Confidence was the name of the game as a group of Crenshaw County women, including one from Pike County, attended a handgun course designed just for them.

Members of the Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office, which was led by Investigator Ronnie White, and other law enforcement officers, presented the class Saturday morning at the EMA building.

“A gun should be your last resort, but if someone comes into your house, it’s your first resort,” Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Investigator Earl Thompson said. “A Smith & Wesson is a universal language.”

“The more you shoot your weapon, the more confident you’ll be,” he said. “Men will fear a confident woman—they’re looking for fear in your eyes.”

Deputy Mason Adcock agreed.

“Don’t be scared to use your weapon,” he told the group. “You’ve got to have confidence to use it—if you learn anything from this class, let it be that.”

The group of women learned the different parts of their weapons and how to break them down. State Fire Marshal Chuck Gorey taught about correct sight alignment, while all the officers stressed safety.

“Many women’s guns that are believed to be unloaded accidentally kill someone because they didn’t realize they were actually loaded,” Adcock explained.

After the classroom session, the group was taken to the Luverne firing range.

“It’s easier to teach someone who hasn’t fired much before because they don’t already have bad habits to change,” Marine SGT Clifton Trotter said.

Barbara Bouchard of Troy was a prime example of this.

“This is the third time I’ve shot a gun in my life,” Bouchard said. “I feel like I’m coming away from this class with a lot more confidence.”

Bouchard, who owns a .38 Special and a Hungarian PA63, said she was glad to know more about “how to handle a gun.”

Brantley resident Tori Sands came away with a lot more than just shooting practice.

“I’ve learned more about how to pick the weapon that’s best suited for me,” Sands said. “And, safety, of course, is the most important thing.”

Sands, along with the other women, thanked the officers for the class.

“I appreciate them taking their time on a Saturday morning to help us,” Sands said, “and I really appreciate them being so patient with us.”