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A gun totin' redneck Christmas

There are those that call us Gun totin’ rednecks & gun nuts. They say we cling to our guns and our religion. They label us in every way they possibly can to discredit our way of life, our hobby, for some our profession. However, do they actually know us?

I knew that gun owners were a close-knit community unto ourselves. We meet regularly for shooting events, we get together for gun shows, and we even just go to dinner together. Always welcoming new comers and never making anyone feel like an outsider. Now do not get me wrong we do have our disagreements, arguments and some of them get fierce, because of course, we are human. We do have different beliefs about religion, about what is the perfect gun, who is the best gunsmith, where is the best place to buy ammo, politics, and so much more. If you want to talk about a giant melting pot, in our community they come in all shapes and sizes, races, and genders.

On Wednesday, despite knowing all that has been stated, knowing that we support our own, I was humbled. See, I am a member of a statewide community, Tennessee Gun Owners (TGO) and it all started as a simple classified ad titled “PIF: $100” by someone I can only describe as a great man with one act of kindness, an act of kindness that went viral and spread like wild fire.

Knowing how rough the economy has been on a lot of people, coupled with the holidays coming up, Billy Brooks Jr. of Estill Springs, TN, a user that goes by “brooksjr” on the forum took it upon himself to offer $100 to someone within our community who is really in need. I am not talking about in need of a new gun or in need of more ammo and that, he made sure was specified. His intentions were for this money to be used for food, utilities or gifts for children. He asked those who are having financial trouble, or know of someone that is having financial trouble to submit a story and he would choose a person based on the story. Since people are sometimes embarrassed about their situation, he made sure to include that they could send him a private message.

This sincere act of generosity then spread, another member offered $100 then another and another. In less than a day, what was $100 increased 10 times to $1000, and then continued to increase through out the day and the next. Within a day, the number of donations had reached $1600 and was still climbing. On day three the amount was at $1801. At that point, another very generous user, Chris Ramsey of Gray, TN, aka “cjr”, decided that he would match the $1801 bringing the total to $3602 and rising. I have seen nation wide telethons that do not get money this fast or donations this generous. So now instead of helping one family as Mr. Brooks Jr. intended, the community will be able to help several families in need. At this time the details are still being hashed out as to how much and how many families will be sent the money and how it will be distributed, like gift cards and to where, but what a great way to start the holiday season.

Where else do you find a community so willing to help their own who are in need? How often does this happen in today’s age? Yes, there are programs like Toys for Tots, but this started from the heart of one man and grew exponentially. Yet they will continue to call us gun nuts and rednecks. Curious though, what redneck is defined as:
“Redneck is a disparaging term that refers to a person who is stereotypically Caucasian and of lower social-economic status in the United States and Canada, particularly referring to those living in rural areas. Originally limited to the Southern United States, and then to Appalachia, the term has become widely used throughout North America.”

I find the definition somewhat humorous considering such a selfless act is taking place in the “root” area of the definition itself. If someone has to resort to calling gun owners as a whole, low class, then darn it, I am very proud of being low class.

Because of a few “classless, gun toting rednecks”, a family might still have power on Christmas, another might still have a home or a car, someone who didn’t have it will have food on the table and a child that is desperately awaiting Santa Claus for that new bike, toy car, or doll that he/she knows their parents cannot afford, may have just found their Santa after all.

I believe I can speak on behalf of everyone on TGO, for gun owners, and for those who are in great need this holiday season, when I say thank you to Billy Brooks Jr. aka “brooksjr”, Chris Ramsey aka “cjr” and to all those that volunteered or donated, for getting this started and for helping make a few lives a little brighter this holiday season.

If you would like to see how the events unfurled please take a look at TGO. You may have to be a registered member to view the post. http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/non-firearm-classifieds/30554-pif-100-a.html

By:
Chris C.

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Nov 22, 2009

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