Women from all walks of life have been learning to shoot straight for 26 years in Limestone County.

It’s not that they’re any more violent than women elsewhere, but here they have a special handgun class designed especially for them.

The Limestone County Sheriff’s Office will once again present the Ladies Handgun Class July 24 and 26.

The class, which includes an evening of classroom instruction, and a day at the firing range, has been given once each year, and usually three times, since Mike Blakely became sheriff in 1982.

“The first time we met it was in an old Rock Quarry off Highway 127, back in a field owned by Kenny Carter,” said Blakely. “Since then, we’ve moved to the firing range at TVA (Brownsferry Nuclear Plant) and that’s a real nice range.”

Blakely said the course is not intended to teach women to “shoot like Annie Oakley,” but more to teach legal requirement for owning, carrying and shooting a gun.

“But more than that, it’s learning when you have the right to shoot a gun and how to safely carry and load a gun,” said the sheriff. “We teach them to check for corroded ammunition and how to clean their gun. We can also suggest the gun type that they should have.”

Blakely said the class is limited to 20, but usual classes have an enrollment of from 12 to 15.

“I’m always amazed at the types of ladies who take the class,” said Blakely. “We had one lady who was almost 80 years old. We have businesswomen, homemaker—a little bit of everybody—who take the class.”

Blakely said the popularity of the class is probably attributable to the headlines of the day, although, statistically speaking, most female crime assault victims are attacked by family members or close acquaintances.

“Every time you turn on the news, there is video of crime scenes or violence,” he said. “I think taking the class gives them a little more feeling of security at home and maybe on their way to and from work. If the class can remove the fear of becoming a victim, then it is worth it.”

Those who sign up for the current class will be expected to attend a classroom session from 8 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at the Limestone County Sheriff’s Arena and Training Center, off Alabama 99. A firing range exercise will be conducted from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, July 26, at the Brownsferry Nuclear Plant Firing Range.

There is a $10 registration fee and participants must have a current Alabama pistol license, which can be obtained at the Sheriff’s Office for $15. Participants must furnish their own handguns and ammunition, as well as ear and eye protection.

Pre-registration is required. For more information, call Jennifer McBay at 232-0111.