News : Firearms classes now offered free to law enforcement spouses

A course for Iowans to obtain or renew their Permit to Carry Weapons has been scheduled in the area. The four hour course covers handgun safety, gun handling, carry options, situational awareness, interaction with law enforcement, use of force, and state and federal laws. The course teaches students how to be safe and efficient with a firearm for personal protection. It is not intended to teach tactics or shooting techniques. There is no exam or range qualification. Upon completion, attendees will be eligible to apply for their Iowa and Arizona (non-resident) permits which will allow them to legally carry in 38 states.

Those who are renewing their permit may take the class within one your of their expiration date. Applications for renewal must be submitted to the Sheriff at least 30 days prior to the expiration date.

Approved handgun safety training courses will be held in the Benton County area:

Monday, September 21 from 6 to 10 at the Vinton Fire Station

Sunday, October 18 from 1 to 5 at the Vinton Fire Station

Wednesday, November 18 from 6 to 10 at the Vinton Fire Station

Cost of the class is $60 which includes one year membership in the NRA ($35 value). Show your current NRA membership card and save $10. Pre-registration is requested to assure adequate course materials. The course is FREE for spouses of law enforcement officers.

Tom Boeckmann, President of IA Firearms Training, recently changed the company policy to offer the class free of charge to spouses of law enforcement officers. Boeckmann said “there are many people in our community who are dedicated to helping others and keeping us safe. Firefighters, EMS providers, correctional officers, medical staff and others go out of their way to provide a much needed service and I appreciate every one of them. But, law enforcement officers are under attack in this country and I want to do what I can to help protect their families. Starting September 1, 2015, I will no longer charge tuition to spouses of law enforcement officers.”

Many say that a law enforcement tragedy couldn’t occur in a small, rural area like Benton County. Boeckmann would like to remind people that the last two officers murdered in Iowa were Jamie Buenting in Rockwell City (population 1709) on September 13, 2013 and Eric Stein in Keokuk County (population 10,511) on April 4, 2011. Both Rockwell City and Keokuk County are significantly smaller than Vinton and Benton County.

For more information and to register for the class, go to www.IAFirearmsTraining.com or call (319) 310-4724.