Contest: Name that Magazine

[Long Path]

George, there are the rantings of an angry, fed-up person who has something to say, and there are the rantings of an off-balance, mentally-unstable person.

I'm not sure what kind of rant the above is, but...

.
.
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...you don't appear angry in it...!

Dr.Rob-- More! More!

I like Blades67's contribution for the content it conveys, but am unsure as to snappiness. Is that important, folks?

[Rainbow Six]

The words "weapons" and "tactics" smack of military or LE slang. I think that something more (God, I hate this term!!) "politically correct" would attract more fence sitters to the magazine as opposed to the S.W.A.T. title, or anything with "weapons", "tactics", "tactical", etc.

As evidenced by the fact that a title change is being considered, even some of us died in the wool gun nuts don't like titles such as S.W.A.T, or others that bring to mind certain things(JBTs/COPS). Some won't subscribe/buy because of that. How can we expect someone that is unsure about where they stand regarding our rights and our hobby to pick up and read a magazine that might influence their decisions if it comes across as being "tactical" or about those possibly evil "weapons". Firearms CANNOT be referred to as weapons when dealing with anti's and fence sitters. They are tools used for self defense or sport.

Imagine yourself trying to convert an anti or fence sitter and convince them that they SHOULD own firearms for self defense and that they should learn to use these tools. You have just had an intelligent conversation with them and convinced them to look into this concept. They are thinking, "Hmmm, maybe he's not a para-military skinhead type that trains in his backyard to be a killer...", so they ask where they can find out more? You say...

Option#1- Well, there's this magazine called "Weapons & Tactics" that has great articles about... (what they will hear after this is probably along the lines of blah blah blah...blah blah, blah blah blah because instead of listening, they're thinking, "Weapons?" "Tactics?" "Guess I was wrong. He is a nut!".)

Option#2- Well, there's this magazine called "Armed & Responsible" and it has great articles about the tools and skills that are used by responsible people who exercise their right to defend themselves.

Using option two, you got their attention by using the word "Armed" without using words like "tactics", "tactical", etc and then you take them by surprise, lower their guard and hold their attention when you include the word "Responsible". Now there's a word that they might not normally associate with gun magazines or gun rights activists. You have their undivided attention because you are speaking their language!

While I hate political correctness as much as anybody here, it is time we used ALL of the available avenues to try and convince as many people as we can that our rights are worth fighting for. That is the reason I chose to suggest the title "Armed & Responsible". I'm not saying that my suggestion is the only valid choice. I am saying that if Rich & Co. go to the trouble of changing the title of the mag to suit personal tastes, why not go a step further and use the change to further our cause, if possible?

A magazine thet might appeal to a wider crowd would be an EXCELLENT means of spreading information that is vital to our success. Make sense at all?

Before anyone says TFL is not offensive like "tactics", etc I'd like to ask you this. Is it as effective as it possibly could be in attracting different types of people to the magazine? Think about it...

R6

[Point Blank]

Maybe Rich could get a contact list of former suscribers to S.W.A.T. and ask for feedback?? I have a few more possibles i am going to throw out but let me first say i do read every new post in this thread but the chances of me posting one thats already posted is great,so SHOOT ME!!!!(hehe)
The Viglant Citizen / Brothers in Arms/Tools of the Trained Professionals/ 21st Century Surveillance Training & Tatics/Bad Boys and their Toys/ The Clandestine Journals /Citizens for Countering Malice/Operation Clandestine/Vengeance For All /CUFFSnSTUFF...whew,sorry getting carried away!!(but having a blast!!)

[CastleBravo]

DEFENDER
- Knowledge & Tools for Protection of Lives

[Point Blank]

I dunno Rich.....looking at it from a different angle,i would keep it S.W.A.T. or something geared for LEO's and such.This opinion is a blind one though, as i do not know what the magazines subscription totals was when it was took over by you.If the magazine had a substantial active list i wouldnt even consider it,if it was low i would redirect my train of thoughts to boosting LEO subscribers by "marketing tactics ".Recuiting new subscribers would "seem" rather easy.You have the world at your hands via this forum,as long as members from the different nicks and crannies of the earth would help out.Lets take Ga. for instance,you have atleast 10 members in the Metro area,and countless others that live in rural area's.The local police depts. dont have locks on their doors and the majority have an open ear.To save bandwidth i will cut this very short."Target" the stations with volunteers to hand out "sample" magazines.Hit the "specialized" units hard as possible!!!! Even here in Atlanta, the "specialized" unit buildings where they park there step vans,cars,etc. are wide open.I seriously doubt anyone is threatened or run off for soliciting,etc.Get a couple laid out in various breakrooms,etc. and it will take off!!!The "average" citizen has too many mags to choose from,the LEO doesnt.Again,sorry if i am WAY out of line but i truly feel a strong push with this mag,with its current title COULD result in a very profitable income . Think how many LEO's that there really are,right down to Mayberry,U.S.A.

[Rich Lucibella]

Many great ideas here. I'm not tipping my hand yet.

