Caledonia Argus

Teachers needed for firearms training

Posted: 2/10/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

WANTED: Youth Firearm Safety Instructors.

Thatís the word from Larry Webinger, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer for Houston County.

He stopped at The Argus office on February 2 to make a pitch for instructors.

Instructor Bob Nelson is retiring from the job, so more teachers are needed to help out teachers Dave Olson, Matt Bauer, and Jan Welscher. Caledonia certifies 50-100 kids every year.

Nelson said he doesnít have the time needed to teach the class, because of his work as Caledonia City Administrator. But he recommends the job.

ìItís an enjoyable job,î Nelson said. ìYou get to work with students. Itís kind of self-fulling to teach them what somebody did for me a long, long time ago.î

A good instructor should be someone interested in firearms, kids, and safety, Webinger said. ìThis is a hunting area,î he said. ìThe kids need to be certified.î

He feels itís very important because young people are around a lot of firearms.

The time commitment for teachers involves five nights of about two hours each, and one Saturday for field exercises. New instructors are paired with certified instructors. There will be a three-hour long training session once Webinger gets a group of new teachers together.

Webinger would like to begin classes at the end of February, and hold the field work in early April. There is flexibility in this schedule, Webinger said.

Anyone interested in being an instructor can call Larry Webinger at 507-895-6581.

Students will start registering in a week or two, he said. It is open to anyone turning age 12 and over this year. Kids are informed about it and do the sign-up at school.

Without firearms safety certification, people born after 1976 cannot get a hunting license.

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