Ravena News
Safety is key to responsible gun ownership
By Hilary Hawke
COXSACKIE — By looking at the petite, slender blonde woman at the front of the room, one would never guess what an expert she is in firearms, especially pistols.
But she soon put anyone’s doubts to rest.
Sarah Hood and her husband had a full class for the mandatory NRA (National Rifle Association) Pistol Course needed by anyone applying to purchase either a concealed or regular pistol.
The reasons for taking the course were as varied as the 20 or so people spending eight hours on a Saturday learning about pistol safety.
One woman was a health care worker in a dangerous part of Albany.
One man wanted the security of knowing he could defend his family if the need ever arose.
Another woman traveled lonely roads at all hours of the night and wanted protection.
A young man owned a business which sometimes required carrying large sums of money.
Whatever the reason, the dedication was clear. At $100 per class, followed by filing out reams of paperwork, soliciting a half dozen references, buying a firearm, going for fingerprinting, getting a pistol permit is a daunting task.
But Hood managed to make it fun.
Most of the information dealt with basic firearm safety, from keeping it unloaded, pointing away from people, and storing it in a safe place, etc.
The difference between pistols and revolvers, semiautomatic, double and single action revolvers, cartridges, magazines, operations and correct handling position were all discussed in great detail.
Of course, the students didn’t actually get to hold the pistols because no one without a permit is legally allowed to handle it.
Still, Hood demonstrated a multitude of firearms brought along for display, and even showed the group an ankle holder which is attached to the ankle and concealed by pants.
Pistol maintenance is an important part of the process, Hood pointed out, saying they should be cleaned after each use.
Also covered were selecting pistols, pistol ammunition and accessories.
Held at the Coxsackie Gun Club on Mansion Street in Coxsackie, everyone who walked into the room at 8 a.m. left after 3 p.m. with a certificate of basic pistol knowledge.
The three main rules emphasized over and over by Hood were keeping the pistol pointed in a safe direction, keeping your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, and making sure the pistol is always unloaded until ready for use.
Other tidbits of information Hood provided were to make sure you had a good strong soap to remove the residue from chemicals in the cartridges and to wash your face with cold water. Know where everyone else is at all times and shoot only at authorized targets.
Pistol owners must also familiarize themselves with a multitude of rules. For example, some permits allow transport of firearms only from the home to a target range, or from home to a hunting expedition.
Others allow for conceal and carry.
Typical firearm commands include load, commence firing and cease fire.
Many people practice “dry” shooting, meaning practicing without cartridges, which can be a big help on the wallet.
From the barrel to the slide, the chamber to the bore, the muzzle to the cylinder, the hammer to the trigger, the frame to the grip, the cylinder to the slide, Hood taught it all.
She had to. She was responsible for participants passing the test at the end of the class.
Everyone passed with flying colors, or so Hood said. Each class member next has to submit reams of paperwork to the county sheriff’s office.
http://www.thedailymail.net/articles/2010/11/04/ravena_news/news/doc4ccef17f6480e211035521.txt
But she soon put anyone’s doubts to rest.
Sarah Hood and her husband had a full class for the mandatory NRA (National Rifle Association) Pistol Course needed by anyone applying to purchase either a concealed or regular pistol.
The reasons for taking the course were as varied as the 20 or so people spending eight hours on a Saturday learning about pistol safety.
One woman was a health care worker in a dangerous part of Albany.
One man wanted the security of knowing he could defend his family if the need ever arose.
Another woman traveled lonely roads at all hours of the night and wanted protection.
A young man owned a business which sometimes required carrying large sums of money.
Whatever the reason, the dedication was clear. At $100 per class, followed by filing out reams of paperwork, soliciting a half dozen references, buying a firearm, going for fingerprinting, getting a pistol permit is a daunting task.
But Hood managed to make it fun.
Most of the information dealt with basic firearm safety, from keeping it unloaded, pointing away from people, and storing it in a safe place, etc.
The difference between pistols and revolvers, semiautomatic, double and single action revolvers, cartridges, magazines, operations and correct handling position were all discussed in great detail.
Of course, the students didn’t actually get to hold the pistols because no one without a permit is legally allowed to handle it.
Still, Hood demonstrated a multitude of firearms brought along for display, and even showed the group an ankle holder which is attached to the ankle and concealed by pants.
Pistol maintenance is an important part of the process, Hood pointed out, saying they should be cleaned after each use.
Also covered were selecting pistols, pistol ammunition and accessories.
Held at the Coxsackie Gun Club on Mansion Street in Coxsackie, everyone who walked into the room at 8 a.m. left after 3 p.m. with a certificate of basic pistol knowledge.
The three main rules emphasized over and over by Hood were keeping the pistol pointed in a safe direction, keeping your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, and making sure the pistol is always unloaded until ready for use.
Other tidbits of information Hood provided were to make sure you had a good strong soap to remove the residue from chemicals in the cartridges and to wash your face with cold water. Know where everyone else is at all times and shoot only at authorized targets.
Pistol owners must also familiarize themselves with a multitude of rules. For example, some permits allow transport of firearms only from the home to a target range, or from home to a hunting expedition.
Others allow for conceal and carry.
Typical firearm commands include load, commence firing and cease fire.
Many people practice “dry” shooting, meaning practicing without cartridges, which can be a big help on the wallet.
From the barrel to the slide, the chamber to the bore, the muzzle to the cylinder, the hammer to the trigger, the frame to the grip, the cylinder to the slide, Hood taught it all.
She had to. She was responsible for participants passing the test at the end of the class.
Everyone passed with flying colors, or so Hood said. Each class member next has to submit reams of paperwork to the county sheriff’s office.
http://www.thedailymail.net/articles/2010/11/04/ravena_news/news/doc4ccef17f6480e211035521.txt
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