Perry Police Department offering women, senior citizen firearm safety classes

PERRY — The Perry Police Department will host two firearm safety classes geared towards women and senior citizens later this month. 

Police Chief Alan Everidge said the department often receives requests from people who live alone or are curious about how to shoot. In response, the department hosts classes multiple times a year and tailors them to different groups. 

Everidge said women often feel intimidated alongside men, leading the department to add a women’s-only class. 

In the classes, students learn the process of owning a firearm. Instructors will talk about state laws on carrying and concealing, and fundamentals, from loading and unloading to marksmanship. 

Attendees will also learn gun safety, risks, and when to use a firearm. 

Everidge said they want attendees to understand the law and what to do in certain situations. 

The program ends with attendees going to the shooting range to put their lessons into practice. 

“It’s an opportunity to become familiar with the laws, firearm safety skills and basic gun handling skills so they can be a little more comfortable,” he said. 

Everidge said previous students become engaged and proficient in their firearm skills, while others realize it is not for them. Programs are for the public, and another way the police department gives back.

The police department noticed that both groups have a willingness to learn about firearms for different reasons. Everidge said that senior citizens may experience issues that their younger classmates don’t have, like arthritis in their hands or vision problems.

Everidge has heard stories from widows whose husbands had a handgun, but they are afraid of touching it. He said in some cases, they hear a noise in their house and want to defend themselves, but they are scared of using the firearm. 

“What we try to do is help people learn if they’re going to have [a firearm,] how to be safe with one,” he said. 

When the program first started, the department only hosted classes for women. Men were interested in attending as well. Later, the department started a class for seniors. 

Everidge said the women and senior citizen classes are the most attended. 

“We try our best every day to figure out ways that we can help and serve our community. … This is a way that we can help teach the people in our community safety with a firearm, safety around their own home. It’s just another community outreach,” he said.

Everidge said the classes provide valuable information.

“We think this is a great tool and a great class for those to attend. We can help answer those questions and take away a little bit of that nervousness,” he said. 

The Women’s Firearm Safety class will be on Tuesday, April 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Range time is Saturday, May 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Senior Citizen Firearm Safety class will start on Thursday, April 30, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Range time is Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The classes take place at the Perry Police Department, 1207 Washington Street. The shooting range is located at 261 Toomer Road. 

Attendees must provide their own handgun, ammo and ear protection. 

The deadline to register is on Friday, April 24. 

To find out more information and to register, click here.