Gun Class reinstated for Spring semester

Published in Long Beach City College's Viking newspaper in 2007.

After a six-year absence and a cancellation threat on the first day, the firearms class, Adjus62AB, is underway and allowing students the chance to properly take hold of a gun and fire.
"I don't think anybody should be allowed to take a class on shooting guns unless there is a background check first," psychology major Ralena Bass said Monday, Jan. 22. "Or the classes should only allow students who are wanting to be police officers or detectives."
The cancellation confusion occurred Thursday Jan. 18 at the beginning of class and students were being turned away as they showed up. Soon after, a sergeant from the Long Beach Police Academy cleared up the dilemma by informing Public Services department head Grant Boyer that the class will continue as scheduled.
"Their remodeling one of the finest shooting ranges in California, but the class will work out," Boyer said. "I just want everyone to have a positive experience."
The Edward "Pops" Davenport combat range and firearms training facility at the Long Beach Police Academy is 3-6 weeks behind schedule. Boyer said the range is named after the late Davenport, former range master and a member of the special weapons team.
In the meantime, students armed with .38 caliber Smith and Wesson guns will have target practice on a shorter firing range near the classroom side of the academy.
"This class is designed to teach the basic fundamentals of shooting," Boyer said. "That includes grip, stance, breathing, trigger control and sight alignment."
Administration of justice major Brandon Zell said, "I'm taking this class to get a better understanding of gun safety."
Boyer said the course has been on hold for six years due to budget constraints and an absence of authorization from the school to employ two professors.
"Two professors costs the school more money," Boyer said. "I had to limit the course to 28 students because of a state mandate that only allows seven students for each instructor."
Boyer said, "Students learn just as much by observing and not just by shooting.
"In order to have 28 students, we must have 14 students shoot, while 14 observe," Boyer said.
Administration of justice major Fernando Chavez said, "I'm taking this class to help get into the Long Beach Police Academy and I don't want shooting to be a problem when I could be spending time studying something else."
The one-unit class is being taught by Officers Marc Cobb and Sean O' Rourke on Thursday evenings from 6-9 p.m. and is located at the Long Beach Police Academy behind the Long Beach Town Center on Carson Street near the 605 freeway.
In related developments, the defensive tactics course, Adus61AD, taught by Officer Omar Martinez, has begun its second semester back after an absence of a few semesters, Boyer said.
"I was looking for a certified instructor to teach the course," Boyer said.
According to the syllabus, the course is designed for students to develop basic self-defense skills through the practice of various defensive tactic techniques.
"The class techniques are based on the Koga system, which all of Long Beach Police Department is trained with," Martinez said. "Robert Koga developed the system by combining his Aikido skills with other disciplines and now travels and teaches other law enforcement agencies."
The defensive tactics course meets at the Police Academy on Saturdays from 9-11 a.m. For more information on Administration of Justice courses, students may call 938-4399.