Controversial ECs

[plumhill]

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I've participated in shooting competitions throughout undergrad, and I am also training to become an armorer for a couple different companies (just for fun). My advisor told me to be careful about putting this down as a hobby because of gun-related controversies. Is this really something I shouldn't mention?

 

[TooMuchResearch]

It's fine. I'd rather interview the person with an interesting hobby over the standard treasurer for the local college chapter of pre-med fantastico.

 

[Dares Dareson]

What's an armorer?

And while I wouldn't put "shooting guns" as a hobby by itself, if you actually participated in the organized sport of target shooting I think it is okay to put it on there. Especially if you won stuff.

 

[vellez]

Those sound really interesting and cool. They don't seem controversial to me, at all.

 

[mimelim]

I've participated in shooting competitions throughout undergrad, and I am also training to become an armorer for a couple different companies (just for fun). My advisor told me to be careful about putting this down as a hobby because of gun-related controversies. Is this really something I shouldn't mention?

As with most hobbies, a tid bit to open up your application and give it more dimension is fine. If you have accomplished a lot in the hobby, even if it isn't on a competition level, even better. There is nothing controversial about target shooting or hunting for that matter. Obviously different locales will have different levels of enthusiasm than others, but unless you make it a negative, it won't be a negative. I feel a little stupid for having to write this, but you never know... Don't make it a focus or call attention to it. Just list it as a hobby and awards in the awards section. Not a big deal.

I would not bring it up on interviews unless asked and take a relatively conservative approach to answering questions unless it is obvious the interviewer is a fellow enthusiast. I've lost count of the number of times an attending here has invited me quail or deer hunting on weekends and when I tell them that I'm on call and can't (and probably wouldn't) they usually turn and invite the scrub tech.

 

[Medical Bear]

I would list it. Gun ownership encourages responsibility and safety skills which are positive qualities. Plus, this is 'Merica!

 

[Lamel]

I would list it. Gun ownership encourages responsibility and safety skills which are positive qualities. Plus, this is 'Merica!

I think that's reaching. Every time we hear something in the news is when a gun owner was being irresponsible The press around it is pretty bad these days.

 

[plumhill]

What's an armorer? .

Someone who can work on and repair guns, kind of like a gunsmith, but I focus on the guns I use (Browning and Sig Sauer)

 

[Spinach Dip]

I think that's reaching. Every time we hear something in the news is when a gun owner was being irresponsible The press around it is pretty bad these days.

"In other news, 100,000,000 gun owners in the US did NOT shoot another human today."

-Things which the media will never say.

 

[Lamel]

"In other news, 100,000,000 gun owners in the US did NOT shoot another human today."

-Things which the media will never say.

Well, yeah, exactly. The controversial items will rise to the surface.

 

[Axes]

I'd like to think Admissions Committee Members are educated people who can tell the difference between a backwoods gun nut and a responsible adult with an interesting hobby. Like other posters I think you'll be fine talking about this as an activity you have really enjoyed!

 

[ZedsDed]

Life is political, conduct yourself accordingly.