Comments on: “My understanding of gun culture in America was affirmed during the field trip” (Fall 2024 Student Range Visit Reflection #4)

By: “Even though I was nervous while shooting, I never felt in danger” (Fall 2024 Student Range Visit Reflection #7) – Gun Culture 2.0

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:01:07 +0000

[…] reflections from Fall 2024 are available here: Reflection #1 and Reflection #2, Reflection #3, Reflection #4, Reflection #5, and Reflection […]

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By: “I want to have an educated standpoint from which to develop an opinion” (Fall 2024 Student Range Visit Reflection #6) – Gun Culture 2.0

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 12:22:58 +0000

[…] reflections from Fall 2024 are available here: Reflection #1 and Reflection #2, Reflection #3, Reflection #4, and Reflection […]

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By: “Shooting isn’t just about pulling a trigger; it’s about control, focus, and responsibility” (Fall 2024 Student Range Visit Reflection #5) – Gun Culture 2.0

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 13:00:35 +0000

[…] Previously posted reflection from Fall 2024 are available here: Reflection #1 and Reflection #2, Reflection #3, and Reflection #4. […]

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By: Collected Posts on Sociology of Guns Seminar – Gun Culture 2.0

Collected Posts on Sociology of Guns Seminar – Gun Culture 2.0 — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 10:23:58 +0000

[…] “My understanding of gun culture in America was affirmed during the field trip” (Fall 2024 Stude… […]

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By: Ranjit Singh

Ranjit Singh — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:04:50 +0000

Please consider putting a linear compensator (if you don’t have one already) on your AR-15 to make the experience more pleasurable. You live in a free state where you can do that whereas I don’t. And for comparison’s sake, please consider giving them a .308 or .30-’06 hunting rifle and a 12 ga shotgun to shoot.

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By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 20:58:37 +0000

When commenting on these essays — which I have been reading & enjoying since their inception — I try to accentuate the positive and commend each student for his or her thoughtfulness & open-mindedness. I do this without expecting any student to become a pro-gun ‘convert.’

So it is with some trepidation that I must opine that, if Ms. Ankele found every one of her prior assumptions confirmed by her day at the range, she missed a unique opportunity to revisit those preconceptions. I’d also encourage her to revisit her understanding of “current statistics on school shootings,” — by, for example, comparing the criteria & tallies of the Gun Violence Archive with those of the Violence Project.

Ms. Ankele found the AR-15 “so powerful and [able to] fire so many rounds so quickly.” Surely she noticed that all three guns that day had the exact same rate of fire? She cannot be faulted, however, for having the AR’s reputation for extreme power confirmed — an inevitable conclusion for a novice when the progression is .22 LR pistol > 9mm pistol > .223 rifle. I’m aware of the logistical constraints of the field trip, but the addition of, say, a 12-gauge pump would offer a more realistic perspective. As it stands, the range exercise seems to frequently validate falsehoods and fear-mongering about .223/5.56 semiautos.

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By: Old Guy

Old Guy — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 20:09:07 +0000

The AR-15 was so powerful? Jolted by the kick of the weapon? I have seen 10 year old’s firing ARs that did not react to the kick except to have a big smile on their faces. I think her reaction is something of an exaggeration due to ingrained perceptions.

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