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CHESTERFIELD INLET - Close to 40 people took part in firearm safety training in Chesterfield Inlet this past week.

Cpl. Pete Garvey of the Chester detachment of the RCMP arranged the training sessions, and brought in retired RCMP officer and Canadian firearms safety-course instructor Doug Dosco of Steinbach, Man.

Abe Kadluk goes through the practical segment of his firearm training with safety officer Doug Dosko, right, in Chesterfield Inlet this past week. - photo courtesy of Glen Brocklebank

The training sessions were aimed at certifying people in the community to obtain their firearm acquisition certificate (FAC) so they can purchase guns and ammunition.

Dosco worked with students at Victor Sammurtok School for the first day of training before turning his attention to adults for the next two days of his visit.

Teacher Glen Brocklebank said both youth and adults had to pass a written and practical exam to obtain their certificates.

"Cpl. Garvey had been trying to get someone here to deliver this training for awhile now," said Brocklebank.

"Dosco had worked with Garvey down south and really wanted to come up and see a bit of Nunavut.

"He took a week off work to help our community.

"We had 15 students take the training and 20 adults, while three other adults renewed their certificates."

Brocklebank said students from the age of 12 to 18 took the youth course, while adults obtained their FACs.

He said the safety officer's visit was a huge hit within the community.

"There were an awful lot of people who needed this training, myself included.

"It was a good all-around experience for the community."

The adults didn't have to take the full course, but they did have to challenge the exam and take the practical component of the program.

Garvey said students who complete the youth course can't actually purchase a firearm, but they can borrow one to go out hunting.

He said the adults get their official FAC from the Canadian Firearms Centre.

"It took a lot of phone calls to get Doug here, but it was more than worth it in the long run," said Garvey.

"The Canadian Firearms Centre paid for his trip up, I lodged him while he was here and the Chesterfield Inlet Development Corp. covered the additional costs.

"We could probably have done another 20 people if we had more time.

"We're already looking at getting him back here sometime in the future."