Happy Sweet 16 MDShooters.

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

  • No ad networks!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • Norton

    NRA Endowment Member, Rifleman
    Staff member
    Admin
    Moderator
    May 22, 2005
    122,850
    This week marks 16 years ago that MDShooters first went live with this message:

    Welcome! This forum was developed for the purpose of bringing together a community of individuals from the Maryland area who share one thing in common, an appreciation for the Second Amendment to the Constitution and the freedom that it provides. My vision for this forum is a community where members can share their thoughts about firearms, the latest Orioles game, their favorite fishing hole, their views on current events and politics, or even plan a weekend shoot and BBQ. There are many excellent forums that cater to a larger audience that will always have their spot on my Favorites list, but I think that there is a unique perspective to be gained from a forum that draws neighbors together.

    If you have any comments or criticisms, or if you would like to see a new forum topic added, please feel free to drop me a note by Private Message, or use the Comments and Suggestions forum. I'm always open to new ideas.

    It may take a while for this community to get firmly established, but with your help I believe we can do it. Please spread the word to fellow shooters so that our community can grow!

    God bless America, and God bless Maryland!
     

    Norton

    NRA Endowment Member, Rifleman
    Staff member
    Admin
    Moderator
    May 22, 2005
    122,850
    And my message from our 10th anniversary:

    So, this coming week represents a milestone in the life of this community that many of us old-timers could have never imagined way back in 2005….the 10th anniversary of the forum's founding.

    It's hard for many of us to imagine what being a gun owner in Maryland was like before the advent of mdshooters.com, but there is no question that we are all a lot better off with this community than without.

    Way back in 2005, many of us were communicating over at the original High Road and had put together some group shoots and attended some events in Pennsylvania. We had put together some meal times and we found that we liked each other's company.

    But, we still didn't have a home of our own.

    Then one day this dude from Arizona decides to start a community for Maryland gun owners and some of us begin to trickle in. I managed to fool that dude into thinking that I had a couple of functional brain cells and might not be the worst idea of a person to help manage the place and he asked me to sign on as a moderator.

    Thinking then, it couldn't be that hard to corral the 100 members we had, I agreed to do it.

    I remember hitting "new posts" over and over looking to see if there was at least 2-5 posts A NIGHT and marveling at every new registration…never conceiving that we would be well over 22k members and that threads would be getting posts faster than I could read them.

    It hasn't always been easy, and we haven't always pleased everyone, but I think we largely get it right even with the occasional stumbles.

    This community has become so intertwined with my life because of the friendships, collegial relationships and fellowship that i have to concede that it is now part of who I am.

    I've shared your triumphs and tragedies, our victories and defeats, your family's births and deaths and we've sustained each other at our highest and lowest moments.

    My partners in crime, zoostation, JoppaJ, and 2SAM22 are my friends, my advisors and trusted confidants. We've shared much in our lives, even as we've faced personal challenges in our family lives, health and careers. Thank you my brothers.

    DD214 entrusts us with the management of this community for our membership and even though life's twists and turns have lead him far from us at times, he's always there working quietly in the background keeping the lights on for us.

    Don, you've been a model of the citizen activist and patriot. I'm sorry that we don't have more time together, but still reminisce fondly at some of our ventures back in those simpler times. The next umbrella drink is on me.

    For our members - you've been a source of pride, inspiration, wonderment, frustration, despair, and anger….sometimes all at the same time. You've brought me some of my highest moments, whether that was as your erstwhile leader in the 2A fight, or the joy of seeing new shooters at our group shoots, and for that I thank you. You've sustained me through the darkest moments of my personal and professional life, you've taught me much about myself.

    We've done a remarkable thing here in growing to one of the most significant gun related communities in the world. Of that, I am immensely proud; as you should be.

    Here's to the next decade….cheers my friends.
     

    Norton

    NRA Endowment Member, Rifleman
    Staff member
    Admin
    Moderator
    May 22, 2005
    122,850
    Thank you to everyone for your contributions to another year of making MDS one of the top communities of its type in the world.
     

    DD214

    Founder
    Apr 26, 2005
    14,081
    St Mary's County
    This thread makes me feel old. At least the idea seems to have worked. But I still feel old. Anyway, thanks to Norton and all who made it happen. This state is gun stupid, but hopefully we made a positive impact in some way and continue to do so.
     

    HRDWRK

    ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
    Jan 7, 2013
    2,626
    39°43′19.92216″ N
    It is great to a part of the community since 2013!

    The knowledge I have gained from the members is immeasurable!

    My wish for the future of MDS, would be that as members we are here for a common goal!
    Gain knowledge about firearms and laws that try to limit our rights!
     

    K31

    "Part of that Ultra MAGA Crowd"
    MDS Supporter
    Jan 15, 2006
    35,600
    AA county
    Thanks Don, Norton, Tex, and the Mods.
     
    Last edited:

    Norton

    NRA Endowment Member, Rifleman
    Staff member
    Admin
    Moderator
    May 22, 2005
    122,850
    This thread makes me feel old. At least the idea seems to have worked. But I still feel old. Anyway, thanks to Norton and all who made it happen. This state is gun stupid, but hopefully we made a positive impact in some way and continue to do so.

    You're younger than me, but I feel great for a guy who is 82.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,641
    Socialist State of Maryland
    It's been a helava ride thanks to one person's vision and a few others willing to risk burn out by helping make that vision a reality. Thanks DD214, Norton, JoppaJ, Zoostation, 2SAM22 and any others I have missed. You have indeed made a home for Maryland Shooters and also have affected shooters throughout the country.

    Bless you all. :patriot:
     

    Topher

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Sep 8, 2008
    4,816
    Fredneck
    I have learned metric crap-ton over the years here...
    Thank you to all who make this site possible.
     

    Huckleberry

    No One of Consequence
    MDS Supporter
    Oct 19, 2007
    23,248
    Severn & Lewes
    Here's to MDShooters' Past, Present and Future

    It's been quite a rush since I wandered onto this site back in 2007 and found a home like no other.

    Thank you all for allowing me the privilege of associating both online and offline with some of the finest folks that any man would have had the pleasure to meet. It has been my honor.

    Lee
     

    Users who are viewing this thread

    Latest posts

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    274,702
    Messages
    7,248,973
    Members
    33,310
    Latest member
    Skarface

    Latest threads

    Top Bottom