From May to October 2024, NRA-Certified Course Instructors Marilyn Jones and Pat Butts are offering gun safety courses. “Any of these courses would make a nice Christmas present for someone who wants to learn about guns,” Jones said.

“After talking with the Tioga County Women’s Shooting Society Leadership Committee, we changed the focus of our training program to build overall skills to assure that students understand how to purchase the right firearm, how to handle a gun safely, and how to avoid becoming a victim of violent crimes.”

The three dates and times for the two-day NRA Basic Pistol Class for men and women are: Saturdays and Sundays, May 4 and 5, Aug. 3 and 4 and Sept. 7 and 8, 2024 and the two-day NRA Basic Rifle Class for women only is on Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2.

The Saturday instruction portion will be at the Sullivan Township Community Center at 103 Williams Road, Mainesburg, PA 16932 and the Sunday shooting qualification session at the Hillside Rod & Gun Club’s pistol or rifle ranges at 625 Gulick Street, Blossburg, PA 16912. 

The $55 fee for each two-session class is non-refundable, but may be applied to a future class within one year from the original registration date.

Participants in each class are limited to 12 men and women. On Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., registrants will learn how to safely handle and shoot a pistol or rifle, how to clean and store a firearm, about pistol or rifle mechanisms and operation, building pistol or rifle shooting skills, and pistol or rifle selection and use. On Sunday, participants will attend either the 8 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. pistol shooting qualification session or either the 9 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. rifle shooting qualification session.

Choosing the Right Gun is being offered twice, on Saturday, May 18, 2024 and Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Sullivan Township Community Center at 103 Williams Road, Mainesburg, PA 16932. Among the topics to be covered are: “Purpose for A Gun”, “Gun Jargon”, “Important Parts of a Gun”, and “How to Size A Gun to Fit You and Your Hands.” The $15 fee is non-refundable. 

The NRA Refuse To Be A Victim crime prevention and personal safety seminar for men and women is being held twice, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2024 and Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024 in the Sullivan Township Community Center at 103 Williams Road, Mainesburg, PA 16932.  Learn common sense techniques on how to minimize the risk of becoming a victim at home, in the workplace and in other situations, such as while shopping. Also taught will be an array of personal safety strategies and tips on how to create a personalized safety plan before it is needed. This is not a course on shooting a gun. The $20 fee is non-refundable.

For more information, email Marilyn Jones at jones_mk@yahoo.com or call 570-244-7989 or email Pat Butts at pbutts6610@yahoo.com or call 1-223-259-7672.