Gun safety class participant waits for instructor commands.
Currently it's illegal to own a firearm in Mooseville, but you can shoot one if you take a gun safety course at Moose Tracks Camping and Outdoor. The classes are being offered in partnership with the police department as part of a new bill that will lift the ban on firearms in Mooseville.
"The Mayor said the police were going to start offering gun safety classes to the public and they wanted to use our facilities," said Moose Tracks owner, Pistol Sellers. "We needed time to dust everything off 'cause it's been awhile since we've been able to use it. Then we had to go about hiring our instructors back, but we got her done."
Residents interested in taking a gun safety class are assured they will not be arrested even though it is still illegal to own a firearm in Mooseville.
"You can't buy 'em," said Woody Shackles, Mooseville Police Chief. "You can only shoot 'em as part of an authorized gun safety course. You won't be able to buy 'em for about another week."
The Mayor's new bill, which will be signed into law on June 10, makes owning a firearm legal in Mooseville if the person has passed a Mooseville County gun safety class and a background check.
"Moosevillians are responsible, educated people who deserve the right to arm bears if they want to," said the Mayor. "I'm kidding. Mooseville's bears are peace-loving animals, but the point is I trust that our community can handle the responsibility of owning and carrying firearms, and that's what this new bill is all about."
The Mayor received a lot criticism after she banned firearms in December of last year, but she assured her constituents that the backlash wasn't the reason she designed the legislation.
"I did what I thought was the right thing to do considering what was happening in the rest of the country at that time," the Mayor said. "It's a different time now, and education is the key to protecting our community."
The Mayor promises the cost of enacting the new law will be minimal, and the police department says the paperwork to return firearms previously confiscated will be relatively easy to manage.
"We only have about a dozen or so true blue gun owners in our community," said Shackles. "We got Post-its with everybody's name on it, so once they've been licensed we'll give 'em back."
The process of returning firearms might seem simple, but the licensing procedure could take some time to navigate.
"You're looking at about an 8-12 week turn around time on licensing," said Sellers. "Depending on demand, it could take longer. I'd recommend if you're interested in owning a gun, better take the test and start the process now."
Even though it could still be a while before Moosevillians can actually own guns at least they can get their hands on one a little sooner than they had expected.
Story by: Staff Ryder
Related Stories: Mayor Lifts Ban On Guns - MPR's Mary Weather
"The Mayor said the police were going to start offering gun safety classes to the public and they wanted to use our facilities," said Moose Tracks owner, Pistol Sellers. "We needed time to dust everything off 'cause it's been awhile since we've been able to use it. Then we had to go about hiring our instructors back, but we got her done."
Residents interested in taking a gun safety class are assured they will not be arrested even though it is still illegal to own a firearm in Mooseville.
"You can't buy 'em," said Woody Shackles, Mooseville Police Chief. "You can only shoot 'em as part of an authorized gun safety course. You won't be able to buy 'em for about another week."
The Mayor's new bill, which will be signed into law on June 10, makes owning a firearm legal in Mooseville if the person has passed a Mooseville County gun safety class and a background check.
"Moosevillians are responsible, educated people who deserve the right to arm bears if they want to," said the Mayor. "I'm kidding. Mooseville's bears are peace-loving animals, but the point is I trust that our community can handle the responsibility of owning and carrying firearms, and that's what this new bill is all about."
The Mayor received a lot criticism after she banned firearms in December of last year, but she assured her constituents that the backlash wasn't the reason she designed the legislation.
"I did what I thought was the right thing to do considering what was happening in the rest of the country at that time," the Mayor said. "It's a different time now, and education is the key to protecting our community."
The Mayor promises the cost of enacting the new law will be minimal, and the police department says the paperwork to return firearms previously confiscated will be relatively easy to manage.
"We only have about a dozen or so true blue gun owners in our community," said Shackles. "We got Post-its with everybody's name on it, so once they've been licensed we'll give 'em back."
The process of returning firearms might seem simple, but the licensing procedure could take some time to navigate.
"You're looking at about an 8-12 week turn around time on licensing," said Sellers. "Depending on demand, it could take longer. I'd recommend if you're interested in owning a gun, better take the test and start the process now."
Even though it could still be a while before Moosevillians can actually own guns at least they can get their hands on one a little sooner than they had expected.
Story by: Staff Ryder
Related Stories: Mayor Lifts Ban On Guns - MPR's Mary Weather
