The University of Kentucky’s Turning Point USA chapter hosted a guest speaker to discuss firearm rights and safety during “More Than a Right: Understanding the Second Amendment.”
Paige Roux, a firearm instructor and TPUSA’s self-proclaimed “gun girl,” spoke to organization members and attendees in the Gatton Student Center on Wednesday, Nov. 19, about her experience with firearms.
Roux said she has been shooting guns since she was 4 years old, as her family owns one of the largest indoor gun ranges in Arizona.
“I kind of just thought everyone owned guns. I thought guns were part of every household,” Roux said. “I compare it to, like, on the weekends, you go to your family’s restaurant to work or after school, you know, you work in the family business. Mine was just a gun range.”
Initially, Roux said she hadn’t planned to work in the firearm industry, as she wanted to go to college to be a wedding planner.
However, there was a gap in the need for female firearm instructors and resources for women interested in concealed carry, according to Roux, inspiring her to begin her career in the industry.
“I really wanted to get more ladies involved in firearms, and it can be really scary, intimidating,” Roux said.
During the event, Roux said she wanted to discuss with attendees rather than lecture, asking them about their experiences, knowledge and beliefs regarding firearms.
Roux quizzed the audience about safety rules, saying it was their responsibility to pass on knowledge and respect for firearms, as that is “how the Second Amendment will be saved.”
Will Greiwe, a freshman psychology major at UK, said that while he had some experience with guns, he was able to learn more about the issues surrounding firearms at the event.
“I had no idea about the red flag laws they were talking about,” Greiwe said. “I thought that was a interesting perspective to learn about and kind of formulate my own thoughts about.”
With Roux’s lecture being his first TPUSA event, Greiwe said the experience was “refreshing,” as it encouraged people to talk about what they believed in, something he said has been denormalized for both sides of the political spectrum.
“At events like these, you don’t know what people believe, and everybody’s so open about what they believe,” Greiwe said. “I think that’s really beneficial. It’s a lot healthier.”
On a personal level, Greiwe said the event gave him more confidence in firearms and safety.
“Just being aware of all the safety precautions and, you know, like she (Roux) said, she’s still in training, but she has so much experience at the same time,” Greiwe said. “It’s good to know that you will always be in training with that kind of thing.”
Roux was unavailable for comment after the event and the Kentucky Kernel was told that TPUSA members were not allowed to speak with the media.