TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pinellas News

The right to bear arms

Concerns About Obama Second Amendment Views Cited

Photo by John Tischner

Instructor John Potter of Dunedin explains gun safety to attendees at a gun safety class at the Elks Lodge in Dunedin. Potter was one of three National Rifle Association certified instructors who participated in the class given by Equip 2 Conceal Firearms Group.

ADVERTISEMENT

BY JOHN TISCHNER

SPECIAL TO THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: March 28, 2009

Updated: 04/03/2009 07:25 am

Gun sales have risen dramatically. More than 600,000 Floridians are licensed to carry guns and they still are applying in record numbers.

A backlog in applications for firearm permits has caused the state to hire extra personnel to process the logjam in Tallahassee, says Rob Shewmake. The Holiday man wants to ensure these applicants are properly trained in handling weapons.

He, along with partners John Potter of Dunedin and Danny Riese of Palm Harbor, own the Clearwater-based Equip 2 Conceal Firearms Group. The three National Rifle Association-certified instructors provide gun safety education classes for those who want to carry concealed weapons.

On a recent Tuesday night they informed and certified eight people, seven men and one woman, at the Elks Lodge 1525, in Dunedin, one of many spots where the classes are held. Classes average about 15.

Other locations around the state include Marion, West Palm Beach, Orange, Hillsborough and Pasco counties. In Pasco, classes are held at the Holiday Inn Express on U.S. 19 in Port Richey.

Business has been so good, Shewmake said, the firm now has seven instructors. Once a month instructors also fly to Denver, Colo., to provide training at what he calls "in my opinion, the largest gun show in the state."

What drives this phenomenon?

"We have seen a big increase since last fall after Obama took office," Shewmake said. "People are concerned their rights are going to be taken away from them."

They are worried that the new administration will implement stricter gun laws, he added.

"Many are rushing to get their permits renewed," Shewmake said. "As of June 2008, permits were good for seven years. It used to be five years," he explained.

Another rights issue concerns ammunition, Shewmake said.

"There is talk about raising the federal tax on ammunition and bar-coding it to link buyers to its purchase."

Previously, gun sales have been flat. That has changed, too.

Two of the largest gun manufacturers, Smith & Wesson and Sturm, Ruger & Co., reported much higher sales that boosted their stock values between 70 percent and 85 percent in the first quarter this year. Both companies also report inventory backlogs.

Compounding the gun-rights issue, Shewmake said, is the recent drop in the economy.

"People are concerned with their safety," he said. "Home invasions are up, robberies are up."

Three instructors teach Equip 2 Conceal's four-step classes. The fourth part of the three-hour procedure is a visit to the firing range at Bill Jackson, the sporting and outdoor goods store in Pinellas Park. There, participants fire weapons of their choice, a minimum 15 rounds to be certified to carry a concealed weapon.

The state-issued permits cost $117. The course by equip2conceal is $75. An additional $10 will provide membership in the NRA.

Classes teach how to safely handle, load and unload, fire, store, carry and clean weapons. Some participants already own weapons, while others are new to the process.

Tim Furney of Palm Harbor, who attended with his friend Jim Ferguson of Largo, said he let his permit expire and was there to take the class and have the permit renewed. No stranger to guns, Furney said he "was raised with guns from an early age," starting with a BB gun. He owns a powerful Desert Eagle .50 Magnum semiautomatic for "peace of mind," while his wife has a Colt Python .357 Magnum revolver.

Shewmake, an avowed "strong proponent of the Second Amendment," served four years in the U.S. Army during 1991's Operation Desert Storm and was a civilian police officer on Johnston Atoll. The unincorporated island territory southwest of Honolulu was under American military control from 1941 until 2003, when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service assumed jurisdiction.

"We follow strict NRA policies that are much tougher" than other gun safety courses, Shewmake said of Equip 2 Conceal's training.

He also recommends gun buyers purchase from reputable weapons dealers such as Cole's Gun Shop in Dunedin, the Silver Bullet in Tarpon Springs or 'Ol Time Gun Shop in Hudson. He says these types of dealers have much more experience in weapons than chain stores.
Shewmake said interest in weapons has significantly increased among women.

"As a matter of fact, we are starting a women-only class next month because women usually feel uneasy among males," he said. "The women will get the chance to fire four different calibers of weapons."

Also, Shewmake said because of the demand, he is looking to hire more instructors.

For more information visit www.equip2conceal.com or call 727-773-5060.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT