What do you get out of NorthwestFirearms forum?

[Cogs]

I'll tell you what I got… I got a life! In other words, it has changed my life! (Perhaps I could rephrase that to read: The people on this NWFA forum have changed my life!)

I now have a focus and direction I never would have conceived a few years back.

When I joined, in 2012, I had been away from gun ownership for 40 years. I hadn't given it much thought during that time, but always remembered the fun days of plinking varmints, coyotes, and game hunting as a kid. My focus was on climbing the corporate ladder, raising a family, playing golf and going fishing.

One day, my youngest son asked to go deer hunting and it rekindled those special memories of hunting with my dad and brothers. So, I joined NWFA to refresh my memory on hunting techniques, where to go around my area and if Black Tail are any different to hunt than Mule Deer.

I started hearing from people who were welcoming, courteous, helpful, and encouraging. I liked it here and felt very comfortable communicating with total strangers because I sensed a brotherhood of mutual love and respect for the second amendment and these people were just darn nice to me. Little did I know, my life would soon begin to take on a new focus and direction.

Many of you know what direction I have gone and what my focus has become, but for those who don't, let me tell you the who, what, and why of it.

I took my son out to a public forest to teach him how to use a rifle for hunting. We got out of the truck and were both in shock from the volume of trash at a target shooting site in the forest. IN THE FOREST! What the heck? It was a real eye opener for me. I was expecting something more like my childhood memories of shooting on our own ranch. We never took trash out on our ranch, shot it up and then left it there! I expected a clean place to shoot, just like nature should be… natural!

I posted my frustration on NorthwestFirearms and promptly received lots of replies of mutual feelings. I started to get a sense that this stuff is happening in all forests throughout Oregon and Washington. I wanted to do something about it and decided perhaps I could do a little something in my own back yard.

I shot an email off to the forest agency managing the forest I was in and asked them; if I could get a few of us hunters and gun owners together to clean it up, could they help with the disposal cost? They were super excited and responded with a positive YES! Beyond that, they will supply the trash bags, gloves and provide insurance for anyone if an injury happened. I posted this news to the NWFA forum and said let's get together and go do this! The response was awesome!

My first cleanup was so much fun! We had 35 people attend, cleaned up about 4 shooting sites and when we were done, everyone brought out their toys and we blew the place apart! Of course, we had to do a second cleanup of our own mess, but, it was so much fun we all wanted to do it again.

And so it began. Cleanup after cleanup, lots of volunteers meeting and greeting, sharing and enjoying each other's company. And the group shoots were always a blast!

One day, the owner of NWFA, @Joe Link , asked me if I would consider becoming the Volunteer Coordinator for NWFA. I almost turned it down because I was no authority and was a bit shy, but thought, okay why not! It shouldn't be much more than what I'm already doing! (The direction of my life was becoming a little more focused now. Thanks Joe!)

After a couple years, it became apparent to me that this effort, encouraging responsible target shooting on public lands, could, and should, be a bigger deal. I wanted to reach out to more gun owners and public land shooters all over the Northwest. This forum is a perfect platform for that, however, it was missing an important element that was needed to move the cause to the next level… An independent non-profit C-3 organization to qualify for grants, open doors with forest management agencies and gain corporate support through donations. I felt it could forward the cause for positive change.

So, I started Trash No Land, a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization focused on the goals of promoting responsible shooting on public lands and saving our good places to shoot.

Since then, the members of this forum have been my primary source of motivation and encouragement, as well as, my biggest volunteers! I have met many great people here who give their time, resources, thoughts, ideas and fellowship! I really look forward to renewing those acquaintances and making new ones along the way. (I have also had the unique opportunity to shoot so many guns I will never be able to own in my lifetime! From Full Auto to 50 cals! It's been awesome!)

So my life has changed because of this forum and the members of NorthwestFirearms! There's no better family than the gun owner family who live here and I'm thankful for that. Thank you for giving me encouragement to pursue a passion you helped to develop!

Note: The Trash No Land organization is not affiliated with NorthwestFirearms. I am only a member here who started a separate non-profit. I appreciate the opportunity to communicate on this forum and value it as an integral part of furthering the cause for improving the shooting sports on public lands.

I'm sure this forum has touched most of us in one way or another. Perhaps you could share your experience of what you have gained from this forum?

Bill

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[Stomper]

I've met and made some of the best personal friends I've ever had (BTW- that's no small feat), who share my general values and get my sense of humor... all because of this website.

Thanks @Joe Link !!

 

[Howard1955]

I've learned a lot from the people here.

Spending as much time as I do stuck in a recliner (back pain), I tend to poke around on the Worldwide Web. NWFA has helped me while away some time, and spend some money, too.

I've bought and sold several firearms here, and met some fine people in the process. Thanks, all.

 

[Sixsa]

I've had the pleasure of connecting with a lot of local people and groups who otherwise would have been hidden away. I think that's priceless in itself. Trying to form and assemble on different social medias is really difficult considering that you won't find things the same way as here, or as easily. I think that the classified sections is also more trustworthy than something like armslist!

 

[arakboss]

Northwest Firearms has become my go to site for internet usage. I have met and conversed with tons of great people from this site, some who share my values and some who don't. I believe most all them appreciate the ability NWFA has given them to share their values and views in a open way. This forum, as is, provides an increasingly rare opportunity for conversations around firearms, including the politics that are not easily facilitated elsewhere. The internet is becoming an unfriendly place for those who enjoy discussing the areas around the politics and freedom of owning firearms. I hope that opportunity continues to exist here on NWFA.

P.S. I have also gained much knowledge from members here. Who knew you could eat so well on $20 a week?

 

[BrandonOR]

So much knowledge, when I first joined I had never even shot a firearm once. I went from there to taking a pistol class, buying a 22, then a shotgun. Got into hunting, constantly gaining knowledge from the forums here.

Now I own multiple guns and have joined a range I visit at least once a week and participate in shooting events.

I have also.been able to pass this knowledge of safety and responsibilities with firearms on to my daughter who is enthralled with shooting steel and is excited to join her first event.

This forum has been more than just a resource on the internet because I can find both like minded people and people with differing opinions. Not having an echo chamber of the same responses has allowed me to truly broaden my thinking and I've come to change my logic in different circumstances and I that has expanded my awareness as well.

Love this place. Met a few people here, wouldn't mind meeting a few more.

I could continue to go on because that's how much this forum has provided to me and I know I'm not accessing it as often or efficiently as others. So I can only imagine all the good this site has done overall

 

[American123]

News, knowledge, good discussion and entertainment can be found here, heck, you could even buy a gun or two despite WA really making that less convenient in the last two initiatives. I also get to represent the small faction of people living in Seattle who could be described as "very passionate" about the rights Americans have that have been endowed by our creator, certain inalienable rights, to be specific.

 

[Superglide]

I get ideas and inspirations. I get advice and acknowledgement.
Thanks to the OP I have become fervent about not walking away from trash in the woods and carry bags to deal with it. I have found mentors, friends and some truly fine folks here. This place is truly unique in the online world and is the only place I log into.
I believe it's special.

 

[BillGabby1]

Attention @JoeLink, this is the sort of thing that makes this forum so valuable!
Keep it up,
Gabby

 

[HaveGun]

Inspiring post, OP! Thanks for sharing! I find myself surrounded by people at work who are a generation younger and mostly don't share my ideals. Working 12hr shifts, graveyard, and weekends, means little opportunity to converse with like-minded folks my own age. NWFA offers that opportunity. Though I've never met anyone here due to my being on the other side of the state, and the aforementioned work schedule, there are plenty here I would love to have a beer with.

 

[nammac]

Many great sentiments, many I share.

First and foremost Great firearms discussions, knowledge and sharing. I've learned much since I joined here and have branched out to build my own AR. I've learned there's lots of folks here with similar experiences and met many in person. I've been able to develop friendships with many who are like minded and even share a common sense of humor.

We've prayed for each other, mourned those who we've lost and have reached out to those in need, providing help, raising funds and doing work. These things make this unlike many online firearms communities out there. We're a diverse community that often discusses current events and mingles in politics. We get heated in our discussions and even moderate each other at times to keep things on tract.

This is a unique community, that I found several years ago when researching a particular firearm. Started reading posts, became interested, got to know some of the regulars, and have developed friendships. We have much to be thankful for here, a huge Thank You goes out to @Joe Link and all of the Mods. We know it's tough to keep this group inline, but it's well worth it, at least I feel it is.

Thank you for making this the greatest firearms forum on the inter webs, we're one happy, sick humored, dysfunctional gun owning family...

 

[StacattoP]

@joelink like many others on this fourm you have changed our life's in many ways. Met so many good people some of my best friends.Changed my personal life I love to tell people about this site! Ive learned that my word is my bond and I take it seriously. So many good people are gathered here and I'm definitely sad to see the way it may go! Thanks Joe for all you're hard work it's not unnoticed!

 

[GWS]

NWFA became the primary resource pn all things firearm for me as a recent transplant from California, I learned about local shops and ranges as well as the laws in my new home.
I've had big laughs, great discussions and fun arguments. I enjoy being here.

 

[ScaldingCookies]

Classifieds have been good to me. Otherwise, I exclusively use /r/liberalgunowners and /r/socialistra for gun discussion, but they're national forums. The recent notification from @joelink convinced me to cautiously poke my head in though, so hopefully I can get something out of a more local forum too.

 

[Free_Patriot]

I'm a bit new to the site but no stranger to 2A forums. I very much appreciate connecting with like-minded gun owners in a variety of ways. I see NWFA as a family with mutual interests and concerns as it pertains to our freedoms and rights in the 2A realm, particularly in times like these. We are BLESSED to be able to gather and communicate in such a way!

 

[1371JarHead]

It has helped me in learning far more about my rifles and ammo then in most other boards I belong to. This is the most civil and understanding group of guys ( the past few months not withstanding)on the interwebbs,its fine with me if my ballz get busted every once in a while, heck I even like it.

 

[STEELE]

For the most part I find good people and good information and it's not just about firearms. Please keep going!!!!!

 

[Tarawa86]

I mean, at least it's not ifish?

Joking, of course. NWFA is the only forum I interact with outside of r/ccw generally.

 

[spider]

Knowledge, history, research, sales and a good time. Been with NWFA since its beginning, maybe I was a month or two shy but I have always been around.
The internet is a interesting place, and to meet people who match their online personality is rarer than bigfoot teeth. But the 50-150 users I met here have been very nice people.

The rest, are just keyboard cowboys.

 

[cigars]

My hard and fast rule has always been, "never join any club that would have me as a member"(Roofus T. Firefly).
Then I found this place. I don't use any of the social media platforms so dipping my toe in the water here was a personal challenge. Yup, put some aluminum foil in your hat and call me paranoid. Well, everything turned out great and nobody has come after me with pitchforks and torches (yet). All kidding aside, I have learned quite a bit from the members here, whom I consider family for the most part. I lurk in a lot of other gun forums but none of them have the same dynamic as we do here so I never was compelled to join. I'm honored to know and interact with all of you.