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Kentucky: Thieves impersonating evangelicals prompt woman, 70, to teach gun safety
Buckey Firearms Association ^ | 16 November, 2010 | cbaus

Posted on 11/18/2010 4:23:58 AM PST by marktwain

The Louisville, KY Courier-Journal reported recently that an elderly woman who was able to defend herself with a firearm during an attempted home invasion two years ago is now certified as an NRA-certified instructor, teaching others the same life-saving skills.

From the article:

Sylvia Hall had never used her handgun for protection until the morning four strange men appeared at her doorstep impersonating evangelicals.

"We want to read the Bible to you," they said when she answered the door.

Hall said no. They insisted, and one of them began to push on the screen door and force himself in.

That's when Hall pulled out her Smith & Wesson, which scared them off.

That day two years ago was when Hall, who lives in Centerfield, began a mission to teach women in Oldham and surrounding counties to protect themselves using handguns.

"Women shouldn't be afraid in their own homes," Hall told the newspaper. "They ought to be able to protect themselves."

Again, from the article:

A 70-year-old retired employee of a company that sold forklifts and other equipment, Hall never imagined she'd use a gun for more than hunting. She and her husband, Tom, a former Marine, always enjoyed target practice at shooting ranges, and she kept a gun in her glove compartment for a while when she was traveling for work — just in case.

Still, "it is a terrible feeling" to use it, she said.

After the incident at her home off Ky. 22, Hall signed up for 45 hours of training to get a National Rifle Association certification — making her one of 21 NRA certified female instructors in in Kentucky. It also makes her eligible to teach gun-safety classes. She also took a Kentucky concealed-carry course.

In July, she started teaching a series of classes at Kentucky Gunrunners, at 1000 Cherrywood Place in La Grange. One is a basic handgun class for women and men, and another is a concealed-carry class. She also teaches "Women on Target," an NRA class that she plans to teach to women in the area twice a year.

Most classes are on Saturdays and last six to eight hours, depending on class size and the experience of the students.

"A lot of times, they have not handled a gun before," Hall is quoted as saying.

In her classes, Hall told The Courier-Journal she teaches everything from gun parts to the basics of a bullet. Students also learn the types of grips and safe ways to carry the gun. At the end of class, they go to the range in the building and shoot targets.

Hall said classes tend to have around 10 people, and she prefers to keep the classes small. Students come from as far as Ohio and Indiana, she said, and include a mix of men and women.

Barbara Brooks, 75, of Crestwood said she took the concealed carry and basic handgun classes over the summer because "the times, the way they are now, made me want to know how to handle a weapon safely."

Brooks, who said she knows Hall from church, said she doesn't know if she'll ever carry a gun, though she's discovered a love for target shooting.

Hall told the newspaper she'd like to expand her teaching to younger people, like Cub Scout troops.

"If a young person learns the correct way to shoot a gun, you're less likely to have accidents," she said.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Kentucky
KEYWORDS: banglist; gun; instruction; ky
We are winning.
1 posted on 11/18/2010 4:24:04 AM PST by marktwain
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To: marktwain

good news!


2 posted on 11/18/2010 5:21:27 AM PST by vanilla swirl (We are the Patrick Henry we have been waiting for!)
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To: marktwain

Did they ever catch the bad guys she scared off?


3 posted on 11/18/2010 6:08:27 AM PST by Dudoight
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To: skinkinthegrass

pinerooney, maybe we can send her some business...


4 posted on 11/18/2010 7:56:03 AM PST by Gilbo_3 (Gov is not reason; not eloquent; its force.Like fire,a dangerous servant & master. George Washington)
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To: marktwain
"We want to read the Bible to you," they said when she answered the door.

Hall said no. They insisted, and one of them began to push on the screen door and force himself in.

That's when Hall pulled out her Smith & Wesson, which scared them off.

"Holy Shi'ite! Run!" That S&W put the fear of God in them.

5 posted on 11/18/2010 12:48:53 PM PST by TexasRepublic (Socialism is the gospel of envy and the religion of thieves)
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To: Gilbo_3; IMissPresidentReagan; CourtneyLeigh; Just Kimberly; Knuckrider; MBohman; republicanbob1; ..
maybe we can send her some business...

hehehe...thanks for the ping
maybe we can....

A Kentucky Ping.

...for those interested. :D


6 posted on 11/20/2010 3:34:45 PM PST by skinkinthegrass (Imam Zer0: DeathCARE, Is my only "health" plan....to hell w/ free enterprise. :^)
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To: Gilbo_3

I think I will check out her classes. I have been wanting to get a firearm, and this would give me the info and training I need. Thanks for posting. I’m in KC, MO, with the grandkids and would not have seen it.


7 posted on 11/20/2010 4:31:54 PM PST by KYGrandma (The sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home......)
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To: KYGrandma

good for you Grandma...dont let it be a big deal, shop and learn as you would for any other tool...and have fun...8^}


8 posted on 11/20/2010 5:53:55 PM PST by Gilbo_3 (Gov is not reason; not eloquent; its force.Like fire,a dangerous servant & master. George Washington)
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To: marktwain

It is the tradition that a Kentuckian never runs. He does not have to...he is not obligated to retreat, nor to consider whether he can safely retreat, but is entitled to stand his ground, and meet any (life-threatening) attack made upon him with a deadly weapon... Kentucky Court of Appeals. Gibson v. Commonwealth, 34 SW 936 (Ky. 1931)


9 posted on 11/21/2010 8:23:17 AM PST by WKUHilltopper (Fix bayonets!)
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