Tuesday, 22 July 2003
On July 12th, Canby Rod and Gun Club played host to a pro-gun picnic and firearms safety class sponsored by the Oregon Firearms Educational Foundation. Over 40 people attended a free firearms safety class which qualified them for Oregon concealed handgun licenses. Club member Kevin Starrett, executive director of the OFF, felt the class was the highlight of the event. "The Foundation has traditionally spent most of its money on legal issues like our suit against the city of Portland.", Starrett said. "But we really prefer to use our resources for training whenever possible. We think this is a great way to introduce new people to safe gun handling and bring more allies into the gun culture."
Two lucky children were winners of .22 caliber rifles, and other prizes were awarded by both the Foundation and Hubbard Chevrolet. Our thanks to club member Tom Wilson for bringing Hubbard Chevrolet to the party. Tim Bero of TNW Firearms in Vernonia brought one of his converted M2's, and Lee Richeson of Rich's Gun Shop in Donald was on hand with items from his store. Lee also provided several handguns that were used in the firearms safety class. Picnic attendees were able to use the CRGC ranges under the supervision of club member Ed Dunnigan. Susan Voss prepared the lunch which was available to attendees.
The Oregon Firearms Educational Foundation also contributed to the women's gun safety class provided by the Portland Firearms Training Team some months ago at the club. In fact, on the same day as the picnic, PFTT was giving a similar class in Pendleton which was also financed by O.F.E.F. The O.F.E.F. is a non-profit 501(C)(3) affiliated with the Oregon Firearms Federation. For more information about the Oregon Firearms Federation and the Oregon Firearms Educational Foundation, visit their web site at www.oregonfirearms.org.