The Oberlin Student Rifle Association became an official student organization Nov. 26, adding new diversity to Oberlin’s more typical organizations like the Oberlin Peace Activists League and the Oberlin College Democrats.

OSRA’s official status will allow its 27 members to go to nearby shooting ranges, as well as receive funding from the College.

OSRA is meant to give students the opportunity to learn how to safely handle and shoot firearms, as well as opening serious discussion about guns and their role in politics.

College senior Santiago Stocker, one of the founders and co-chair of OSRA, described his vision of the club.

“The purpose of OSRA is to provide students at Oberlin with a venue to exercise their Second Amendment rights and a forum to discuss Second Amendment issues,” Stocker said.

OSRA is not yet actively shooting, but it is in contact with a private shooting range and a certified weapons instructor from the Oberlin Police Department to make plans for a shooting program. OSRA also plans to bring speakers to campus and to organize awareness events.

Many students have expressed surprise about a rifle club existing at Oberlin, an institution with an undeniable reputation for liberal values that some perceive to be in conflict with the right to bear arms. However, Stocker argues that liberal interests and gun rights are not inconsistent with each other.

“Gun rights are not a conservative issue,” Stocker insisted. “I personally believe gun rights are a progressive issue.

“I’m from rural California,” he continued. “A lot of ranchers, farmers and marijuana cultivators have guns, use guns, and consider gun rights to be consistent with progressive issues.”

Nick Mayor, a College sophomore and an opponent of gun ownership, does not believe that OSRA could be constructive.

“Guns are a huge problem in our society,” said Mayor. “We should not be promoting their use.”

College sophomore and gun owner Georgie Schaefer, however, is convinced that OSRA could be important both for the discussion of issues and the promotion of gun safety:

“I think it’s something to be talked about. I found a lot of people here who believe in gun control, but nobody talks about it. [It’s important to] make progress and come to solutions.”

Schaefer also sees value in the practical aspect of the club, especially in teaching safe handling of weapons.

“Firing a handgun makes you aware of what it is capable of,” Schaefer said. “Think of the impact one shot can have. The result can be devastating. No matter what argument you take, firing a gun makes you more aware of the hazards involved.”

Schaefer continued to say that he would consider joining the gun club because he believes that discussion of the issues can lead to a solution to the gun problem in America.

“I come from the hunting, outdoor, down east Maine culture. I could add to the discussion,” said Schaefer. “There is a problem with guns, but I don’t think the Rifle Association would make it worse.”

Alexa Punnamkuzhyil, a College sophomore and a member of OSRA, supports the club for different reasons. Punnamkuzhyil, who first found guns attractive after seeing the movie Bullet, simply enjoys shooting.

“It’s a feeling of complete expulsion; it’s kind of like a drug,” she said. “It’s like listening to your favorite song or watching a movie, something to make your body feel a certain way, like drugs or art.”

Punnamkuzhyil was very dismissive of the political debate surrounding guns. She said, “I think that the politics are kind of bullshit. It’s such an Oberlin bullshit issue.”

Despite her political apathy on the issue, Punnamkuzhyil is pleased with OSRA’s safety policies. “They are obviously concerned about safety and about maintaining the respectability of the club.”

Another student, College sophomore Penelope Fisher, is not interested in OSRA personally but believes that they are a legitimate organization.

“If they are trying to oppose stricter gun laws, that is a problem. If they are just going to ranges, that doesn’t offend me,” Fisher said. “I don’t like guns, but OSRA has a right to exist.”