Rose gun club hits its mark
Matt Vargo / Rose Thorn
A shooter practices his aim at the Rose-Hulman Gun Club’s “Big Shoot” at ProTEQ Firearms on Saturday, March 15.
On Saturday, March 15, Rose students and faculty gathered at ProTEQ Firearms for the Gun Club’s third “Big Shoot” of the year. The event, like all Gun Club shoots, was free and open to faculty, students, friends, and family of Rose-Hulman.
The Gun Club’s emphasis on safety is readily apparent. Before shooting, there are a number of forms to complete, including a liability waiver. Eye and ear protection must be worn by everyone, even while not shooting. Earplugs and protective eyewear were provided by the Rose-Hulman Gun Club. Range Officers, specially trained members of the gun club, are nearby whenever guns are being used. They make sure the guns are being used safely, and help novices use the guns correctly.
Andrew Roth, freshman mechanical engineer, was among the Range Officers present. He was pleased with the turnout. “This was the most people we’ve had in a long time. We had 167 people show up,” he said.
Several different types of guns were available to shoot, spread over four shooting ranges: handguns, shotguns, .22’s, and long-range rifles. Because of the number of people, shooting most guns required a wait in line. Waits are generally longer for more unique guns such as the .44 Mag or AK-47 and shorter for the more common .22’s and 9mm handguns. In addition to those provided by the club, anyone can bring their own personal guns to shoot.
People of all experience levels are welcome at the Gun Club’s shoots. Most people who show up are experienced with guns, and enjoy the “Big Shoots” because they are free. Others have never shot before. No matter what the skill level, everyone who shows up is enthusiastic and leaves happy. “We get people who want to shoot but don’t have the time, the place, or the money to get into it” says Roth, who has been to all three shoots this year. Nick Morphing, a senior biomedical engineer, says “I go to them a lot because I don’t get to shoot guns anywhere else. But here I can shoot a variety [of guns] and learn how to use them and be safe.”
The Gun Club’s fourth and final Big Shoot of the school year is scheduled for Saturday, May 3.
Correction
In the March 21, 2008 edition of The Rose Thorn, we misattributed the photo in the “Rose Gun Club hits its mark” article. The photo had been attributed to Isaac Sachs, whereas it should have been attributed to Matthew Vargo.
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