Summary

In this episode of the Whiskey, Lead, and Steel podcast, the hosts discuss the importance of community and outreach in action shooting sports. They explore ways to grow the community, emphasizing the significance of engaging new shooters, fostering a supportive environment, and making action shooting more accessible. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by local gun shops and the necessity for these shops to serve as community hubs. The hosts highlight the role of outreach programs and events, such as those organized by Women With Weapons (W3), in introducing new people to the sport and dispelling negative stereotypes about gun owners.
Analogy

Imagine the action shooting sports community as a bustling farmer's market. Each stand represents different aspects of the sport, from local gun shops to shooting matches. To keep the market thriving, vendors (enthusiasts) must attract new customers (shooters) by offering samples (outreach programs) and engaging storytelling (community events). Just as a farmer's market needs fresh produce and friendly faces to grow, the shooting sports community needs outreach and supportive engagement to flourish.

Notes

• 🎯 Action Shooting Community: Small, close-knit, and in need of better self-support mechanisms.


• 🤝 Outreach Importance: Essential for growth and preventing the community from becoming an echo chamber.


• 📅 Event Participation: Encouraging participation through platforms like PractiScore to streamline match schedules.


• 💬 Communication: Avoid constant texting for event info; utilize scheduled platforms and show up.


• 🏆 Training and Matches: Emphasizing training and participation in local matches to keep skills sharp and engage newcomers.


• 🌟 Non-traditional Shooters: Welcoming new gun owners and those unfamiliar with action shooting.


• 🛠️ Support Local Gun Shops: Viewing them as community hubs rather than just retail spaces.


• 💡 Community Engagement: Creating online groups (Discord, Slack) for continuous engagement outside of matches.


• 🔄 Sustaining Interest: Addressing the challenge of keeping long-term shooters engaged despite life’s demands.


• 🌐 Positive Image: Combatting negative stereotypes by showcasing responsible gun ownership through community events.

• Outreach: Activities aimed at bringing new people into the shooting sports community.


• PractiScore: A platform used to schedule and manage shooting matches.


• Action Shooting: A type of shooting sport focused on dynamic courses and scenarios.


• Echo Chamber: A situation where people are only exposed to opinions that reinforce their own.


• Guerrilla Capitalism: Supporting businesses that support the shooting sports community.


• COVID: Highlighted the surge in gun ownership for personal safety.


• Juneteenth Shooting Program: An example of an outreach event to introduce people to shooting sports.


• Women With Weapons (W3): A group aimed at introducing women to shooting sports.