GUNS ARE FOR EVERYBODY: LIKE AMERICA ITSELF, GUN OWNERS ARE A VARIED BUNCH WHOSE POLITICS AND EXPERIENCES DON'T CONFORM TO ANY NARRATIVE.

• Position: Interview

STEPAN GENERALOV

CLINTON, UTAH

Custom-built M16A4 clone (5.56x45 mm)

"I FIRST STARTED as a skateboarder, but then I learned about parkour. In parkour there was this whole philosophical movement, no joke, about building yourself as a stronger, better individual. One of the sayings that I think very well displays the philosophy behind pretty much everything I do, it goes like this: To be strong to be useful. To be strong to serve. There was a moment in my life when I decided that I am a person that is for progress--for good and against evil.

"It's not just about being able to run fast, or jump obstacles, or jump from big heights. It's also that sometimes you cannot just run away. Maybe there's someone with you, like your girlfriend or a kid that needs protection, and they cannot run away, because they're not as fast as you. What are you gonna do? You're gonna fight.

"When I started shooting, I thought, Hey, I can handle this. It's a better weapon than my fists. This works on bigger distances, can stop a threat even without actually engaging them--just by showing it--and stuff like that.

"I heard that kung fu should be translated as--how do you say it in English?--'the way of the work,' 'the way of the labor.' Basically it means the way of someone who works hard toward the goal that's maybe not very achievable, but the way itself is the purpose. It's always about getting better. It's always about being safer, being a better person. And really, shooting is just another martial art for me. It's just my kung fu. It is a discipline.

"I know there's a danger always to it. I know sometimes people are not very responsible. But that's the case with really every aspect of life."

ALEX LEVICOFF

WYNCOTE, PENNSYLVANIA

Marlin Glenfield Model 25 (.22LR) (not pictured)

"MY FAVORITE TYPE of shooting is bench shooting, where you set up your rifle with a bipod or a filled sandbag or something--basically keep it stationary with very fine adjustments while you're holding it--to shoot long ranges. Think, colloquially, sniping. I want a little piece of paper or a small steel gong about 100-500 yards away from me and just put holes in that paper and make the steel ping a lot. For me it's a nice place to focus. To sit, be introspective, almost zen out, get into myself, and just enjoy doing something on my own.

"One of the rifles I do not yet own is an AR-15-pattern rifle. The wonderful young lady I live with is averse to me building or buying an AR-15-pattern rifle...