Appleseed brainstorming

[METALHEAD]

Ill start this with "this is probably the wine talking but here goes"
Many of you know I'm a big fan of Appleseed. As much as I love to go shoot it and hang out with other Long Island shooters, it's purpose is bigger and underutilized. I brought 2 new shooters to the last event, and one new shooter to the even prior but it's not enough. It's preaching to the quior.

With all the anti gun chatter after the Miami shooting, I get tired of defending gun ownership. It's exhausting work. It made me wish I could just take everyone I have to try to defunk from the liberal propaganda to an Appleseed event. They could shoot, understand why we won't let go of 2a and perhaps get real perspective of what it means to be American.
Appleseed can play a big part in cleaning up the perspective of America but it needs to change a little. Hear me out.

What's a great way to get to the sheeple without them knowing it? Corporate team/leadership activities. (Do companies still do this?) They think they are going out to shoot guns and hone their soft skills and in the end they learn why gun ownership is the heart of being an American all while building on cooperate goal/ productivity bullshit.
What if Appleseed had enough rifles and ammo to lend to 20 something libs, teach them to shoot and give them a history lesson at the same time? I'd donate time and ammo for that cause.

What if Appleseed opened a new division (if you will) to counteract all the NY post anti NRA propaganda we have to deal with daily by selling themselves to businesses for leadership conferences?
I'm seeing a clear sales pitch. Develop determination, skill, stamina and teamwork skills all behind the iron sights of a highly accurate high powered squirrel murdering 22lr.

Invent a few team activities like one shooter one to load mags, in a timed race of accuracy, toss in the three strikes (shortened version- sorry nick), powder alarms and a little bit of assault weapon myth debunking, condense it to a one day activity and you have grassroots movement.
I know I would love to get my co workers out on the range and have this conversation while they have guns in their hands and a big shit eating grin on their face but we all know how fast an Appleseed sells out.

[mattyj513]

A more effective technique would be getting 20 liberals in one place and then beating sense into them like their parents obviously never did. Then beating up their parents and making them watch.

[TTSkipper]

Ill start this with "this is probably the wine talking but here goes"
Many of you know I'm a big fan of Appleseed. As much as I love to go shoot it and hang out with other Long Island shooters, it's purpose is bigger and underutilized. I brought 2 new shooters to the last event, and one new shooter to the even prior but it's not enough. It's preaching to the quior.

With all the anti gun chatter after the Miami shooting, I get tired of defending gun ownership. It's exhausting work. It made me wish I could just take everyone I have to try to defunk from the liberal propaganda to an Appleseed event. They could shoot, understand why we won't let go of 2a and perhaps get real perspective of what it means to be American.
Appleseed can play a big part in cleaning up the perspective of America but it needs to change a little. Hear me out.

What's a great way to get to the sheeple without them knowing it? Corporate team/leadership activities. (Do companies still do this?) They think they are going out to shoot guns and hone their soft skills and in the end they learn why gun ownership is the heart of being an American all while building on cooperate goal/ productivity bullshit.
What if Appleseed had enough rifles and ammo to lend to 20 something libs, teach them to shoot and give them a history lesson at the same time? I'd donate time and ammo for that cause.

What if Appleseed opened a new division (if you will) to counteract all the NY post anti NRA propaganda we have to deal with daily by selling themselves to businesses for leadership conferences?
I'm seeing a clear sales pitch. Develop determination, skill, stamina and teamwork skills all behind the iron sights of a highly accurate high powered squirrel murdering 22lr.

Invent a few team activities like one shooter one to load mags, in a timed race of accuracy, toss in the three strikes (shortened version- sorry nick), powder alarms and a little bit of assault weapon myth debunking, condense it to a one day activity and you have grassroots movement.
I know I would love to get my co workers out on the range and have this conversation while they have guns in their hands and a big shit eating grin on their face but we all know how fast an Appleseed sells out.

