Local experts and Savannah-Chatham police say gun ownership is on the rise in Savannah, and more residents are looking to arm themselves in the name of safety.
That desire for safety is what prompted gun novice Sara Cotter to attend Global Tactical Training Group’s First Shots education class Saturday morning near Richmond Hill.
“I’ve had my gun for about a year, and I had only fired it once,” Cotter said. “My husband is a police officer ... I was nervous. I’ve never really fired a gun.”
A group of about 10 gathered at the 17 South Rod and Gun Club to learn the ins and outs of properly using a firearm, including loading, aiming, handling and shooting.
Attendees at Saturday’s class started as young as 10 and varied in age and gender — a similar reflection of the growing demographics of Savannah’s gun owners.
Gary Glemboski, police chief at Hunter Army Airfield and owner of Global Tactical Training Group, said he’s seen an increasing number of women signing up for his training classes.
Ortiz Custom Guns salesman Earl Shadley said he’s seeing the same trend at his Montgomery Crossroad store.
“A lot of women are coming in and purchasing because they feel preyed upon,” Shadley said in a previous story in the Savannah Morning News. “They’re perceived as easy targets. The ages range from 21 to 75 years old.”
The most common mistake among new gun owners is a lack of education, said Glemboski, a former metro police lieutenant.
“Education on gun handling and safety is imperative so people don’t have accidents,” Glemboski said, whose classes stress practical application, home defense, counter car-jacking and more for all skill levels, according to his website.
Last week, Savannah-Chatham police investigated an attempted armed robbery on Wilmington Island that led a homeowner to accidentally shoot himself. The homeowner had a gun and injured himself during a struggle with the suspect, police said. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Glemboski said that incident highlights the need for proper training.
Global Tactical Training Group will offer a daylong lecture on fundamental home safety and defense on March 19. For more information on registering, go to www.gtac.us.