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Seniors learn respect for firearms in Austintown class
AUSTINTOWN
Austintown Senior Center members fired rounds into silhouette targets Monday as part of an instructional course to become more familiar with firearms.
Jim Henshaw, center director, said the idea stemmed from patrons asking about the safest thing to do with old guns in their homes – and if they could use them.
Although this activity isn’t physical, like other center programs – fencing, exercise and yoga – it has other benefits.
“It’s really based around concentration,” Henshaw said. “They also get to practice hand-eye coordination and learn a respect for guns.”
Henshaw and retired Commander Sam Swoger III of the American Legion 301 set up a shooting session at 10 a.m. on the second Monday of each month.
For $25, each senior learned shooting skills from Swoger at American Indoor Shooting Range in North Jackson.
Those who didn’t bring their own guns, rented them, free of charge, so they could learn shooting basics.
Swoger said he liked the idea of getting everyone familiar with what they have so they know how to use it in case of an emergency.
“With the way the world is now, you never know,” Swoger said.
Swoger stressed safety throughout the session, especially the importance of having the right mind-set.
“I call it a weapon because that’s what it is,” Swoger said. “It was made to either kill somebody or stuff like that.”
Henshaw said he wants seniors to come out of the class with confidence in being able to handle a firearm.
“I asked one lady, ‘Are you going to come to the shooting class?’ and she said, ‘Oh no, I’m scared of those things.’ That’s why she needs to come,” Henshaw said.
“You don’t want to be afraid of a gun; you want learn how to respect the gun and use the gun. If you fear the gun, that’s when you have problems. That’s when you shoot yourself in the foot,” he said.
To some, this experience was the first in dealing with guns. Some people were serious and others just enjoyed the experience.
“I’m very serious about it. I’m afraid of it so this is really good,” said Cheryl Kalinka.
Susan McFarland said not only was she excited to learn, but she was also excited to put the holed paper silhouette on her front door labeled “beware.”
To others, it was just a matter of getting familiar with different equipment.
Gene Chipelock said he handled firearms during his time in the Army, but never handled pistols.
Chipelock said if he gets enough practice and likes it, he’s considering getting a pistol.
Swoger and officers from Austintown Police Department have offered to help seniors price guns they have at home if they wanted to sell them.
“This is a good thing to come to because they can tell you what’s best if you want to buy one,” Chipelock said.