Sharing this in case there are any among MDS willing to volunteer their time, expertise, and knowledge to teaching and introducing those in the LGBTQ community to safe firearms handling.
Information below:
https://www.facebook.com/OperationBlazingSword/
Instructor map:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1N0_r7Irlhyi94t7IHxhC_jmysFE
Main post from the BZ Facebook:
They've received over a thousand offers from gun owners and instructors from all over the country, and even a few in Canada, to volunteer. VERY cool project.
An example of one such success story in Houston by a range who's participating in the project:
http://www.click2houston.com/news/local-shooting-range-offers-free-chl-course-to-lgbt-community
Then a week later!
http://www.click2houston.com/news/lgbt-turnout-for-free-course-surprises-local-shooting-range
Information below:
https://www.facebook.com/OperationBlazingSword/
Instructor map:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1N0_r7Irlhyi94t7IHxhC_jmysFE
Main post from the BZ Facebook:
Hello everyone! Thanks for being a part of Blazing Sword, a project launched in order to provide firearm familiarization and basic training to anyone in the LGBTQ community who wishes to learn more about gun ownership in the wake of the Orlando tragedy.
CONTACT DETAILS BELOW. PLEASE CLICK 'MORE'.
If you are LGBTQ and want to learn about guns -- welcome! I'm Erin, the founder of this project. I'm als a lesbian transwoman and gun owner, and the gun community has accepted me as part of their own. I'm sure they'll accept you, too, if you have an open mind about guns.
If you're a gun owner who want to volunteer for training, great! Please realize that you are volunteering to provide initial instruction, range fees, ear/eye protection and ammunition for (1) range trip. While we understand that ammo is expensive (and we encourage our LGBTQ trainees to offer to pay if possible), please realize that you don't have to bring 1,000 rounds of every caliber; just a few magazines' worth of ammo for a single firearm is sufficient.
If that is acceptable to you, please comment here with the following information:
* How you want to be known on the map (name, business name, etc)
* Your city and state
* The best way to for someone to contact you (email, telephone, text, IM, etc)
* Any other information like a business website, instructor certifications, or any other information you'd like potential students to know.
Thank you!
They've received over a thousand offers from gun owners and instructors from all over the country, and even a few in Canada, to volunteer. VERY cool project.
An example of one such success story in Houston by a range who's participating in the project:
http://www.click2houston.com/news/local-shooting-range-offers-free-chl-course-to-lgbt-community
Then a week later!
http://www.click2houston.com/news/lgbt-turnout-for-free-course-surprises-local-shooting-range