Ready… Aim…. Safety!
Local shooters give novices a chance to learn gun safety - and to fire off a few rounds - during a fun day at Koko Head
By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
E-mail this story | Print this page | Archive | RSS
|
While flintlock pistols and muzzle-loading rifles may not find their way onto many high school shooting teams, the people who collect and care for these old weapons are really amateur historians who just happen to enjoy shooting.
“We’re caretakers of history,” says Sheldon Tau, former president and board member of the Hawaii Historic Arms Association. “We don’t alter or don’t do much to refurbish the pieces.”
On display at the shooting fair was a gun used in the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.
You can’t pick up one of these weapons without discovering the history of the piece and of the nation.
Both of which these collector-shooters love to discuss, as when longtime shooter Paul MacKeeby talks about his copy of a Sharp’s 1880s era “elephant rifle.” Though the nickname is familiar, MacKeeby says the gun was developed to hunt buffalo, but that the buffalo were all but extinct by the time the gun came to market and most were sold in Africa.
While sport shooting can be a fun weekend diversion that can even lead to a state championship in high school or an Olympic gold medal, it is the safety lesson being taught that those involved say is the most important lesson.
“It’s the curiosity that puts kids into dangerous situations,” says Norris, who likened the training offered at the shooting fair to what is taught in the Army.
Gordon Oshiro, an HRA member, agreed saying the danger of gun use is reduced by taking away the mystery and by promoting gun safety.
The various shooting clubs get together for formal events about once a month and most are open to the public, so you can try to see if this is the sport for you. The “cowboy shooters” are there on the fourth Sunday of each month and first-time participation is free.
Information on most clubs can be found at the shooting complex website, www.khsc.info
Page 2 of 2 pages for this story < 1 2
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS
Most Recent Comment(s):
