Central Point, Ore — Members of an NRA training program were in Southern Oregon helping local law enforcement brush up on their skills.
Dozens of deputies and police officers took part in live fire exercises in Central Point.
As soon as the safety was off, the competition was on and when the dust settled, a valuable lesson was learned about guns and those who use them.
Quickly and methodically the competitors navigate a maze of friend and foe.
The NRA law enforcement training division hosts six live fire exercises every year throughout the country.
Law enforcement and the public are invited to watch, learn and test their skills in high-adrenaline situations.
“Just the noise and the recoil of the weapon system you have to know that and you have to replicate that,” said NRA Representative Marc Lipp.
“Thinking on your feet and being able to put together a thought process on how to solve problems when it comes to dealing with potential shooting situations,” said Deputy Sheriff Phil Cicero.
For shooters like Brett Stewart it’s an opportunity to move away from a paper target and learn how to use a gun as a tool for defense.
“Safety is huge, when you start adding movement to firearms, things change, you got to keep an eye on, not only what you’re doing, where the targets are but where the gun’s pointed, said Stewart.
For law enforcement, it’s an exercise they say is vital that could better help to them protect and serve.
“We realize, hey I need to practice this or I need to practice that so they go to their agency or go to a local gun club and do that practice and it could save their life or save a citizen’s life,” said Lipp.
Local agencies say the opportunity to train with the NRA is optional but they encourage their officers and deputies to take part.
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