I think a lot depends on ones personality. I've met folks , we've got everything in common, but they're kind of grouchy, suspicious,mumbling types. I'm pretty much "in your face", eye contact, kind of loud, but upbeat, smiling, can and will talk about anything, and have made it through life with few problems so far, living in Miami during the Cuban influx late '70's, and hanging with the loons in Frisco's Tenderloin district. Probably why I'm so upbeat these days. Personality goes a long way, and lack of fear/suspicion helps as well. Had a dog sicced on me once, dang shepherd comes charging, definite os moment...and I bent my knees, clapped them with my hands and called "c'mere, boy, good dog." Confused that dog, and ticked that guy off.
2 co-workers used to give me grief about my pro gun shirts and attitude, one, Luis, used to be "oh, big man with a gun blahblahblah" and I responded in kind to his Harley shirt..."Oh, it's not like that" he says, and I responded "precisely." He got his permit. The other guy, "why do you need a gun like that/so many guns blahblahblah." I asked why does he need his BMW. " I don't need it, but I just like it."....Precisely. He just took the pistol permit class, came to work beaming, said he got shut off as he'd gone through 250 rounds having a good time.
I try to avoid the defense aspects of shooting, and preach the joy of shooting. I think if more did the same, we'd get some allies.