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Seeking to combat what some perceive as lack of knowledge about guns among members of the mainstream media, a self-defense group in Ohio is offering a free concealed-carry course to those who report the news to Americans.
Given the fact that reporters are tasked with writing about the raging gun debate, shouldn't they know what they are writing about? That's what the Citizens Defense and Training Group hopes to accomplish with its free concealed-carry course to 15 members of the media.
"There’s a lot of misinformation out there," said Jeffrey Scott, director and lead firearms instructor for the group. "We want the public to be educated and show the media that not all people that want to carry a gun are bad people."
More from the Mansfield News Journal:
The course will allow media participants full access to the entire Ohio Concealed Carry educational program. It provides Ohio residents with the certificate needed to get a concealed-carry permit, including 10 hours of class time and six hours at the shooting range.Videographers and support personnel accompanying reporters also can participate, but only those registered for the course will receive a certificate of completion. The course usually costs $125.
Because the group is a division of Law Enforcement Training and Tactical Institute, participants also receive lessons similar to what law enforcement officers experience.
Scott, who was a police officer for 16 years, said members of the media who sign up for the course will also train for realistic "tactical" scenarios.
Media members must register before April 1 for the course, which will take place on April 12 and 13. Scott said the positive response may cause the group to do something similar for teachers and church members this summer.
