COVINGTON, Ga. - The Newton County Sheriff's Office will hold a Citizen's Firearm Safety Course Friday, Oct. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The seven-hour safety course will consist of instruction and demonstration. 

From 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., the safety course will be held at the Newton County Courthouse Annex, located at 1132 Usher St. in Covington, and after lunch, live-fire exercises will be conducted at the Sheriff's Office Range, located at 272 Lower River Road in Covington.

NCSO Lt. Paul Gunter, training coordinator/employee certifications manager, said the importance of the safety course was to bring awareness to the responsibilities of owning and using a firearm.

"It is critical that those who have a firearm in their home or business - and those who are licensed to carry a firearm outside their home or business - gain awareness of the responsibilities involved in their decision," Gunter said. "The moment you are forced to draw your gun in self-defense there will be many decisions you'll need to make in a split second."

Training in the proper use, storage and cleaning of your firearm, the knowledge of the laws which will govern your conduct and your confidence in your abilities will help in your decision-making."

Applicants will be notified by mail if selected to participate in the class; however, the NCSO would prefer to notify by email if supplied on the application form, according to the NCSO 2019 Citizen's Firearm Safety Course announcement. 

Participants must be at least 21 years of age, consent to and pass a criminal background check and provide a valid Georgia Driver's License. 

Participants must also provide their own firearm and ammunition - in good and serviceable condition. The firearm must be at least a .380 caliber.

Deadline to submit an application is Friday, Oct. 18.

If you have questions please call Gunter at 678-625-1444, or Deputy Mandy Peters, range master, at 678-625-1404.