Here's some more info:
- TFL is not a trademarked name....not by the CA Hunter's Association, William F Buckley ("Firing Line" Magazine) or us. It can't be trademarked and is available for use.
- S.W.A.T. may have it's origins (for me) in the same interests that produced the TFL Web Site, but I'm not at all certain there's any synergy....witness the less than enthusiastic response to the Subscription Offer. I've no problem with this, but the point remains.
- S.W.A.T.'s readership is 50% LEO.....it's content about 20-30% LEO.
- To the extent that special teams are often innovators in tactics and training, the current editorial direction will remain. However, the title and covers belie the value of the magazine to the non-LEO.
- While S.W.A.T. has a loyal readership, the title change will be phased in. I'm not worried about loosing subscribers as the content will not be affected, other than the improvements we're adding to layout and columns.
Thus the need for a name change at this point.

[dZ]

hey what about

Molon Labe
Tactics for the Modern Hopolite

[Bogie]

Rich, just remember - "The Firing Line" appeals to a wide variety of folks - Both the "sporting" and the "defensive" portions of our culture... Your average shotgun golfer isn't gonna buy SWAT, but they'll consider TFL...

[HankL]

Thus the need for a name change at this point.

That said, I just subscribed

[OF]

I know! We'll make it a little more 'forward-looking'. How about:

Shoot, Shovel and Shut Up
Self-Defense in The New World Order


- Gabe

[ArmySon]

How about this?

[Rich Lucibella]

Son-
You are a sick, sick boy! My kinda people.
Rich

[Mal H]

We have a winner!

Son, Mykl's gonna getcha. You won't know where or when, but he will.

[ArmySon]

Mykl, Pete Single, my buddy Ross, Wayne Novak and I are going fishing this weekend. If I don't make it back ...

[224Man]

Can you say
Weapons & Tactics
Without a smile?

[224Man]

Fine Weaponry
For The Specialist

Specialist has many different meanings.
It has a welcoming feel to many groups while still giving you the touch of class you need for your edge.

[Bogie]

Well, heck - Just call it

MALL NINJA!

[Rich Lucibella]

A decision will be made and announced next week. We've definitely got some winners here.
Thanks all-
Rich

[Karsten]

Tacticial Intervention......Is PC, and has no misnomer as to evil, mean of vial. It makes NO reference to SWAT, SEALS, LEO's, Spec Op's or anyone else. Tacticial can include anything from say .22 to .50 BMG. It can include Tactical as far as Knives, batons, hand to hand, shotgun and a wide variety of pistols. But we are or should be civil and to the public...we ALL think...hence, we are all Tactical indididuals.

Well, It was just a thought...see what happens when one goes exploring

Karsten

[Poplin]

Point of Aim

The Armed Specialist

[Rich Lucibella]

Here's some feedback on what we have so far:
"Weapons and Tactics" is the name of a newsetter published out of Las Vegas. While there is no Trademark issue here, there may be a problem with USPS regarding the name....all publications must be registered with them.

"The Firing Line" is appropriate for our web presence....it's conjures up the image of a training session...and that's what TFL was designed to do. However, it's simply not eye catching or descriptive enough for a print magazine. Additionally, "Firing Line" is William Buckley's publication, so the same USPS issues exist.

"Tactical" Anything is a non-starter for personal reasons. I don't mind the word "tactics", but "tactical" has come to be used for everything from folding knives to vests and is sysnonymous (for me) with the word "wannabe"....I hate the word in it's overused state. "Tactics" is descriptive; "tactical" is no longer so.

"Firearms Professional": I like this imagery, though not the actual words.

The magazine requires an action title, though not a spec-ops title. Examples of such words, though not appropriate for the magazine title are things like:
"Stress Fire"
"Line of Fire"
"Under Fire"

Again, this is all a matter of taste, but I can't emphasize enough just how important a publication's title is. They've been known to make or break magazines.
Rich

[Glamdring]

What is the target market exactly? Sounds like your not worried about the name changing existing readers, but that you want to attract wider audience?

Some ideas:

The Patriot & Shield

Patriot & Shield Reports

Patriot & Shield: Tactics, Training, & Weapons

On The Firing Line

DT: Defensive Tactics

Defensive Tactics: At Work & Home

Principles of Practical Tactics

[Scott Evans]

Very well … no TFL mag (sniff )


Some more mud for the water then:

“Modern Application”
Traditions, tactics, and situational awareness

“Modern Application, Methods & Evaluations”

“Methods & Evaluations”

“Arms; Methods & Evaluations”

“Firearms; Methods & Evaluations”

“Preparation and trial”

“Performance”


… a slightly different perspective;

“Molon Labe”
A journal dedicated to technical excellence, study and activity exclusive to free men

“Firearms in Perspective”

“Range 1”
The firearm practitioner’s journal of excellence

It’s short, eye-catching, e-z to remember, adaptable to every application of the mission.
Test take place in “the lab”
CQB in “the shooting house”
Evaluation of actual performance in “the debriefing room”
History in “the library”

And so on …

A magazine resembling a cross between a training facility, research center, and college campus.

[Long Path]

Okay. Shorter. Showing action. Implying, tactics.

LIVE FIRE, or

FIREFIGHT.

[Bud Helms]

The Line