I normally do not subscribe to credentialism. But in the firearms world, I expect people
who write or speak about guns to have one of three characteristics:
1) Trained Soldier or contractor. Even the private who has never deployed has
something to offer as his skills have been passed on to him by professionals.
2) Gunsmith. Even
the hobbyist smith who has tinkered and changed some parts has some valid experience
he can pass on.
3) Professional Competitor, specifically someone who is
actually good. A person who has the
skills to place in the top 3 of his local 3-gun league is worthy of listening
to. He might not be a national master
but he probably has some ideas that are valid.
So in a broad sense, I feel I am very open to those who
enter into the realm of “Gun Media” and/or “Gun Journalism” however, when I see
20-something year old kids speaking about guns, writing blogs or making Youtube
videos who lack all of these 3 qualities, I get rather upset. Always remember that the internet does not
make you more stupid, it just makes your stupidity more accessible to others.
