Town of Fillmore promotes firearm safety

FILLMORE -- In an effort to promote firearm safety, the Fillmore Town Council will be sponsoring an NRA (National Rifle Association) approved firearms safety course on June 6. The course will be open to the general public and will be taught on the property of Bob Tyler, a Fillmore resident.

The course will cover basic storing, operation and safety of a wide assortment of muzzle loaded firearms, rifles, shotguns and handguns. The class takes approximately four hours and will begin at 1 a.m. Those who complete the course will be presented with NRA certificates for firearms home safety.

After the course, a firing range will be made available for additional supervised instruction. Food and drinks will be provided for those attending.

The cost of the course will be $15 for NRA manuals and materials. The NRA certified instructors will be volunteering their time. Voluntary donations will be accepted to help defray the cost of the food.

In preparation for the Firearm Safety Course, four Fillmore residents travelled to Northern Indiana at their own expense for instructor training. On March 14 Jeff Osborn (Town Council President), Wes Terhune (Town Council), Steve Bunten (resident) and Gary Shircliff (resident) took part in an extensive NRA Instructor Certification Course and successfully completed the NRA Instructor Certification Exam.

"These Firearms Home Safety courses normally cost $65 or more, but we wanted to make firearms safety education affordable for everyone," Osborn said. "This course is open to the general public -- you don't have to be a Fillmore resident to take advantage of the discounted course price."

He emphasized that the course was for entire families.

"Adults and children are encouraged to take this firearms safety course," Osborn said. "Most problems with firearms occur because of recklessness and ignorance. Education on firearms safety is the best way to prevent such problems."

Law enforcement officials from several local agencies will be present during the course. Firearms demonstrations are also planned as a part of the day's activities.

To register for Fillmore's NRA approved Firearms Home Safety Course, stop by Fillmore Town Hall at 2 N. Main Street or go online at www.fillmoreindiana.com and fill out the online registration form.