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

This is the fourth of several student gun range field trip reflection essays from my fall 2024 Sociology of Guns seminar. The assignment to which students are responding can be found here. I am grateful to these students for their willingness to have their thoughts shared publicly.

Previously posted reflection from Fall 2024 are available here: Reflection #1 and Reflection #2 and Reflection #3.

Reflections from previous semesters of Sociology of Guns are available HERE.

By Evie Ankele

Prior to this field trip, I had only ever shot some sort of small, pink gun that my Texas cousin had back when she and I were in elementary school. Even though I did not grow up shooting a gun, my father always emphasized gun safety since he had grown up in Texas hearing horror stories involving horseplay gone wrong and unlocked gun safes. Therefore, this field trip to Veterans Gun Range was very insightful for me, as I have always learned about guns from a distance rather than first hand. While my experience at Veterans Gun Range did alter my understanding of gun usage through first hand experience, it also largely affirmed my understanding of gun culture in the US.

The experience of firing a gun was fascinating and insightful, even given all the warnings I received from gun owners. So many people have emphasized to me how the firing sound is loud and the kick back on certain guns can be powerful, yet I still was surprised to actually hear it and feel it for myself. In fact, while I was waiting for the students in my group, I was standing outside my car and even though I knew the shooting range was right next to me, I jumped out of my skin at the first shot I heard because it was startlingly loud. Additionally, when shooting the AR-15, even though I had watched the students before me get jolted by the kick of the weapon, I still found myself shocked by the power it emitted when fired. 

My understanding of gun culture in America was affirmed during the field trip, as many of my preconceived ideas appear to be accurate. That is not to say that my perceptions are actually correct and accurate for all of America. I simply mean to say that this field trip did not contradict my preconceptions. For instance, in my group of 4 students, the other girl and I had similarly very little gun experience; however the two boys in the group had both had multiple experiences shooting various guns. While a sample size of 4 is a limited base from which to draw conclusions, it is interesting to note considering it fits with my perception of American boys’ gun usage being higher than that of American girls.

Additionally, my experience shooting an AR-15 aligns with my prior perception of semiautomatic rifles. The gun was so powerful and can fire so many rounds so quickly, that I struggle to understand certain factions’ arguments in support of less regulated distribution and access to semiautomatic rifles, especially considering America’s current statistics on school shootings.

Lastly, a positive aspect of American gun culture that was confirmed by my experience is the idea that many, if not most, American gun owners practice safe and responsible gun usage. While gun owners as a whole are often vilified in the media after school shootings or other examples of gun violence, it is my perception that the proportion of gun owners who use their guns incorrectly is low and perhaps the irresponsible actions of a few are often projected onto gun owners as an entire group.

Professor Yamane practiced all the necessary gun safety and used his guns in a way that did absolutely no harm to others, and I believe that there are many Americans like him. Still, I do not think guns should be widely distributed and easily accessible. In fact, while I know it is controversial to some gun owners, I think there should be more regulation of guns and tracking of guns. But that tracking and regulation should be done without impeding the rights of responsible Americans, like those witnessed on the field trip.

The action of firing a gun was a surprising and informative experience that can not be understood in a classroom. Many of my preconceptions surrounding the culture of guns were affirmed, such as usage by gender and certain political opinions that I have, but I also appreciated the focus on safety and responsibility. Even though I was not converted into a weekly gun range visitor, I definitely enjoyed my experience and found it extremely insightful.