Tony Grist
This is the fifth 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, Reflection #3, and Reflection #4.
Reflections from previous semesters of Sociology of Guns are available HERE.
By Zali Lawrence
As a New Yorker and someone who hung with people in gangs, I have seen, held, and heard of so many stories of shootings that involved guns. Experiencing those things created an understanding that guns are dangerous and associated with violence and self-defense. This past Tuesday was the first time I shot a gun and it was an exciting yet scary experience but it did change my perspective on guns.
Before shooting the guns, I was hesitant and nervous. The thought of actually shooting the guns made me anxious. It was a mix of fear and anticipation. I wasn’t scared of the gun itself but mostly the sound that came with it.
Being from New York we learned to move farther away from where you hear gunshots and learned how to tell the difference between a firework and a gunshot. So naturally when my peers first started shooting I would take a step back or jump a little. This made the experience more scary than the shooting but my curiosity was so far peaked that I wanted to understand what it felt like to hold and shoot a gun properly.
When squeezing the trigger I was more scared than anything. The gunshot sound was still louder than I expected even with the protective gear on. This moment reminded me of the sense of power and danger that comes with holding a firearm. The feeling was shock but not a feeling of being unsafe. The gun range gave room for a safe experience which took off weight to how I processed the movements.
All though the recoil and the noise were my least favorite parts I still enjoyed the experience. It wasn’t scary anymore. It came with more of a thrill for me once I got comfortable with each gun. This experience truly changed how I viewed guns.
Although I still know and understand the danger they can have I also realize that guns aren’t really bad in themselves. Their impact is determined by how they are used and the intentions behind how they are used.
The thought that shooting could be a fun activity was different for me, especially in New York City where most of the people I knew learned to shoot a gun for a purpose, not an experience. What I learned and understood now is that when handled carefully and responsibly shooting can be a fun thing to do. The change in my perspective confirmed the importance of safety and responsibility when handling firearms. It presented a need for discipline and awareness which are important when dealing with something as powerful as a gun. Shooting isn’t just about pulling a trigger; it’s about control, focus, and responsibility. I would have not realized this had I not experienced it myself.
Read the full article here
