The number of guns registered with Safety and Security at Dartmouth has declined steadily over the past several years, largely as a result of a nationwide decline in shooting sports over the same period.
Safety and Security is responsible for keeping records of all guns on campus, as well as for storing them while not in use.
S&S Officer Lauren Cummings '72 said the department stores "mostly personal sporting arms," owned by both college organizations and individuals, although they also have some firearms owned by the Dartmouth ROTC program.
While he would not specify the exact number of guns registered with Safety and Security, Cummings said "it's been declining, though I don't know what to attribute that to." Cummings also said guns are less prevalent at Dartmouth than when he was a student.
The popularity of hunting and marksmanship at Dartmouth has been dropping since the 1970s, though the Dartmouth Bait and Bullet club has maintained a presence on campus over the years despite declining interest in its activities.
Mark Hill '00, an active member of Bait and Bullet, said the club is trying to increase its membership, but "hunting is a dying sport, especially among upper-middle-class suburban kids."
DOC General Manager David Hooke '84 said the club is "very low key," and added "they have not been very active this term."
Hill said he believes a prejudice against guns in many middle- class suburban families is another cause for the declining interest in Bait and Bullet. "That's hurting our club," he said.
Since the recent shootings at Columbine High School in Littleton, Col., issues of gun safety and gun control have once again returned to the national forum, though these issues have been controversial for years.
The College does not allow guns to be kept in any campus residence halls or other buildings, including Greek houses, overnight, although Cummings said students who keep firearms with S&S can sign them out at any time.
Hooke said while Bait and Bullet owns guns, he keeps a list of those students who are allowed to sign them out. There are about 20 to 25 students who can use the club's firearms, he said.
Most gun-related activities done either independently by Dartmouth students or through Bait and Bullet, include trips to the College Grant for hunting or to other locations for target practice.
Daniel Boone '00 said he stores a gun given to him last year by a graduating senior, although he has not taken it out of storage this year.
Boone said he owns guns at home, but he believes that guns on campus are "not that prevalent."
Cummings said that only "a few kids" store their own weapons with Safety and Security, while most of the weapons belong to Bait and Bullet and ROTC.
