Gun safety in the valley

06.14 GUNSMedford, Ore., — In wake of the recent tragedy in Orlando, people in the Rogue Valley are taking extra steps to educate and prepare themselves for situations like this.

Instructors at the Medford Rifle and Pistol Club say in light of all of these tragedies, they have seen increases in people taking their classes in order to educate themselves on the proper use of firearms.

It’s becoming an all too familiar scene, like last October’s Umpqua Community College shooting in Roseburg, where 9 people died, and San Bernadino last December where 14 people were killed.

Now most recently, Orlando, 49 people killed in a night club.

And while no one ever expects to find themselves in a life or death situation, many are educating themselves on handling a gun.

The Medford Rifle and Pistol Club provides free classes to citizens to learn how to use their guns safely.

The classes range from basic information on guns, even if you don’t own one, all the way to practical training – where you’re put in pretend scenarios that mimic what happened in Orlando.

“Practicing what it might be like, and to shoot around a barricade, or to shoot while retreating from someone who is advancing to you….to be able to practice and decide what might be a good move and what wouldn’t.” said Kari Hatten, course instructor at Medford Rifle and Pistol Club.

Medford police say if you ever are in that type of situation, the best thing to do is to run or hide.

But Lt. Kerry Curtis says, “In the event you are faced with the attacker, we absolutely encourage you to fight.”

And some people in the Rogue Valley agree.

“I think if you had the chance then jump him because you’re gonna get shot anyway, might as well try and stop him from shooting other people.” said Karen Adams.

“I think if more people stood up, there’d be less of what happens. We’re all people, we all live on the same planet.” said David Bartoleme.

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