The 2024 Summer Olympics was hosted in Paris, France this year with many different sports being competed including gymnastics, swimming, and many more, but one that some were very intrigued by included Olympic shooting. Olympic shooting includes pistol shooting as well as skeet shooting and was first introduced into the Olympics in 1896. The official website of the Olympic Games states, “Except for the 1904 and 1928 Olympic Games, shooting sports have been included at every Summer Olympic Games since Athens in 1896. The number of events has changed from one edition of the Games to the next, increasing from five in 1896 to 15 today.” Ever since then, the sport has slowly gotten more and more popular, but this a sport that I’ve been very familiar with as a result of growing up around my grandpa who has been very involved with the skeet shooting sport for years and decided to hand over that passion to me at a young age.

Trap shooting is an excellent way to hone your skills if hunting is a passion you pursue. This summer, Francisca Crovetto Chadid claimed the gold medal in the women’s skeet shooting finals, with Amber Jo Rutter finishing as runner-up. Skeet and trap shooting, both as a sport and a recreational activity, have a long-standing history. Decades ago, Charles Davis, known for inventing ruffed grouse hunting, would practice shooting during the off-season, mostly for enjoyment. Alongside his friend William Foster, Davis created a game called “Shooting Around the Clock,” which sparked greater interest in shooting as a pastime.

Since those early days, what was once merely a hobby has evolved into a recognized sport, eventually becoming part of the Olympic Games. Today, many individuals find deep passion in competitive shooting. The sport has gained popularity across various age groups, and more recently, high school students have begun taking it up in their free time. Many schools now offer shooting programs, allowing students to pursue this interest as part of their extracurricular activities. Slowly but steadily, the sport has been growing in popularity and is becoming a more widely recognized competitive outlet.

Throughout history, firearms have played a significant role in shaping human events. The first recorded use of a firearm dates back to 1364, though the origins of gunpowder can be traced even further. In 850 A.D., Chinese alchemists were credited with the accidental discovery of explosives, which would later evolve into the foundation of gunpowder. By the 13th century, more modern firearms began to spread, signaling a major shift in warfare and societal practices. Notably, the European explorer Marco Polo utilized firearms during his expeditions, helping to establish trade relations between the Mongol Empire and the Republic of Venice.

As firearms became more sophisticated, their presence in military conflicts grew. One of the earliest documented uses of guns in warfare occurred during the Battle of Crécy on August 26th, 1346. This marked a pivotal moment in military history, as firearms began to supplement traditional weaponry on the battlefield. Over time, guns became integral to warfare, hunting, and sport. Their evolution and widespread use influenced many societies’ social and cultural fabric, embedding firearms deeply within various aspects of daily life.

In America, however, guns have become a topic of intense controversy for years, where some people have the desire to ban guns in America while others spend their months in the cold searching for a good hunting season. There have been countless debates on whether guns are the problem in America and I’ve stumbled across many advertisements to sign petitions all over social media on banning the use of guns, however, I believe no matter how many petitions people make, there will always be a select group of people that disagree with the ban of firearms. In my view, banning guns in America isn’t a justified ruling in this country, and I make this statement because the popular sport of hunting is greatly cherished in this country, however, this is also a biased opinion and I state this because I grew up with my grandfather hunting, and still currently hunting, for years and he finds a great passion in this sport even though I don’t quite associate myself with hunting as much as I did when I was juvenile. Not only do people find a deep passion for hunting, but firearms of some sort can be very advantageous in riding the safety of families. Now, that statement can be counteracted very quickly with the knowledge that school shootings in America have been a problem for decades. Now do I believe guns should be banned in this country? No, and I dictate this because people have turned the use of firearms into a sport over the years, however, I contend that the people of this country have abused the right and privilege to carry a gun.

The Washington Post calculated that there had been around 417 school shootings ever since the Columbine High School Massacre. Some articles hold the belief that The Columbine High School Massacre and the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting have been some of the deadliest recorded within the past 25 years. Collectively, it was recorded that 40 people were dead. I along with various numbers of others hold the belief that guns have been a problem in America for many years. Students in school shouldn’t have to feel like they need to bring bulletproof backpacks, and elementary-level kids must learn to understand why their parents prohibit light-up shoes. In my viewpoint, guns should be distributed much more carefully. Completely banning the use of guns wouldn’t be very effective, it would be similar to banning drugs in America where people would easily find ways around the rule made nationwide, plus, I believe hunting is a big sport in the U.S. and is something many enjoy and have a passion for, however, guns being more carefully distributed would be more efficient. How would this happen?

Just recently, former President Donald J. Trump was a victim once again of an attempt at his assassination at his golf course on September, 15th, 2024 in Palm Beach, Florida. According to CNN,  “A Secret Service agent spotted a rifle barrel with a scope sticking out of the fence of the golf course and “immediately engaged” with the person, Bradshaw said. The agent who spotted the rifle, Bradshaw said, is part of a team that stays a hole or two ahead of Trump on the course.” It had been discovered later that the suspect had a box in his home, which inside contained a letter with the opening, “Dear world.”  He later on says that this was an attempt at an assassination against Trump, but had failed. He also claimed to have offered 150,000 dollars to someone who would complete the mission. This assassination attempt is not the first of Trump’s, in July of 2024, the former president was shot in the ear during one of his speeches, the damage wasn’t fatal but he was sent to the hospital urgently after the fact.

While the debate surrounding gun rights continues to ignite passionate arguments on both sides, it’s crucial to find a balance that preserves constitutional rights while prioritizing public safety. Firearms are a part of American heritage; for many, they are integral to sports, hunting, and personal protection. Banning guns outright would not only alienate millions of responsible gun owners but also undermine traditions like Olympic shooting, skeet competitions, and lawful hunting. However, this does not negate the need for stringent safety measures. Stricter background checks, mandatory training programs, and secure storage laws could significantly reduce firearm misuse while allowing law-abiding citizens to continue exercising their Second Amendment rights. Responsible ownership should be the focal point of the conversation, ensuring that firearms remain in the hands of those trained and prepared for their use—both for sport and protection.

Works Consulted

Olympics.com

PBS.org

Fox7Austin.com

History.com

Washingtonpost.com

CNN.com