It is funny you mention it, I had a similar thought today. I work in a small office in NYC, only about 25 people and for the most part they are the stereotypical NYC lib, they all know that I shoot. Today one of the women we work with said hey what do you think about the filibuster. I said I was sorry the guy wasted 15 hours of his life and missed pizza dinner with his wife and kids which would have been time better spent. This brought about a larger discussion about guns with one of the guys saying he was going to stay on my side because he knows I would be armed. When I explained that I wasn't armed because NYC allows only the rich and famous to carry we got into a discussion about NYC vs. NY State vs what other states have for carry laws as well as what it takes to buy a gun in a gun shop. The discussion was actually very friendly and some of them sounded like they were interested. I am going to ask tomorrow and I may try and plan an after work night at the West Side pistol range, but after looking at their requirements http://westsidepistolrange.com/rifle-class-signup/, I may just try and get the people to come out to LI and I will take them to Mitchel Field.

[Grifhunter]

Whether it is through Appleseed, a formal program or just friends bringing curious friends to shoot, the only chance we have to preserve the 2nd Amendment is to grow the gun culture. Doing nothing means we die out in about 30 years, as the Greatest Generation, the Viet Vets, and the boomers recede from the scene. We are being replaced by immigrants with no gun traditions, metrosexuals and hipsters.

[DrBrianDDS]

Maybe we can have a special range night at Mitchel field. Bring a non shooter. I would do that and wouldn't mind if I didn't even shoot that night. For an out east location, have to look into the possibilities.

[LazyLab]

I would gladly show a liberal next to me what a butt of a gun can be used for.

[VietVet]

Great ideas here and it brings a smile to my face to hear others are feeling that in their opinion Project Appleseed would play a huge part in getting that message out.
Problem is most everything suggested here has already been tried. Anyone who has ever attended an Appleseed knows we try so hard to motivate those who attend to go home and help us spread the word.
The "Mission" of Project Appleseed is NOT to hand out those Rifleman Patches. It's to attempt to "Wake up the sleeping American". Have them come to an event hear the "Message" and return home and tell others what they've learned. Unfortunately the "Message" most spread is about that Rifleman Patch. The majority who attend seem to leave out the History , the "Message". Most return home and if they've shot the score and got their "Patch" that's what they talk about.
The shooting at an Appleseed event is what we call the "Hook". That's what attracts the Shooter to an event. If we announced that we were going to run an event that only covered the History portion the number attending would dramatically be reduced. We actually do these event. They're called "Libertyseeds". In some areas of the Country they do draw a decent number of attendees but not as many as a "Shooting Appleseed" would.

We've offered organizations the opportunity to have an event for their employees, members. The Boy Scouts, Veteran Orgs, Corporations, Home Schooling Groups, etc. All have been offered. Some have accepted, most have declined.


Again, great ideas. If anyone could get any group together who are interested in attending an Appleseed just let me know. I'd gladly set up an event.

However, just the fact that this thread is posted here shows some have got the "Message" and are thinking.

Please keep thinking. Time is running out!

If we don't succeed we're going to lose what we have.

If our Forefathers didn't stand up this Country wouldn't exist.

Paul Revere's ride would have looked like this.......................

[Mikey Ravioli]

I think some targeted new shooter range nights would be great to advance this cause. On the other forum I helped out on their Women on Target last year. There were 30+ women of all ages and backgrounds who came out to shoot and learn. I know you guys are going to laugh when I say this but I have been thinking about how to reach out to the Long Island gay community and try to do something similar with them. I think we could even get some News 12 coverage if we did a Mitchell Field range night where LIGC invited gays who after Orlando are interested in learning about guns and defending themselves. It would help break the stigma of the typical gun owner and show us as compassionate rather than "gun nuts". Maybe a youth shoot using 10/22's at Brookhaven. At the end of the day there are only so many middle age white guys we can drag out. If we want to grow our ranks I think we need to reach out beyond our comfort zone.

[SteveT]

.... They're called "Libertyseeds....

+1 for Libertyseed. Never heard of this. I'll have to check it out.

[SteveT]

My wife and kids (2a ambivalent) would enjoy a "mini-appleseed", as would my neighbors. (air rifles or bb's? for kids) They WOULDN'T enjoy a full 1 or 2 day event, so I cannot recommend it to them. I think people have to be fairly pro 2a already to dedicate that time..... which is what brings them to Appleseed. (Happy to be wrong here, just my first impression).

