My neighbor, Leroy, a very nice retired man, is a hunter. So, he considers himself a "gun owner". And he's pretty far right of center on most things as far as I can tell. But after talking guns a few times it became obvious he's one of those who's of the "why does anyone need one of those damn assault rifles?" types. For a while I just changed the subject when it came up because I really like this man and we enjoy each other's company.
Yesterday, I had a "teachable moment" with him. He had come over to the house to see how the shop had come along. While there he noticed I had a substantial stockpile of .22LR ammo and asked if he could buy a box or two. I gave him 3 boxes (which he later tried to pay me $30 for!). Anyway, I took the opportunity to show him a few of my .22 lever guns. Then I pulled out the .22 AR I have...a standard lower with a CMMG upper on it with an EoTech sight. I could see he was a little uncomfortable holding it so I started explaining how the sight worked, how it could go on most any gun, really easy to hit your target, etc...
"C'mon out in the yard and I'll show you." After I shifted his focus from the "assault rifle" to the sight he was now interested because he doesn't have the best vision any more...like lots of us. I loaded a few rounds into a mag, gave him a quick rundown on how to use it, then let him have it. Well, two boxes of Mini-Mags later he had a huge smile on his face and was just amazed at the ease of use and accuracy of the gun and sight. We talked some more about the .22 and then about ARs in general...why people like them and such. I could see the wheels were turning.
So, he went home and after a bit he called and asked if I'd ever have time to go to town and help him find a rifle like mine. I said I had time right now so off we went. Stopped in to my favorite LGS in Lewiston (Weaponsmart) and talked to the owner. He didn't have exactly what I was looking for but he made Leroy a really good deal on a Walther/Umarex HK416 rifle with some other good stuff to go with it...and free ammo to boot. Now, keep in mind this is a full-blown LE/Mil/Tactical type store with all sorts of sexy EBRs everywhere plus all the tacticool accessories to go with them.
Leroy was like a kid in a candy shop. We got home with his gun, I put an old-but-functional Bushnell red-dot I had collecting dust on his new gun (he had spread some gravel on my drive/parking area last fall and refused any payment so I gave it to him for doing that), went over the function of the gun and some safety stuff and turned him loose.
By the end of the day he was asking me what other calibers they came in and if I'd help him pick one out at some point. He was also fascinated by my Kel-Tec CMR-30 and said he had to have one of those first.
All in all it was a good day. Best of all, Leroy's FUDD days are over.
