Professor to host concealed weapon course

Shots will fly as five members of UT's College Republicans attend a concealed weapons course this weekend.

This day-long seminar will begin with a lecture explaining how to legally conceal and carry a firearm. The students will then demonstrate their shooting abilities with live ammunition at a shooting range.

If their aim is accurate, participants who are 21 years old and up will be licensed to carry a concealed firearm in Ohio.

This is the second time the College Republicans will have the opportunity to learn about carrying a concealed firearm.

Scott Mazzola, Doug Dettert, Drew Ashcraft, Patrick Richardson and Beth Mellinger will be exercising their right to bear arms Saturday.

Mellinger, a senior majoring in communication, was an attendee of the previous course and is looking forward to another chance to shoot.

"I had so much fun and learned so much [at the first course]," Mellinger said in an email. "I think this definitely helped our group feel more unified because we were able to bond over taking full advantage of our rights."

This session will be hosted by Brian Patrick, associate professor of communication and gun enthusiast, at his Michigan residence. Patrick is known for his advocacy for the Second Amendment from his appearance on Tom Gresham's radio show, "Gun Talk" and his book "The National Rifle Association and the Media: The Motivating Force of Negative Coverage."

These concealed carrying courses aren't the only pro-gun events the College Republicans have hosted.

"The [College Republicans] go recreational shooting pretty frequently," Mellinger said. "I've always valued the Bill of Rights and tried to keep their importance relevant to my own life."

Mellinger said anyone interested in shooting with the group is more than welcome to contact the College Republicans and come along.

"I think that anyone that loves their freedom as an American would enjoy this course," she said. "Knowledge of proper firearm use is something that all Americans should have, even if they choose to not exercise their right."