Putting safety first in Chesterfield
Instructors deliver first of three firearm safety courses
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
CHESTERFIELD INLET
Instructors Pete Mourot and Glen Brocklebank started fulfilling their goal of having up to 50 people newly trained in firearm safety by the end of the school year earlier this month.
Instructor Glen Brocklebank, right, talks with course participant Rob Humby on how to ensure a firearm is safe to handle during a firearm safety course in Chesterfield Inlet on Feb. 4. - photo courtesy of Ana Leishman |
The two held their first course on Feb. 4, with eight participants completing the program and taking the first necessary step in obtaining their possession and acquisition licence.
A total of 19 participants have registered, so far, for their upcoming female-only course, and they also plan on delivering the program to around 20 high school students at Victor Sammurtok High School.
Mourot said he and Brocklebank are delivering the three courses free of charge to encourage more participation.
He said the first course was a great success, and he and Brocklebank are looking forward to instructing the women in firearm safety on Feb. 24 and 25.
"Each student has to have the minimum requirement of eight hours, and that doesn't include the two tests, one written and one practical, they have to pass," said Mourot.
"Passing the course allows them to have a possession and acquisition licence for non-restricted firearms, which consists of shotguns and rifles.
"The course is all about safety with firearms, including storing them properly, and having them locked and inaccessible to anyone.
"We don't have the necessary resources for the students to actually get to fire a firearm during the course, but we have five set out so that anytime there's a break or discussion period, any student who wants to can come up and handle one of the firearms and ask any questions they may have."
Mourot said he and Brocklebank can properly show the students how to hold a firearm, and let them get comfortable with each and every one so that if they ever come across a lever-action firearm, for example, they'll know how to make sure it's not loaded and safe to handle.
He said a couple of the participants told him they enjoyed the course and found it very informative.
"We had a couple of first-timers who had never held a firearm before, so, in that aspect, it was a very informative course for them.
"But, let's face it, there's certainly a lot of people up here who have grown up hunting and using firearms.
"We had a few very experienced students, and they were pretty comfortable with everything and knew all the answers as it was, but, no matter how experienced you are, you absolutely have to have this course in order to purchase firearms and ammunition.
"No retailer will sell you a gun or ammunition unless you have a possession and acquisition licence."
