The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution grants citizens the right to keep and bear arms. Since the document's ratification in 1788, this cryptic amendment has been one of the most hotly debated.
One high-profile campus group has made gun ownership rights and education its primary objective, but there is more to this organization than meets the eye.
Though often criticized by liberals, Ohio University's Second Amendment Club fills a valuable role on campus by championing personal freedoms, members say.
OU junior Jesse Roush, the club's president, said its goals are simple.
We want to promote the Second Amendment and educate people on proper firearm use and ownership
he said.
Clubs such as this one are important because they give students a forum with which to express their views, said Mark LeBar, assistant professor of philosophy and the club's advisor.
For LeBar, the Second Amendment provides an important right with good reasons behind it.
It seems worthwhile to maintain its integrity he said.
The club, which began in 2001, boasts a diverse membership of Athens residents, graduate students and undergraduates from many majors and interests, Roush said.
It's a pretty wide range he said.
OU junior Casey Baker, the club's vice president, said he joined in order to make a difference in the fight to bear arms.
I like the goals of the club
Baker said. I think it's important to have gun ownership rights.
The organization occasionally allies with other groups such as the College Republicans, but its bipartisan nature keeps the club out of the Democrat-Republican fray.
We are a single-issue group
Baker said.
The club advocates its standpoint largely by sponsoring noted speakers.
Last spring the group brought well-known political analyst Ann Coulter to campus, and it has hosted numerous other pro-gun personalities such as conservative Seattle talk show host Kirby Wilbur, University of Akron sociology professor Brian Pendleton and economist John Lott.
And Roush said he hopes to bring once-pro wrestler Jim Ultimate Warrior Hellwig to campus next quarter.
The group also organizes debates and forums to get the controversial issue out in the open.
People want to argue with emotions
Roush said. But I want people to know the facts.
Tonight the Second Amendment Club is offering another opportunity for gun enthusiasts, opponents and fence-sitters alike to learn more about the topic.
Kim Rife, co-founder of the Central Ohio Pink Pistols, will speak at 7 p.m. in Baker University Center's 1954 Lounge. Pink Pistols is a LGBT gun-owners organization with more than 35 chapters nationwide.
Roush said the club chose this speaker to challenge the notion that gun owners are an all-white
male
country-boy club.
This club is open to anyone who wants to come
he said.
Members said tonight's speaker also demonstrates that pro-gun does not mean anti-gay.
I've never understood why
but there's always been a rift between the Second Amendment Club and LGBT groups on campus
Baker said. We all want the same things - we want to be able to live our lives.
