By: José Niño
Murray State College officials recently announced that the institute of higher learning will be offering a bachelor’s program in gunsmithing.
Such a program was made possible by a $10 million legislative investment and has the support from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
In the spring of 2023, campus officials went to legislative leaders to persuade them that expanding the school’s gunsmithing program to a four-year degree program could potentially turn Oklahoma into an attractive spot for the gun industry to set up shop in.
“The idea was this is an investment in an industry that can locate in our state, and regionally, we have the ability distribution-wise to become a powerhouse in this,” Murray State College President Tim Faltyn stated during an interview.
The funding for this program received overwhelming support in the state legislature. Since 1979, Murray State College offered the gunsmithing program. The school admits 30 students to its two-year degree program on a yearly basis.
Campus officials made the case that the presence of a bachelor’s program for gunsmithing could lead to more students being admitted to the college while also offering them training based on relevant industry trends.
“Gunsmithing is a very old profession, but we’re seeing a major shift toward embracing modern technology,” observed Chad Mercer, Murray State’s gunsmithing program chair. “The industry’s been begging for students to come out of here with some higher, more technical knowledge.”
Under the current two-year program, students learn how to modify firearms, while also learning about the basics of firearms design and repair. However, Mercer noted that the bachelor’s degree curriculum will be developed to align with the needs of the firearms industry. According to a report by The Oklahoman, gun manufacturers are constantly looking for graduates who possess digital skills in areas such as 3-D printing and laser welding.
Per a 2021 report from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives there are 138 gun manufacturers operating in Oklahoma. This represents an over fourfold increase from 2011, when there were 33 gun manufacturers in the state.
The expansion of Murray State’s gunsmithing program is projected to cost roughly $19 million. The college plans on using the $10 million in new state funding to construct a 47,000-square-foot building for the gunsmithing program.
As of now, college officials are calling for donations for the remaining funding that is needed to hire three new gunsmithing instructors and buy new equipment.
Enrollment for the gunsmithing program is expected to start in the fall of 2023, and students could begin their studies as soon as the spring of 2024.
Oklahoma Second Amendment Association President Don Spencer was ecstatic about the creation of Murray State’s gunsmithing program.
However, Spencer believes that state lawmakers could do more to attract additional firearm manufacturers.
“They need to get away from who’s making batteries to who’s making ammunition,” Spencer stated, making a reference to legislative attempts to draw in Panasonic to construct a large electric vehicle battery plant close to Tulsa.
The creation of the gunsmithing program at Murray State College is a welcome development. After all, academia in the United States is mired with anti-gun propaganda and other academic programs designed to demonize lawful gun ownership.
So it’s a breath of fresh air to see lawmakers help fund programs that perpetuate the right to bear arms. Other Republican-controlled states should follow in Oklahoma’s footsteps by creating and expanding gunsmithing programs in their respective colleges and universities. It’s one of the best ways to combat anti-gun influence in academic institutions.
José Niño is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas. Contact him via Facebook, Twitter, or email him at [email protected]. Get his e-book, The 10 Myths of Gun Control, here.