LIFESTYLE: A weekly look at student life - Young Guns

University students taking matters into their own hands is nothing new -- but recently, some students' initiative has found a new and creative outlet. The recent outbreak of violence near campus, coupled with past incidents of crime, has motivated some University students to take advantage of the Second Amendment and arm themselves. Recent months have seen criminals go so far as to pry the bars off windows to gain entry to off-campus houses, or to rob a student with an Uzi automatic assault rifle on a busily-populated street. And there are those students who believe they can no longer rely on the police to protect them, and prefer to take their safety into their own hands. In an effort to protect themselves and their property, students said they have purchased guns, some keeping the weapons loaded and near their beds at night. While these gun owners enjoy spending their free time out in the wild hunting game or shooting skeet, they believe the skills they are honing could easily be used to save their lives. President and co-founder of the Penn Sporting Club Dan Spears has a 12-gauge shotgun at his 39th and Pine streets house for "home protection." The Wharton senior keeps the gun loaded at all times, but it is not locked away so, it is available in case of an emergency. "All I have to do is close the chamber," Spears said. "I don't live in fear. "Crime is bad in this neighborhood," he added. "To not adequately protect yourself is asinine." Co-founder and Treasurer of the Penn Sporting Club Stefan Gerhard also keeps a 12-gauge shotgun loaded and hidden in his room for protection. "Some kid got shot right outside our door," the Wharton senior said. "Not that much crime is really happening, but what if it is you? "I am not paranoid," he continued. "I am not afraid." Gerhard said he is prepared to use his shotgun to stop an intruder but that that situation would probably not arise while he lives in this area. "[The shotgun] wouldn't be in my room if I wasn't committed to use it," he said. "From the outset, you have to have the mindset to use it." Reverend Joseph Turner of the Peace and Justice Commission said he is strongly in favor of the banning of assault weapons, but student ownership of handguns and rifles is not a problem "as long as they are properly licensed." In light of the murder of graduate student Al-Moez Alimohammed, he said, it is imperative that students have a way to protect themselves from becoming victims. "People need to arm themselves," Turner said. "We are becoming a crime-filled society. He could be the next scholar slain." He said students are "responsible citizens" able to use proper judgment when operating a firearm. But University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich does not agree, and he asks students not to bring guns to West Philadelphia. "We are not encouraging people to bring firearms to the University," said Kuprevich, who said there are no facilities at Public Safety for students to store their weapons. University regulations state that students living on campus are not allowed to have firearms in their residences. Spears said that during his freshman year he would borrow guns from friends living off campus when he wanted to go hunting or practice his shooting accuracy. Gerhard said he had a similar experience, and kept his shotgun with a friend who was not in a dormitory. But Spears said he understands the University's position about students having a gun while living in on-campus housing. He said student safety would be jeopardized if guns could be kept on campus. Spears said the University should provide a place for students to safely store weapons. Both Gerhard and Spears believe that University Police is doing everything it can to combat crime in the area, but that the department is fighting an uphill battle. Gerhard and Spears do not blame University Police for the students having to find their own means of protection. "I think the Penn Police are doing the best job they can given the environment," Gerhard said. "They get way more shit than they deserve. I wish they had more resources." Spears agreed, saying University Police should be better armed because of the sophisticated and powerful guns criminals carry today. He suggested that officers carry nine-millimeter semi-automatic weapons. Guns are not only a means of protection for students, but also an outlet for recreation. College senior and member of the Penn Sporting Club Gabriel Hall said he does not see the reason behind having a gun in the house for security. "It would probably take me just as long to get my gun and load it as it would to call the police," he said. As an owner of a 12-gauge shotgun, Hall uses his weapon mainly to go trap shooting. This sport is similar to skeet shooting, in which people attempt to destroy flying clay targets. "I used to go about two or three times a semester," he said. "It's a challenging sport. It's a lot of fun." Gerhard said the Penn Sporting Club was founded with the mission to bring together students, like Hall, who are interested in the sport of shooting. Although Wharton sophomore and Penn Sporting Club member Jeff Estes does not bring his guns from home to the University, he said he has found the club to be a rewarding experience. "Growing up, [guns were] a part of my life," he said. "For Christmas presents other kids would get toys. I would get guns. "[The Penn Sporting Club is] really trying to spread an appreciation of guns," Estes added. "If a person just wanted to shoot a gun, the club offers an opportunity to try it out." Estes enjoys hunting when he is at home in Texas. "Hunting is a social thing," he said. "There is no adrenaline for the kill." Gerhard said he likes to spend his time in the wild, mainly hunting water fowl and other birds. "It's just fun," he said. "It's not as much killing as it is being part of nature." But Gerhard said hunting is not for everyone. "I hate when you go hunting and there's a wimp who will shoot a bird but not kill it," he said. "And then he won't pull [the bird's] head off." Spears said he is looking forward to finding a little time to spend hunting and skeet shooting at a private club in then area. "It is a competitive sport," Spears said. "It is fun and exhilarating. Hunting is just the best." Firearm instructor Ray Ryan said he sees a number of college students come to the Northeast Philadelphia shooting range where he works. An instructor for 18 years, Ryan said most students who come to the range for practice "know what they're doing." But Ryan added that students should not be using these weapons for protection. "Firearms should be the last thing to resolve a situation," he said. "I don't recommend kids with firearms. They don't have the experience when and when not to use it." Yet Ryan said the shooting range can be a place to release tension and frustration if the weapon is properly handled. "I suggest that when a person comes in they get a lesson for their own safety," Ryan said. The instructor recommended a .22 revolver or semi-automatic pistol for beginners. Such a gun could cost a student between $250 and $300 for a high quality piece. Ryan said registration for a new weapon in Pennsylvania is a complicated process involving a lot of paperwork. To get a permit, a person needs a valid Pennsylvania driver's license and must be a resident, Ryan said. The person's information is then sent to State Police, who conduct routine background checks making sure the individual has had no criminal convictions, he added. The instructor said the entire process can take up to 10 to 14 days. Spears said he has found the gun registration procedure too restrictive, keeping weapons out of the hands of law-abiding citizens. "Nowadays, because of knee-jerk liberals, it gets harder everyday," he said. "They are infringing on my rights to purchase a gun." Staff Writer Gregory Montanaro contributed to this story.