Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on Oct. 17 for a unique college program that is the first of its kind. On Tuesday, the Murray State College Board of Regents made a giant leap toward being the only higher ed institution to offer a Bachelor of Applied Technology in Gunsmithing program.
The Oklahoma college and its students will benefit from a landmark $10 million investment by state lawmakers into the gunsmithing program.
It is a natural outgrowth of a longstanding partnership between the institution and the National Rifle Association (NRA). Since 1994, the campus has provided both gunsmithing and law enforcement armorer training programs.
Now it is poised to be a landmark in the prestigious weapons industry the U.S. is fortunate to have. Without this industry, the free exercise of Second Amendment rights would not be possible, and the nation would not enjoy the advanced weapons technology that it currently possesses.
The program also distinguishes Oklahoma from several of its brethren — California, New York, Massachusetts, Illinois and New Jersey immediately come to mind — who are intent on eradicating gun rights.
Credit also goes to the Oklahoma State Board of Regents for backing the school’s effort. Administrators lobbied state lawmakers last spring to get behind greatly expanding the existing program to encompass a four-year degree program.
This in turn could transform Oklahoma into a hub for the powerful firearms industry, bringing jobs and an expanded tax base.
Murray State College President Tim Faltyn explained, “The idea was this as 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.”
In the previous two-year program for gunsmithing, Murray State admitted 30 students annually. The lure of a four-year degree will likely lead to stronger admissions and a deeper talent pool for the gun industry.
