If you walk out of the house and into the world today, and you are not armed with some sort of protection to protect yourself, you are sheep, because there are wolves out there that are going to come for you.”Sgt. David Nunn, instructor
CULLMAN – On Saturday, May 21, the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office held two women’s firearms safety classes. In addition to safety, the classes focused on firearm familiarization. The classes were filled with women of all ages and met at the Sheriff’s Office for a safety briefing. Afterward, the groups went to the firing range on Welti Road and practiced the fundamentals, such as stance, grip, trigger control, sight alignment and breath control.
Both classes, held at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. were full. This report is from the 9 a.m. class.
“I want to become an expert shot,” chuckled Diane Fowler. “I have shot guns before; I want to get updates, rules and safety precautions. Yeah, I think I am going to enjoy this class. I am hoping to improve my aim as well as my intelligence about firearms,” she smiled.
Sgt. David Nunn, an FBI certified firearms instructor and officer with the Cullman County Sheriff’s Department was the day’s instructor. He gave some very valuable safety rules during the morning briefing. They were as follows:
- Treat all firearms as if they were loaded.
- Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy or kill.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to engage a target/threat.
- Always be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
- Always train as if you’re in a gunfight.
- Always have the will to win.
- Learn to run your weapon and train as you live and fight.
- Be justified, think and be alert.
- Never present your weapon unless you are prepared to use it.
“My main goal is to help you defend yourself,” said Nunn. “You’re not here to learn how to shoot cans; you are here to learn how to protect yourself.”
Over 70 million Americans own firearms these days and over half of all households in the United States have guns kept in them. With that freedom though, comes responsibility. Firearm owners and users should take responsibility for the safe handling and safe storage of their guns. Saturday’s safety class was a great start for many women of Cullman County.
“My husband bought me a gun for Mother’s Day and signed me up for this class,” said Sue Griffin. “I haven’t shot the gun yet so I am a little nervous. Guns scare me,” she said as she waited for her turn on the range.
“Well, I used to carry a gun,” Helen Hawkins explained. “When my husband was alive, he was a 100 percent disabled veteran. In 1950 I started taking him to Birmingham and the parking decks down there weren’t all that safe, so I had a gun permit and I carried a gun. I never had to use it. About a month or two ago I went and got another gun permit because I live by myself way out in the country; you know how the country is now,” she furrowed her brow. “I hope I never have to use it; I’ve had it ever since the 1950s. I thought it was a .38, but recently found out it’s not, it is a .32,” she smiled.
Nunn is very passionate about his job as firearms instructor and it shows. He strives to deliver as much information and training as he can in each class he teaches.
“If you walk out of the house and into the world today, and you are not armed with some sort of protection to protect yourself, you are sheep,” Nunn explained, “because there are wolves out there that are going to come for you. I don’t know how else to put it. If you can’t protect yourself, you are going to have to wait for some sheep dog to come along and protect you.”
The analogy rang true with everyone in the class. It helped them to understand their need to protect themselves and their families. At the end of the day most of the ladies had gone from shy and unsure to confident and unafraid of their guns and the situations they might encounter.
The CCSO holds firearms training classes periodically. For more information, call 256- 734-0342.
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