By Emily Enfinger | The Selma Times-Journal

Selma citizens will soon have the opportunity to sharpen their firearms safety.

The Selma Police Department and Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge No. 12 are hosting Citizen’s Firearms Safety Courses on Thursday, Feb. 4, and Saturday, Feb. 6, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Selma Police Department Training Room and FOP Firing Range.

“We are trying to get everybody in a safety mode of using that handgun,” said Police Chief John Brock.

Brock said they have been receiving an overwhelming amount of calls requesting for firearm safety classes.

“We are getting bombarded on the phone, ‘When are you going to do this class?’” Brock said.

He said they used to have firearm safety classes, but it has been several years since.

The classes will cover a full spectrum of gun safety including how to use handguns safely, how to purchase guns legally, how to carry, how to keep it from being stolen, when and where firearms can be used as well as a refresher on new or updated gun laws.

The courses are $30 per individual for current FOP members and $60 for non-member.

The $60 fee for non-members includes a one-year membership to FOP Lodge No. 12. The fee must be paid by either check or money order to Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 12, the day of class.

Brock said they are accepting 25-30 people per class. He said if the number of people registered exceeds the amount for both classes, they will be put on a waiting list for future courses.

“If we get the support … we will do one every month or one every two months,” Brock said.

Those interested in registering must be 21 years of age and undergo a background check before registering. Anyone with felony or domestic violence convictions will automatically be disqualified for eligibility to register.

People who have successfully registered must bring a legal, modern handgun that will pass instructor inspection for reliability and safety as well as bring a minimum of 50 rounds of new manufactured ammunition. Calibers that will be accepted are listed on the course application. Ammunition is also subject for inspection.

You do not need a handgun permit to attend, per Alabama Code 13A-11-73*, but the handgun must be unloaded, not be readily accessible and secured in a case.

View the full list of requirements on the Citizen’s Firearms Safety Course application.

Applications can be obtained on Selma P.D. Facebook page, at the Selma Police Department, Central Alabama Farmer’s Co-op and Rountree Outdoors.

Brock said a box will be available at the Selma Police Department front desk for submitting applications.

For more information, contact Lt. Scott Swanson at sandlwanson@ymail.com or (334) 349-2480.