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Austintown library host gun-safety program
By Bob Jackson
AUSTINTOWN
Times have changed, and the days of speaking softly and carrying a big stick are long gone.
These days, if people are going to carry anything, they’re packing a pistol or some other firearm for protection.
That’s why the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County had a program Saturday at its Austintown branch called “What Every Citizen Should Know About Guns.”
Sgt. Steven Lindow of the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office led some 25 program participants through topics such as how to obtain a permit to legally carry a concealed weapon, how guns work, general firearm safety and firearms vocabulary.
Though firearms might not seem like typical topical fare for a library program, Cindy Beach, assistant programming manager of the PLYMC, said it’s what the people want to know.
“This is something people are interested in and have asked us for,” Beach said. “We’re looking to do more programming that has to do with civic issues that our citizens are interested in.”
Beach said a similar program took place Monday evening at the main library branch in Youngstown.
Most of the people who attended the one-hour program Saturday were older women, but Beach said the gun-safety interest shown from library patrons doesn’t seem age- or gender-specific.
“It seems to be people of all ages who are looking to learn about this,” she said.
A 17-year veteran, Lindow is in charge of firearms training for the entire sheriff’s office. He brought a variety of firearms with him for display and demonstration, including several pistols as well as a shotgun such as the ones carried in each sheriff’s patrol cruiser and an assault-type rifle used by tactical officers, such as those on the SWAT team.
Participants were not allowed, however, to actually handle the weapons for safety reasons. As Lindow picked up each firearm for discussion, he repeatedly checked to make sure it was not loaded.
The program’s format was driven largely by questions from the audience.
One participant, Beth, who declined to give her last name, said she came from Sebring to attend the program because she wanted to learn more about guns so she can carry on informed conversations with her 41-year-old son, who is a supporter of gun rights and a member of the National Rifle Association.
“I find this very helpful because it’s in a neutral place,” said Beth, 64, who doesn’t own a gun herself. “It’s informative, but without politics. There’s no agenda here.”
Lindow stressed that people who seek to legally carry a handgun with them should not do so with the intention of carrying out vigilante justice.
“If you carry a gun, you should use it only to get yourself and your family away from danger,” he said. “You don’t want to carry it to get into a gunfight with bad guys.”
Lindow also discussed the procedure citizens must follow in order to apply for a permit to carry a handgun, as well as laws governing where guns may and may not be carried.
He said people should take time to find a handgun that works for them before actually buying one.
“Be comfortable with whatever gun you carry,” he said. “If you’re not comfortable with it, don’t carry it.”