Okay, here's an view from one of those terrible "not a fan of guns" types:
It's likely no secret that I'm not exactly a gun-fan. Yes, feel free to "go figure" all you want. It is what it is.
This is a rocketry forum. We ALL like rockets, yes? Let's talk about them. A lot. Let's share and discuss and show off and learn about and ask question about and post pics/videos of etc. - about rockets.
Sure, lots of other subjects creep in now and then - motorcycles, movies, food, jokes, etc. And that's all well and good to a point. I've seen lots of other topical forums get completely inundated with off-topic subjects to the point where those forums become useless. Thank goodness TRF isn't one of those. I don't mind the odd discussion on topics like those noted above now and then - it's fine in small amounts. Lots of "off-topic" discussions around here involve subjects that I care nothing about myself, and that I even actively dislike on occasion - but the majority of the time it's simply no big deal, and I just ignore it.
But let's not pretend that all off-topic subjects carry the same "weight". Religion and politics are two that most have the good sense enough to recognize as danger zones. There's a reason that those topics are generally and/or specifically restricted. I absolutely guarantee that quite a few of you would be extremely offended by some of the things I might post on these subjects. Which is why I restrain myself from doing so (or at least try to).
Like it or not, but guns are in that same category. If you really believe that guns are "just another hobby" like say cooking, photography, or whatnot, you might need to rethink things. Guns are an EXTREMELY "loaded" topic (pun intended), and there are quite a few "anti-gun" people (with valid viewpoints) that are quite as passionate in their feelings/beliefs/opinions as those of you who truly love the hobby. I honestly doubt you would ever find someone being truly and reasonably offended by someone posting something about photography or stamp collecting. Sorry gun folk, but that is simply the way it is. This is very serious, and invalidating and/or insulting people who don't share your love of guns is ignorant at best - as far as what it is "at worst", I'll refrain from saying so in the interests of keeping things civil.
And we simply don't need a gun sub-forum here. We just don't.
So, gun folk. Please feel free to share your hobby and passion all you want. Post your stories, cool acquisitions, questions and answers, etc. etc., about guns all you want. Indulge to your heart's content. But please do it someplace else beside this ROCKETRY forum. There are countless places for you to go and be with those that share your views. Go there are enjoy yourselves. Let's keep this place about rockets.
please.
s6