Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Free .22 Ammo at Gun Show
Gun Watch ^ | 3 March, 2014 | Dean Weingarten

Posted on 03/03/2014 5:07:16 AM PST by marktwain


As I observed the scarcity of .22 ammunition over the last year, and considered the largess that I had accumulated over the previous decades, I considered what to do with it.   I had more .22 ammunition than I would likely shoot over the course of my remaining life.   I shoot less and write more these days.

I could sell it.  Prices are high.  But, my church has reminded me that generosity is a virtue.  I decided to give some of it away.   The problem is that people do not value what they get for free.   I wasn't willing to give it all to someone else who would just stick it in their storage vault, or sell it so that they could pocket the money.  10 rounds of .22 may not be much ammunition, but there is an enormous difference between having 10 rounds of ammunition, and having no rounds of ammunition.  I also want people to read what I write.  Writers are funny that way. 

So, I went to the Yuma Gun show with a couple of thousand rounds of .22 ammo (mostly Remington), stuck 10 rounds in baggies with a business card, and gave it away to anyone who said that they would look at the Gun Watch blog.

I have a high opinion of people who come to gun shows.  They are a couple of steps up from the general population.  Whether responsible people are attracted to guns, or that guns of necessity tend to help create responsible people, is hard to say.  It is probably a complex positive feedback loop.   I had no way to enforce my informal contract, and I wasn't worried about it. 

Yes, it was a promotional stunt.  And it was free .22 ammunition, and it was fun.  I stopped handing out  ammunition when I ran out  of business cards to give out with it, about 2,500 rounds later. 

I had arranged to sit with the AZCDL (Arizona Citizens Defense League) to assist in bringing more members to AZCDL.  They are the premier second amendment and freedom defenders in Arizona.  They are everything you hoped that the NRA would be in defending your rights, but without the constant fundraising and self promotion.  They are the people who were the most responsible for Arizona going to constitutional carry.  I am a life member.  I think I helped bring in a few memberships.

I was mildly surprised at the number of savvy consumers who shied away from anything with "free" on it.  Still, there were lots of people who agreed to look at Gun Watch and take the ammo when I explained what I was doing.  I warned them that reading my writing was addictive.  I told them that they would keep coming back, again and again, even though there were no naked people or advertisements at the blog.   I told them that what I was doing was similar to giving away free cocaine, that over time, their world view would change, and there was no blue pill to get it back.

On the next table over was a group of Girl Scouts selling girl scout cookies.  Everybody had a great time.


©2014 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
Link to Gun Watch 


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Education; Politics; Society
KEYWORDS: 22; ammunition; banglist; gunshow
It can be surprisingly hard to give things away. American consumers are very wary of "the catch".
1 posted on 03/03/2014 5:07:16 AM PST by marktwain
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: marktwain

And yet they will fall hook line and sinker for ‘free’ stuff from FedGov, that does come with a catch. Take the kings gold, wear the kings collar.


2 posted on 03/03/2014 5:10:27 AM PST by RoadGumby (This is not where I belong, Take this world and give me Jesus.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marktwain

BTTT


3 posted on 03/03/2014 5:11:31 AM PST by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marktwain

am one of those people that does not accept ‘free’ gifts from strangers. There are usually too damn many strings attached. As my Mother told me 60+ years ago,
“Nothing in this world is free.”
As the old tee shirt said.
“Ass or Grass no one rides for free”


4 posted on 03/03/2014 5:15:28 AM PST by Tupelo (I feel more like Philip Nolan every day)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marktwain

5 posted on 03/03/2014 5:15:29 AM PST by JoeProBono (SOME IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED;-{)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marktwain

I, too, have lots of .22 ammo rounds that I credit myself with having the foresight to put away before the current crisis. But I have no particular impulse to give them away.

I do enjoy reading Mr. Weingarten’s writings, though. He writes logically, lucidly and on a topic that interests me.


6 posted on 03/03/2014 5:15:53 AM PST by OldPossum ("It's" is the contraction of "it" and "is"; think about ITS implications.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: OldPossum

I only give mine away the old fashioned way...


7 posted on 03/03/2014 5:27:13 AM PST by Resolute Conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: marktwain

That’s an idea I just might copy. I am developing a line of custom products for gun owners and this might be a great marketing technique for me.


8 posted on 03/03/2014 5:31:31 AM PST by .45 Long Colt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tupelo
As the old tee shirt said.
“Ass or Grass no one rides for free”

I saw one that said "Cash, Grass or Ass...no one rides for free" Just thought it was worth sharing. :)

9 posted on 03/03/2014 5:37:15 AM PST by trussell (I carry because...When seconds count between life and death, the police are only minutes away)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: marktwain

A noble and generous act sir.


10 posted on 03/03/2014 5:40:03 AM PST by InABunkerUnderSF (Explain again, why don't you need to fill out form 4473 to buy a pressure cooker?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Click The Pic To Donate

Support FR, Donate Monthly If You Can

11 posted on 03/03/2014 5:52:53 AM PST by DJ MacWoW (The Fed Gov is not one ring to rule them all)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: marktwain

I’ve been thinking it would be an interesting idea to put .22 ammo into gumball/candy machines, and place them in strategic locations where someone would likely buy them on impulse. Of course, possible theft and keeping them stocked could be a problem. Could also have potential liability issues, depending on the state they would be in.


12 posted on 03/03/2014 5:53:41 AM PST by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Resolute Conservative
"I only give mine away the old fashioned way..."

Like this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rfJy4exPFE

13 posted on 03/03/2014 5:58:52 AM PST by KeyLargo
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: KoRn

14 posted on 03/03/2014 6:22:26 AM PST by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Tupelo
As the old tee shirt said. “Ass or Grass no one rides for free”

I remember it as a 1970s-vintage bumper sticker. Post-'73 fuel crisis, most likely.


15 posted on 03/03/2014 6:40:27 AM PST by Charles Martel (Endeavor to persevere...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: thackney

I want one...


16 posted on 03/03/2014 10:23:56 AM PST by MileHi ( "It's coming down to patriots vs the politicians." - ovrtaxt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: trussell; Tupelo

Well, long as we’re reminiscing, that little piece of free verse poetry first showed up painted onto the side of a hippie van in the ‘60’s. The original quote is:

Gas, Grass or Ass, nobody rides for free.

The other side read:

Don’t laugh, your daughter’s in here.


17 posted on 03/03/2014 12:41:08 PM PST by RobinOfKingston (Democrats--the party of Evil. Republicans--the party of Stupid.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson