cuchulainn
November 13, 2003, 07:08 AM
from the A.P.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10495894&BRD=1817&PAG=461&dept_id=222087&rfi=6Some seniors feel protected by carry, conceal weapons
Wire Services, Associated Press November 11, 2003
SUN CITY (AP) - Sergei Sikorsky of Sun City Grand has taken a step to protect himself. He said he carries a firearm wherever he goes with the confidence he could save his own and others' lives if necessary.
"It is better to be safe rather than sorry," he said. "I wanted to have the legal right to carry a gun in my car and the (paperwork stating) I had taken the course on gun management. I do not consider it a crime to take a pistol course to learn how to handle it."
Sikorsky said he considers Sun City Grand safe, but never knows when danger might arise.
More and more seniors also share those thoughts.
According to the state Department of Public Safety, 31,236 state residents between the ages of 50 and 69 have the right to carry concealed weapons, which includes 6,195 women.
Ken Senft, owner of Guns Plus in Surprise, a concealed-carry weapons instructor, said the trend seems to be that increasing numbers of women take the training because they feel a need for added protection.
"They feel more vulnerable when they get older," he said.
Millie Amburgy of Sun City Grand said she usually carries a 9 mm pistol, concealed in a fanny pack or handbag.
"I think if I go out alone, I would be very likely to have my weapon with me," she said.
A gun alone won't guarantee protection; women need to be aware of their surroundings, she said.
Don Strong of Sun City teaches classes on carrying concealed weapons. There is no doubt the Sun Cities are safer then most communities, he said, but he sees residents becoming more concerned with safety issues as they get older.
In a recent class of 12, nine were seniors.
"They are concerned about their safety," Strong said. "They need a firearm to protect them. It could make the difference between living and dying."
Strong said women used to shy way from taking the courses, but added that is changing. He said they now make up 25 percent of his classes. Al Seehoffer, owner of The Shootist Gun Shoppe in Youngtown, said, percentage wise, more people in the Sun Cities have received concealed-weapons permits in the past two years.
Seehoffer said the state requires a 16-hour training course. During the numerous classes conducted in the Sun Cities annually, instructors focus on firearms safety and gun laws.
Permits must be renewed every four years.
Copyright © 1995 - 2003 PowerOne Media, Inc.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10495894&BRD=1817&PAG=461&dept_id=222087&rfi=6Some seniors feel protected by carry, conceal weapons
Wire Services, Associated Press November 11, 2003
SUN CITY (AP) - Sergei Sikorsky of Sun City Grand has taken a step to protect himself. He said he carries a firearm wherever he goes with the confidence he could save his own and others' lives if necessary.
"It is better to be safe rather than sorry," he said. "I wanted to have the legal right to carry a gun in my car and the (paperwork stating) I had taken the course on gun management. I do not consider it a crime to take a pistol course to learn how to handle it."
Sikorsky said he considers Sun City Grand safe, but never knows when danger might arise.
More and more seniors also share those thoughts.
According to the state Department of Public Safety, 31,236 state residents between the ages of 50 and 69 have the right to carry concealed weapons, which includes 6,195 women.
Ken Senft, owner of Guns Plus in Surprise, a concealed-carry weapons instructor, said the trend seems to be that increasing numbers of women take the training because they feel a need for added protection.
"They feel more vulnerable when they get older," he said.
Millie Amburgy of Sun City Grand said she usually carries a 9 mm pistol, concealed in a fanny pack or handbag.
"I think if I go out alone, I would be very likely to have my weapon with me," she said.
A gun alone won't guarantee protection; women need to be aware of their surroundings, she said.
Don Strong of Sun City teaches classes on carrying concealed weapons. There is no doubt the Sun Cities are safer then most communities, he said, but he sees residents becoming more concerned with safety issues as they get older.
In a recent class of 12, nine were seniors.
"They are concerned about their safety," Strong said. "They need a firearm to protect them. It could make the difference between living and dying."
Strong said women used to shy way from taking the courses, but added that is changing. He said they now make up 25 percent of his classes. Al Seehoffer, owner of The Shootist Gun Shoppe in Youngtown, said, percentage wise, more people in the Sun Cities have received concealed-weapons permits in the past two years.
Seehoffer said the state requires a 16-hour training course. During the numerous classes conducted in the Sun Cities annually, instructors focus on firearms safety and gun laws.
Permits must be renewed every four years.
Copyright © 1995 - 2003 PowerOne Media, Inc.
