Erin Fletcher
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Sep 01/03) - Two firearms safety courses might be the answer to some small community access problems.

The non-restricted firearms safety course runs Sept. 20 and 21, while the non-restricted firearms safety instructor course runs Oct. 8 and 9. Both will be at Aurora College in Inuvik.

The opportunity might solve some of the small community problems James Cardinal of Tsiigehtchic brought up at the Gwich'in Tribal Council annual general assembly, Aug. 13, said Chris Garven, firearms safety master instructor in Inuvik.

Cardinal said he had a hard time getting an instructor to come to the community and teach the fire arms safety course so residents could apply for their Canadian Firearms Licenses.

"People will be brought into Inuvik to take information back to the community," said Garven of the instructor course.

He said neither course is difficult and that aboriginal hunters already have the knowledge.

"Although they have the knowledge, some don't have the piece of paper that makes it legal to hunt with firearms," said Garven.

A firearms safety course is mandatory for obtaining a Canadian Firearms License. The license permits the person to purchase non-restricted firearms -- long guns like rifles and shotguns.

The two-day safety course covers safe handling, transport, storage and use of a firearm. The instructor course takes the information one step further by teaching graduates how to lead others through the course.

Instructors try to have one firearms safety course in each Beaufort Delta community a year, said Garven. But Inuvik has lost four instructors to moving since the last instructor course was held.

After this next course, Garven hopes to have between four and six classes a year in Inuvik and more out in the communities.

The non-restricted firearms safety course costs $110. The non-restricted firearms safety instructor course costs $300. Both classes have room for 12 students.

Registration for the courses is through Aurora College's Inuvik campus.