News Editor

Women who wish to brush up on their personal firearms skills or learn about firearm safety will have that chance this week at a two-day Ladies Firearms Familiarization Course sponsored by the Troy Police Department.

"Troy State University used to have a firearms course similar to this one but it was eliminated," said Sgt. Tim Hunter, an instructor of the course. "We thought there was a need for a program for women to have a course like this. Sometimes husbands or brothers have firearms in the home and women need to be familiar with them."

Hunter said the course has been held at least five times and there has always been a good turnout.

The class begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Municipal Courtroom at the Troy Public Safety Building. The first class will be in a classroom-style setting where participants will watch videos, learn about personal safety using handguns and learn "deadly force" laws. Participants will also learn about traveling with a firearm, different state laws and keeping a firearm at their business. The class is schedules to last four hours.

The second class will be held from 8 a.m. until noon Saturday, May 27 at Troy Police Department’s Firing Range. At the range participants will learn how to use the gun’s safety, load, fire and clean the gun. Hunter said the class will begin using a .22 caliber revolver and work up to a .38 caliber revolver.

"We are not out to make expert marksmen out of anyone," Hunter said. "We want to teach them how to shoot different types of guns and be comfortable with it. We’ll use this class to teach the difference between a revolver, semiautomatic and automatic guns and other useful information."

Hunter said although guns and ammunition will be provided, participants who have their own guns are welcome to bring them. He said if their gun is a caliber other than .22 or .38 they must provide their own ammunition.

"If someone chooses to bring their own gun, it can not be loaded when they bring it," Hunter said. "The gun and the ammunition must be kept separate."

The class is limited to 25 people and so far eight participants have signed up for the course. Hunter said the police department would like to know ahead of time how many will be in the class, however, people can sign up at the class on Thursday night. The fee for the class is $20, which includes ammunition for the guns provided at the class.

If you are interested in participating in the class call the Troy Police Department at 566-6805 ext. 225, and leave a name and number.