Crime & Safety

Gun Safety Class for Women Right on Target for Georgia Club Residents

Demand for the female-only course, offered by the Winder Police Department, is growing.

A women's-only gun safety course hosted by the Winder Police Department has been a hit with local residents.

This past weekend, about a dozen female residents of The Georgia Club community received instruction from Lt. John Blocker and Officer Chris Cooper with the department. 

“This class is fun for us to teach because the ladies are generally more receptive to instruction," Blocker said in a news release on the class. "They are less intimidated when they are in a group of like-minded females and it seems to make for a more fun learning environment for them." 

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This is the third class the police department has hosted since 2012 and the demand keeps growing. 

“I got the idea after speaking to a female citizen who wanted to protect herself but admitted that she was intimidated by guns," Chief Dennis Dorsey said in the release. "I mentioned the idea of a class that would be tailored only to beginner female shooters and she told me she would be more comfortable taking a course like that." 

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The number of participants is limited based on the number of total firearms instructors available to teach the course in an effort to maximize safety. As a result, the police department has had overflow from every class offered so far, which has led to the creation of the next class. The department will host a new class from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 27. The class is free of charge, and anyone interested in attending can contact Lt. John Blocker or Officer Chris Cooper for information on registering by calling 770-867-2156. 

Residents of Barrow who wish to apply for a a firearms permit can do so in Barrow County Probate Court from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. A cash fee of $30 is required, and applicants must also be fingerprinted by Barrow County Detention Center staff, for which a separate $50 cash fee is required. Applicants must bring a driver's license to prove residency and age. 

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