Firearms and academia: An unlikely alliance and ... - Carleton College

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decades, write a piece for Blue Book. Publications? Well first, I need to step back a bit and tell an interesting story. Last year I happened to notice a video on the.
Gould Library

Gould Library Papers Carleton College

Year 

Firearms and academia: An unlikely alliance and a forgotten market Charles F. Priore Carleton College, [email protected]

This paper is posted at Digital Commons@Carleton College. http://digitalcommons.carleton.edu/libpapers/1

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By Charles F. Priore, Jr.

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uns and academia? If the topic should arise in friendly discourse, one would have to marvel at the near total disconnect of the firearms industry and academe. Those of us, like me, who walk those ivy covered campuses, have been called everything from commies to wackos. We are the people who blame September 11 on failed U.S. foreign policy; and yet wait patiently to have a cook book signed by Sara Jane Olson. We vote democratic or worse, Green Party. We are to be ignored both in what we preach and as possible customers. We are the enemy! It is one of the biggest mistakes the firearms manufacturers (and society) could make. There is a huge untapped market here, both in terms of profits and ideology–but no one has shown them the way. Political correctness, and liberal hysteria have sent the gun makers scrambling for cover. It is time they "came out" and I hope this short piece will serve as a guide and an inspiration. So how does a mild mannered librarian working at two "liberal" arts colleges for two decades, write a piece for Blue Book Publications? Well first, I need to step back a bit and tell an interesting story. Last year I happened to notice a video on the gift shelf, entitled In the Blood. On the cover was a teenage boy holding a double barrel express Holland & Holland African safari rifle. The gifts librarian just happened to walk by, and when questioned quipped that it was an alum from the Class of 1961 who has been sending books and videos to the Carleton library for 40 years. That night I watched this African video plus some from a series called Tales of the Gun. The fellows name was R. L. Wilson. It didn't take me long to realize that this distinguished alum was probably the foremost historian of firearms living today. The following day I told my colleague (a non gun person) who suggested I send him a thank you note. And herein is where the snow ball effect began. I crafted a very kind and informative note to Mr. Wilson and thanked him profusely for his many donations to Carleton College. Months passed and I concluded that an author with 45 books to his credit and

Charles Priore, Associate Librarian for both Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges in Minnesota, shoots raccoons out of his bedroom window at night, during the summer with his favorite Sako rifle, ejecting hot brass cases randomly around his rudely awakened spouse. Shooters and firearms enthusiasts are wherever you find them, and Charlie is a great example of how a librarian from a liberal college can be one of the shooting sports greatest assets.

hundreds of articles hadn't much time for correspondence. In April, my phone rang, and R.L. Wilson was on the other end. After two hours, it turned out we have a lot in common; including Wilson's personal contacts with people I have only read about and dreamed of meeting. Names like Peter Capstick, Harry Selby, and Jimmy Stewart were mentioned. I also learned that he had never returned to Carleton College. In 1961 he walked away and wrote off his academic experience for the same reasons the industry has. We are the enemy. Months passed but, the phone calls and emails were really flying now. Then one day "Larry" as he prefers to be addressed; asked if he could pay me a personal visit. Before long he, was back in Minnesota where his life began, and for the first time in over 40 years he was walking on a campus he had shunned. The visit was brief, but we got the idea to celebrate this prolific author's works by creating a display in the Gould Library of Carleton College followed by a public lecture. I made it clear to our exhibits librarian that the emphasis was to be on scholarship and his publishing record. We were to avoid the word "guns" as people would see the display and put two and two together easily enough. After months of gathering Wilson's books, monographs and magazine pieces, and pulling together some of his personal and rare artifacts, our exhibit opened on March 28, 2003. It was entitled: 40 Years in Art and Antiques and was beautifully and tastefully done by our curator

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Mikhail Timofeevich Kalashnikov: The Man and His Rifle, cont.

Thomas O'Sullivan. Larry's talk scheduled for April 15 was entitled: "Annie Oakley and a History of Women at Arms." Publicity flyers went all across campus and to the Northfield Historical Society. We stood back and waited for the inevitable maelstrom. Nothing happened. The angst I had felt for weeks turned into surprise as viewers of the display began to express how interesting and fascinating the subject matter really was. An art professor, not exactly the gun toting type, was fascinated to see the Art of the Gun book series since he planned to use firearms in his class as art objects. Even students who assisted in the set up of the exhibit could not get over the sheer elegance of the photographs displayed in the books no less the craftsmanship shown in the artifacts. Our physical plant employees came to tour the exhibit as well. They not only knew of the author, but they were amazed that someone had the guts (that was not the exact word used) to put up a display where firearms were given prominence.

lege but realize it is smarter to hide their hunting/shooting traditions than to fend off attacks from fellow students and faculty. They are far from home, and they need friends and kindred spirits just like everyone else. Better to set aside these passions than be a pariah by "week one" of classes. What can we do as professors and staff? Simple. Cultivate these students. The most memorable moments of my undergraduate career was not a classic lecture or a riveting seminar. It was the "choice" times I spent with fellow students and faculty outside of the classroom. Since I have finally tired of hiding my gun/hunting/shooting passions; I now display on my desk and on my personal bulletin board tasteful photos of my hunting exploits. Those who disapprove say little or nothing and if they did object, I don't care. But those who are in our secret society begin the much cherished discourse. Usually a rather guarded question like, "So do you hunt or something?" The rest is up to us. Take them to the field or to a shooting range. This is what it is all about. These are the future professors who will be teaching the next generation of shooters and hunters – or shall I say non hunters if we don't act.

...these are the future professors who will be teaching the next generation of shooters...

April 15 was upon us, and Larry Wilson's lecture was scheduled for 5pm in the Gould Library Athenaeum. The room seats 50 people and I was secretly hoping we might bring in 25. But before I could even begin my introduction the chairs were filled and people were standing in the back of the room. Faculty, staff, students, employees, and just interested folks came from all over the state to hear Larry's presentation. There were no signs, no protests, and no hecklers. Indeed a few interesting questions were raised at the end of Larry's PowerPoint presentation and lecture. A faculty member friend of mine sat between two students and asked why they chose to attend. The young woman responded, "This just seems interesting, I know nothing about it." The young man said that he, just like Larry Wilson, was a history major and wanted to hear him speak. The exhibit was such a success that we extended it for another two weeks; all in all a smashing success at none other than Carleton College! So let's get to the meat and potatoes. Just what am I trying to get across to you the reader and the industry as a whole? Many students arrive at col-

Faculty and staff need to approach the industry and ask for some sponsorship. The gun giants pour millions of dollars every year into advertising and support of police groups etc., and (sadly), over $100 million to date in legal fees fighting junk lawsuits. But in the advertising sector, they preach to the choir. And to the police groups – well have you ever seen a national group of police chiefs support concealed carry? I haven't. Let's by pass these paper pushers and put our money where the next generation is. A generation that will go on into teaching where they will shape the minds and determine the attitudes of future shooters for perhaps 40 years. This is not going to be universally successful. Forget about the elitist schools in California and the East Coast – for now. Instead, focus on colleges and universities in the West and Midwest. Schools in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, the Dakotas, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa. Here is a solid base to build on. It will take time. We will be checkered with failure. But if done right and done carefully we will get our nose in the tent, and that is a lot further than where we are now! n