Chief Rocky King, Detective Ken Ritenour and Rep. Eric Watson have joined forces to offer handgun permit classes as a public service to the community. Since the incident in Newtown, Ct., the amount of people wanting to become certified to carry has tripled. There are 8,100 people per month now taking classes in Tennessee.
“There is an old saying ‘It is not the gun it is the person holding the gun,’" said Rep. Watson. "We must not bow to the pressure of the extremist by fearing guns. Our constitution gives us the right to own and use guns in appropriate ways. Proper gun training is important. I am pleased to join in this effort to teach gun safety and therefore make our homes, schools and streets safer."
Chief King commented “Supporting the Second Amendment of the Constitution that gives an individual the right to possess a firearm is very important. I believe the law abiding citizens of the city of Benton and Polk County have the right to protect themselves and their families. Benton Police Department is now a State of Tennessee Certified Handgun Safety School with three certified handgun Instructors, which will provide handgun permit training. I would like thank the partnership of the Benton Police Department and the Cleveland Hunting Rifle and Pistol Club for providing the citizens with this training.”
The partnership has seen the need for more gun safety instruction and is making the training affordable, officials said. The rifle and pistol club will offer the training to the general public. The cost will be a range fee of $5 and those funds will go to the Cleveland Hunting Rifle and Pistol Club for maintenance.
For more information, contact 338-5733 or 339-0939.