This is a followup question to my most recent question of disclosing a sensitive hobby. This is occurring in the United States in a blue, liberal leaning state.
During a recent team building exercise with another team in our cyber-security organization, each person was asked for hobbies. One that I shared was practical shooting within IPSC that I am active in.
Obviously, I am a firearm owner (pistol, shotgun) and use them mainly for recreational sports. Firearm policy and views of 2A are politically and culturally sensitive in the United States with strong opinions on the political spectrum.
As I feared when I shared my hobby, colleagues started asking questions, some positive, and others very critical. Opinions have included saying the sport is unreasonably dangerous, unworthy etc. Of the folks who made negative comments, they also shared negative views of 2A, such as need for right to be controlled.
I support 2A (and all other political rights in the USA), but also reasonable firearm policies such as UBC and limited red flag laws. The firearms I own are both legal under Heller framework.
Ordinarily, I would tell my colleagues directly of any commentary that I feel are outside of work norms / unrelated to work, but given the politically charged topic, don't want to strain work relationships, or make others uncomfortable.
How can I tactfully tell my colleagues outside my team but in our department, that politics is something I don't want to talk about at work?
