As an outsider to gun culture, my experience at the Richmond Rod and Gun Club was full of surprises and even changed my perspective on guns and the people that use them. This is a three-part audio series that documents my first impressions, my failures and achievements in my hunting education class.
Below is an excerpt from the audio:
“I walk into the community center and two friendly old men greet me. One asks if I want to sign up for a hunting education class. I glance up and see deer and moose heads on the wall. I try to imagine my tiny, fragile self out there. Man versus wild.
“Then I tell them, ‘I’m not ready to kill an animal.’”
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Thanks for the piece, and for approaching this with an open mind to firearms. Have you considered adding more photos, perhaps a slide show?
Hi Felix,
I would like to show more pictures in my next post and a slide show is a good idea.
Thanks for listening.
The first part was good. I am a Life member of Richmond Rod and Gun. Tell Mr. Gunnison that I approve. Curtis
I visited the R&G Club a few times back in the 80s and 90s with my father-in-law who was a member. I found the membership to be mostly nice working-class white folks. But I was disgusted by the open racism displayed by a few members. One incident I remember in particular: I was sitting at a table during a raffle and when a rifle was produced as a prize one of my table mates commented that it would make a nice “n****** shooter.” That got a good laugh from those in earshot. I hope that attitudes have changed since then and that younger members today wouldn’t perpetuate the behavior of their elders.