If the goal is to bring new people in..... maybe a morning event, perhaps three 15 minute history lessons (spaced out, and very concise, kid friendly) and some fun "shoot the tin-can enemy" group games would keep my wife and kids entertained..... and most importantly, that 45 minute of history is allowed to sink in - in the context of a fun shooting experience. Event provides everything..... equipment, ammo, paperwork, stickers.

Kids leave with a "I'm an Appleseed-ling, with a score of X.... " certificate kinda thing, they can pin on the wall. I know, not quite Lexington Green, but a positive and lasting re-enforcement that history is fun, shooting is fun - and important to protect our rights.

Give kids a good experience and the word will spread, and other adults (maybe) will want to bring their kids along.... esp over the summer break.

OK, I haven't figured it all out..... but you get the gist.

I'd volunteer to help out.

[SteveT]

It is funny you mention it, I had a similar thought today. I work in a small office in NYC....

(I think) One of the things that unites many New York'ers today, literally, look at the news..... is this:

We're constantly reminded of the terrorist threats. Whether we like it or not, terrorism is working for the enemy, we're being disrupted. I doubt a single American doesn't have a fundament problem with actively learning how to "dealing with this immediate threat of terrorism", by learning skills that protecting the family, preserving our "Liberty", with a mix of lessons from the past (Lexington) and present.

Any educational organization who doesn't capitalize on a market that "wants to actively deal with a problem" is missing a bre-baked market.
I just don't think enough people know about Appleseed, and those that are told about it don't want to commit 1 or 2 days.
Look at the vast numbers of semi-survival / prepping / primative skills tv shows on the major broadcast and lesser cable network channels.
Being able to adapter and overcome in adverse conditions is appealing enough, that TV companies are falling over themselves to make TV shows.

Its hard, but it feels like the market is primed for "a variation of Appleseed" to have a positive impact.

I dunno, I feel like I'm starting to rant. Enough for now.

[Mikey Ravioli]

I attended my first Appleseed this spring and loved it. One of the reasons it took so long for me to go was the time commitment. I know for the guys who run the show its even a greater commitment so I am not complaining. But its hard to dedicate a whole weekend when you have other commitments. In hind sight there is no way I would have gotten as much out of the event as I did if it was any shorter but maybe changing the expectation could lead to a shorter event specifically geared toward new shooters and people who need a wake up call. Remove the qualification and make it more of an introduction. If they take to a single day or even a half day event then they can always sign up for the "full package" later.

I know I would volunteer to help even if I an not a qualified RSO.

[E]

We need some one day events

[ChiefSailer]

Or why don't we just make the whole event a video game so people can start in the safety of their living rooms and be cozy comfy on their leather couches? SMDH. Really people need to get a grip and suck it up. It's only two days. Really a day and a half. Your forefathers are rolling over in their graves right now listening to some of these posts.

[Mikey Ravioli]

For us, people who are active in shooting sports, sure. I wouldn't go to a 1 day event now having been to the two day. We aren't talking about for us. The idea is to spread the word and get people who otherwise would not attend involved. Corporations, groups, associations etc. Plus the 2 day events sell out in less than 2 hours so how would a new shooter or a group even grab a ticket?

For those who are casually interested or curious 2 days is a big commitment. Would you give 2 days (or a day and a half) to something you were interested in but not sure you would enjoy? I probably wouldn't.

If you did a one day event and found you did like it, would you then be likely to sign up for the 2 day? Get them in the door - then get them hooked. If you did corporate or association 1 day events for 100 people I am willing to bet you get at least 60 people who would want to sign up for the next 2 day event.

[ChiefSailer]

If you want to get them interested then an Appleseed event (in my opinion) is not the correct forum. Something else. But not Appleseed. Btw some Appleseed events in other areas of the country are several days to a week long and everyone camps out fit those days.

[spider]

I've been inviting a lot of anti's to the range. No takers yet, but I still send the invites.