On American gun culture
It’s not always what you think
This week, Mark Harvey, 97Percent’s newest board member, writes about his experiences as a sport shooting competitor and firearms instructor, and what brought him to 97Percent.
A few years back, I was at the USA Shooting shotgun national championship, watching an International Trap squad finish their round, when one of the shooters had a malfunction with his trigger. Without hesitation, someone waiting for his round to start pulled the trigger from his gun and offered it up so the shooter could finish the round. This wasn’t just any other competitor; it was one of the top shooters there, who went on to the finals and earned a spot on the national team. How many other sports are there where your competition goes out of their way to help you?
At another point in that match, during one of my rounds, a strong storm blew in. It’s an outdoor sport, so we’re used to competing in rough conditions. We had about four targets left to go when someone on the squad raised their hand to alert the marshal to lightning in the distance. We immediately called a ceasefire and offered shelter to each other in nearby cars to ensure everyone was safe. It didn’t take an order from the Range Master or Range Safety Officer; we all took responsibility for each other’s safety and felt confident to act on a ceasefire that anyone called.
These are just two small examples of the “gun culture” I grew up in. From the time I learned to shoot when I was five, to shooting rifle matches as a teenager and becoming a range safety officer, shotgun instructor, and active competitor in the years that followed, I’ve been privileged to be surrounded by safe and responsible shooters who share their knowledge and passion for the art, science, and sport of firearms. People that go out of their way to be welcoming while firmly committed to safety on and off the range. It’s led to great friendships, experiences, and many opportunities to see people develop a passion for the sport.
Unfortunately, gun ownership in the U.S. comes with a much darker side, too. Today, it’s impossible to be a responsible gun owner without recognizing the catastrophic toll that gun violence takes on families and communities. Especially the historically disadvantaged and underrepresented communities that bear a vastly disproportionate share of gun violence and its aftermath. The culture of responsibility, service, and safety should be central to identifying ways to reduce suicides, homicides, and shootings. I am thrilled to be a part of 97Percent because it is focused on exactly this challenge: bringing people together to find practical ways to reduce gun violence.
While I’ve had many positive experiences with firearms throughout my life, I’ve also experienced how hard it is for public safety professionals to secure their communities from irresponsible gun owners. I’ve lost colleagues to gun violence, responded to mass shootings, and seen the lasting toll on families who have lost loved ones at the hands of people who never should have had access to a firearm. I’ve seen where the absence of meaningful laws, sensible restrictions, and robust enforcement has been abused by people to cause harm.
The causes and impacts of gun violence are varied and complex, and soundbite solutions rooted in overly partisan debates have led to many arguments and little progress. 97Percent represents a real path forward to make progress on gun violence. We know that there are no easy answers and no single solution. Being a firearms instructor, I know that education and training are vital to encourage safe firearms handling. As a national security official, I also know that good data can inform effective solutions. That’s why I look forward to working with 97Percent to help combine data, education, and practice to show where we can make meaningful enhancements to public safety that build on the culture of safety and responsibility I grew up around. Just like at the national championships, gun owners know when to help out, and we all count on each other for the safety of everyone. —Mark Harvey, 97Percent Board Member