Advocates tout firearms training for youth
Students, coaches and parents involved in school gun clubs say they teach life lessons, not violence.
Their classmates took to the streets to protest gun violence and to implore adults to restrict guns, seeming to forecast a generational shift in attitudes toward the Second Amendment. But at high school and college gun ranges around the country, these teens and young adults gather to practice shooting and talk about the positive influence firearms have had on their lives.
What do they say they learn? Patience. Discipline. Responsibility.
“I’ve never gone out onto a range and not learned something new,” said Lydia Odlin, a 21-year-old member of the Georgia Southern University rifle team.
There are an estimated 5,000 teams at high schools and universities around the country, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and their popularity hasn’t waned despite criticism after it emerged that the gunman who killed 14 students and three staff members at a Florida high school had been a member of the JROTC rifle team. The youths who are involved, coaches and parents say there’s an enormous difference between someone bent on violence and school gun clubs that focus on safety and teach skills that make navigating life’s hardships easier.
The clubs use a variety of firearms — from air rifles that shoot pellets to 9 mm pistols that fire bullets. Its members invest hundreds of dollars in specialized stiff uniforms and shoes that provide stability and support for spending hours standing, kneeling or lying prone to fire at targets down range. Some have hopes of representing the U.S. in the Olympics. Some simply love the camaraderie and mental focus required.
On a recent weekend, close to a dozen high school and college gun team members In this photo taken Saturday in Dahlonega, Georgia, a student stands at the bay of a gun range at the University of North Georgia, carrying an air rifle and wearing specialized glasses. In the wake of the shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, some Americans are questioning whether school gun clubs are wise. But those who participate, say it teaches them discipline, patience and life skills. gathered at the University people about something of North Georgia and they’re not ignorant in Dahlonega to work with about it, then we’re JP O’Connor, a coach affiliated actually safer.” with USA Shooting, the Emily Clegg from Monroe Olympic organization. For accompanied her 16-yearold the first hour he only talks daughter, Ashley, to — not about techniques or O’Connor’s session. Clegg scores, but about mental said that in the two years strategy. Ashley has been involved in
“I want to encourage the JROTC program, she’s you to be self-aware and to seen “tremendous, positive be disciplined about what things” happen to her, from you’re doing,” he said. “If motivation and leadership you are patient with yourself, to learning to set goals. life is a lot easier — or Everyone is upset by gun less difficult.” violence, “but I don’t think
Many of the students what students are doing came with their parents. here will lead to that,” Clegg All of them say they have said. no qualms about putting Mike Lewis, who started a firearm in the hands of the Carrollton High School kids, many of whom are too team, recalled bringing his young to drive a car, vote or .22-caliber rifle to school in buy alcohol. the 1980s. He might open
“So many people have assumed up the trunk in the school — and I picked that parking lot to show it off word on purpose — that to his classmates or one of guns are bad,” O’Connor the teachers. “Now there’s told The Associated Press. a whole knee-jerk reaction “Some people are, ‘I can’t based on ignorance and believe you’re teaching misunderstanding,” he lamented. kids to shoot.’ Well, I’m not teaching kids to shoot. I’m It’s a unique sport that teaching kids life skills. And doesn’t attract typical jocks, I’m teaching them about a he said. Rather than brawn, topic that is very contentious it’s a very brainy sport, and ... and when we educate he’s proud that most of his team is made up of straight-A students.
Kevin Neuendorf, the director of marketing communications at USA Shooting, said views toward school gun clubs are part of the cultural divide in the country.
“There are a lot of misperceptions out there about the gun culture and all that, but for many it’s just a way of life. Most people who are shooters, respect the sport and respect the game and have a respect for the firearm they shoot and for the people around them,” he said. “I question anybody who can’t go out to a gun range and have fun. That’s the way our athletes see it and that’s the way our sport is built.
“It’s no different than playing basketball or soccer. ... For our athletes and for our club members and for our parents, that gun is no different than Serena’s tennis racket ... and through that gun and through that firearm, what comes? Unbelievable discipline, opportunity, showing them success. Not every kid can be successful at basketball or football.”
Odlin grew up in Maine, a microcosm of the country’s divisions over guns. In the northern, more rural parts of the state, hunting is more prevalent. But in the southern, more-populated part, she said, she wasn’t even allowed to wear her rifle team’s T-shirt in high school.
“Overall, it was something you just didn’t talk about. You just kind of avoided the topic of guns,” she said.
As soon as she moved to Georgia, she was greeted with more acceptance.
“You say you’re on a rifle team, there’s no negativity surrounded by it. It’s, ‘Oh cool. What do you shoot? How far do you shoot?’”
Few go on to compete at the college level. After spending time working at a range and honing her skills, Odlin made the team in her second year. What she learns on the range, she said, has helped her in untold ways.
“You can’t become a quality shooter without becoming a quality person off the range too. The amount of focus just blends right into schoolwork,” she said.