Local Sheriff Department Shows Gun Safety to Youth
By: Jade Cunningham
Updated: January 5, 2013
If you're child is looking to learn about guns, look no further than the Caddo Sheriff's Department.
Their "First Gun Course" is a four hour class held at the Sheriff's Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy.
Those between eight and 12 years old can learn many things about firearms, including basic safety.
Each child is then taught how to properly fire their .22 caliber weapon.
Instructor, Corporal Jim Dunn, hopes those who attended will teach others the lessons they learned.
"Learn a little more about the destructive nature of a firearm," said Dunn. "How it needs to be treated with respect, and that there are safety rules to follow. Preventing any tragedy with firearms is our major goal."
Between 16-18 of Shreveport's youth attended the "First Gun Course". However, why was it important for them to go? Well, there's no question that 9 year old Caleb Landers likes guns. And when word got to his uncle, Mike Fitzgerald, about the class, he knew Caleb should go.
"I just think at a young age, you need to teach them to handle a gun, and safely," Fitzgerald says.
"My mom said as long as Uncle Mike's with you and he's helping you, and that I trust you."
Even though gun safety is one of the first things that's taught in their family, Fitzgerald knew the course would help his nephew learn respect and responsibility.
"If kids are exposed to firearms at all, they need to know the proper way to handle a gun, or it's just an accident waiting to happen. Kids are funny. They won't listen to Uncle Mike, but you get a sheriff with a badge teaching them and they listen better."
While the course was both fun and challenging for Caleb, It taught him the most important lesson of all: how to properly use a firearm.
"There was this one white target, and I kept missing it because it was so little, it was hard to hit. But we also go to shoot at balloons," said Caleb. "I learned if you see a gun, you should always leave the room and go tell an adult so they can handle it."
He wants to let other children know, there's nothing to be afraid of.
"I believe that if they're scared of them now, then they'll keep developing that fear and they won't get rid of that fear. But they just have to face it."
If you have questions, or would like your child to learn about gun safety, you can call them at 681-0735.
Their "First Gun Course" is a four hour class held at the Sheriff's Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy.
Those between eight and 12 years old can learn many things about firearms, including basic safety.
Each child is then taught how to properly fire their .22 caliber weapon.
Instructor, Corporal Jim Dunn, hopes those who attended will teach others the lessons they learned.
"Learn a little more about the destructive nature of a firearm," said Dunn. "How it needs to be treated with respect, and that there are safety rules to follow. Preventing any tragedy with firearms is our major goal."
Between 16-18 of Shreveport's youth attended the "First Gun Course". However, why was it important for them to go? Well, there's no question that 9 year old Caleb Landers likes guns. And when word got to his uncle, Mike Fitzgerald, about the class, he knew Caleb should go.
"I just think at a young age, you need to teach them to handle a gun, and safely," Fitzgerald says.
"My mom said as long as Uncle Mike's with you and he's helping you, and that I trust you."
Even though gun safety is one of the first things that's taught in their family, Fitzgerald knew the course would help his nephew learn respect and responsibility.
"If kids are exposed to firearms at all, they need to know the proper way to handle a gun, or it's just an accident waiting to happen. Kids are funny. They won't listen to Uncle Mike, but you get a sheriff with a badge teaching them and they listen better."
While the course was both fun and challenging for Caleb, It taught him the most important lesson of all: how to properly use a firearm.
"There was this one white target, and I kept missing it because it was so little, it was hard to hit. But we also go to shoot at balloons," said Caleb. "I learned if you see a gun, you should always leave the room and go tell an adult so they can handle it."
He wants to let other children know, there's nothing to be afraid of.
"I believe that if they're scared of them now, then they'll keep developing that fear and they won't get rid of that fear. But they just have to face it."
If you have questions, or would like your child to learn about gun safety, you can call them at 681-0735.
Comments
Very proud of my buddy Caleb! :)
Allan A.
January 7, 2013 at 9:37 am
