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"We chose (the name) Colonial Militia to knock on the Colonial Army, but also the militia is basically what won this country," Stauff said. "We are the Colonials here, so why not expand upon that?"
The Colonial Militia has not yet been approved as an official student organization, as GW officials continue to demand that the club require members undergo background checks before they can go to a shooting range in Virginia.
"We had a meeting two days (after the Virginia Tech. incident) and put out a statement to the club members on Facebook. One of the main reasons for this group is education," Stauff said.
The club plans to hold debates about guns rights, pass out pamphlets and provide for an interest not served on campus.
"College Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, none of them have actually made Second Amendment rights an issue." Breza said. "Right now with everything going on with D.C. guns rights issues it's a great time to raise awareness," .
There is currently debate in the District about a 1977 D.C. law banning private ownership of handguns. In March, a federal appeals court argued that the Second Amendment which allows the right to bear arms, does not exclusively apply to militias and banning private ownership of handguns is violating that amendment. The city is appealing this decision, arguing that public safety is a primary concern.
"There are a lot of people on campus who have never actually heard a rational, intelligent person discussing the benefits of gun rights and ownership," Breza said. "There are a lot of people from big cities where the only people who have guns are criminals and cops. There are many people who have never grown up with an ethic of responsible gun ownership. And there are those that have. We encourage anyone to show up."
