kicker was when she then told everyone that the petite 10/22 was what she wanted as an anniversary gift!!

She was very effective at selling Appleseed.   

[BaldDragn]

Thanks BD & AB or whoever came up with the table mount idea for the banner.

Doh! I had several other less worthy ideas, but yours looks like a winner there.  The only thing I would add is possibly a larger wood base to clamp to the table (under the flange that you used)

What diameter PVC is that?  1" or larger?

BTW, Gun Porn (M1a, LTR, other rifles, etc) on the table is an absolute must.  Having done shows with and without, there is no comparison

Cheers

Bill

A base under each foot is a worthy idea.

The PVC is 1" as you correctly guessed. The bungee cords that secure the sign also hold the whole thing together up top, and I use a couple longer bungees to anchor the legs to the opposite side of the table, it seems to help stabilize it, and they double as bindings for the whole thing after it is broken down.

Don't tell Fred but I don't own an M-1 and the AR-15 doesn't seem to send the same message, but I do borrow M-1s for display when I can. In the meanwhile I display the three 10-22s owned by me and the misses. It's funny how some people think we only allow surplus military rifles and other people think we are strictly rimfire shooters.

Also, Antibubba's point about having a lady at the table is priceless. I've never done a show without guns on the table but having done shows with Jules there, and without, I can vouch for the fact that it really changes people's point of view when they see a woman behind the table.

[MrBill]

Couldn't agree more with the benefits of having a lady at the table.  Both women and children are so much more receptive to talking to a lady instructor/volunteer, and even more receptive to talking to the men at the table when there is a lady present.

It definitely takes the edge off and helps us look like the family friendly program that we are, not a bunch of puff chest wanna be drill sergeants.

Cheers

Bill