The Hillsdale College Firearms Club has exploded in the last year.
Due to the work of president and junior Chelsea Bratten, vice president and senior Matt Eltringham, and secretary and sophomore Matt Little, the club has become a rapidly growing group.
The previous president, alumnus Blake Scott, couldn’t expand the club because he had to divide his time between the firearms club and the timeconsuming shotgun team, Eltringham said.
But in the spring of 2013, the club underwent a restructuring, Bratten said.
“We would like to give people the opportunity to learn about firearms and issues pertaining to the second amendment,” Bratten said.
Eltringham said their goals for the club are to bring speakers on campus, expand range hours, and get college students involved with ranges off campus.
Professor of Politics Ronald Pestritto will be giving a talk on concealed carry on Feb. 24, at 6 p.m. in Lane 124. Little said he is also working to bring National Rifle Association commentator Billy Johnson to campus.
“He has a fact and analysis style that I think Hillsdale students would appreciate,” Little said. Eltringham is working on getting another NRA speaker from the legislative branch to talk about the gun debate in America and the issues our generation is facing.
Little explained they are having trouble confirming speakers from the NRA because the offices have been closed frequently for snow, but they hope to have one speaker in March and one in April.
“Most Hillsdale students are progun, but we want to arm them with the facts so that they can discuss the issues confidently with anyone,” Little said.
Eltringham is also working with local ranges, including the Hillsdale Rifle Club, the TriCounty Sportsmen’s League, and the Brooklyn Sportsmans Club to get student memberships.
“They are incredibly welcoming and love to have us,” Little said. “And we are lucky to be there.” A few members go to the rifle club each Saturday to compete at its falling plate shoots.
Bratten said it isn’t necessary to be a member of the college club or the local rifle club to attend the meets.
“As long as you are safe with a gun and can get equipment, you can go,” she said.
Members of both clubs are willing to help people get equipment.
“Last week Matt Little won first in two divisions with borrowed guns,” Bratten said.
Bratten said while it is a competition, the atmosphere is relaxed and shooters can go as slowly as they feel they need to.
“You don’t need a competitive mindset,” she said.
When the weather gets warmer, the college range will be open to members on Thursday afternoons.
Eltringham worked with rangemaster Bartley Spieth to expand the hours and lower club dues. Rather than paying a large flat fee for the whole semester, members now pay $28 for the semester and pay per day they shoot.
“We wanted to accommodate people that can’t shoot as much, so they feel like they are getting their money’s worth,” Eltringham said.
The club is growing faster than the resources are able to, Eltringham said, but they plan to continue working to improve the club.
“We are open to hearing suggestions for topics and for the club,” Bratten said.
