Gun ownership down on Dartmouth campus
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.