County Democrats host gun safety event at Midwest
Auglaize County Democrats gathered at the Midwest Shooting Center in Cridersville Saturday to fundraise and to educate individuals on gun safety.
Joe Monbeck, the Democratic challenger for the 84th Ohio House District, said “We’re not anti-gun. I believe in the Second Amendment, but I believe (gun safety) education is necessary and should be necessary. What they hear about Democrats they hear on national news.”
Eric Schumann of Wapakoneta said he thought there was also a misconception about the Second Amendment and said it was meant to bring justice to an unjust government.
Party Chairman Brent Henschen said he had shot .22 and a
12-gauge in his youth and has experience with guns from years in law enforcement. He said Democrats are for common sense gun ownership. He said he believes some people shouldn’t have guns and that some weapons such as assault rifles shouldn’t be held
by anyone.
Frank Valenti of Cridersville, who helped organize the event, said it was important for people to be educated on gun safety and that they buy guns from a reputable dealer.
“Its important to learn about guns and know how to use them properly,” he said.
Democrat Shannon Freshour, who is challenging Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan in the Fourth Congressional District race, said she had members of her family who hunt, and didn’t want be intimidated by firing a weapon. Freshour said being in an environment with people at the same level was helpful.
Freshour said she doesn’t want people who are threats — domestic abusers or those considering suicide — to be able to access guns.
Matt Lomakin, an instructor with Midwest Shooting Center, said gun safety wasn’t a political stance and wanted everyone to be safe around guns. He started his presentation with an awareness test where people counting basketball passes missed observing a moonwalking bear. He said it was important to be observant around guns at all times. He also reviewed aiming, breath control, hold control, and trigger control.
Lomakin said it is important to always verify if a gun is loaded as a gun’s safety can fail.
He also told individuals to never use guns if they plan on drinking or using drugs.