Police officer urges gun training for all

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Police officer urges gun training for all Jean Sims, Correspondent GRANDFIELD, Okla. (Special) - The Badlands Training Facility is gearing up to train more people in gun safety following the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington. Bobby Whittington, who owns the facility, said more people fearing for their safety are buying firearms now. The 19-year veteran of the Lawton, Okla., Police Department said every citizen should be trained and armed. "I am a strong believer in the Second Amendment because there is no way, absolutely none that we will ever be able to keep guns out of criminal hands," Whittington said. He said the course is something that airline pilots should be taking in light of what happened on the four flights that crashed on Sept. 11. Whittington said the pilots' compartments should be bulletproofed and the pilots armed. Training is one way to improve gun safety, he said. "I know people worry about firearms in homes with children, that is a concern, and the only answer is keep guns away from children, then educate, educate, and use discipline." Whittington said. They will be training people Oct. 13-14 not only on how to shoot, but when to shoot, he said. This first course will be for men and women in a basic defensive pistol course, covering grip, stance, and law on use of deadly force, shooting positions, and tactics. "We are going to teach things like what to do if someone breaks into your home and you have to move from room to room," Whittington said. The course, Whittington said, is a much more in-depth course than the concealed weapon requirements required by Oklahoma law. He said the law for concealed weapons requires only four hours in the classroom and the shooting of 50 rounds. There are no qualifications for the course, Whittington said. "Our course will require a 70 percent or higher accuracy from 3 feet to 25 yards in, he said. "We will have one instructor for every five students, and all of our instructors are law enforcement officers." He said, "We are going to teach people how to stay alive, when to shoot and when to run." The Badlands course is open to law enforcement, military and civilians, but all participants must submit to a background check. Closing date for the course is October 10, and people from all over the state are coming to Grandfield. For information on the course call (580) 479-5559. http://www.trnonline.com/stories/10052001/regional_news/27437.shtml