HOUSTON – It was a unique offer by the Shiloh Shooting Range in northwest Harris County, just days after the shooting at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando. Shiloh offered free gun classes to the LGBT community and hundreds of people responded.
"We learned gun safety,” said Jared Anthony. “We learned that it's not ... it's a big responsibility. If you do carry, it's something that you do need to take seriously. You are providing ... you're providing a service to the community really."
Anthony was one of the more than 300 people who responded to Shiloh’s offer of free concealed carry classes. The calls kept coming.
"They're not necessarily what we've been told and we're not necessarily what they've been told,” said Shiloh owner Jeff Sanford.
He said the classes broke barriers. In the first class, he said 60 of 62 who signed up showed up. He said that was a record for a free class.
"Everybody has been so excited about being able to come out and do this. And it's been a great learning experience for not only my community but for their community as well," Sanford said. "They're learning about their rights and learning about the License to Carry Class and they're absolutely thrilled to take it."
Two communities introduced following a tragedy. Two worlds with a better understanding.
“I think they should be supported for what they provide to our community," Anthony said.
Sanford said the offer would continue until everyone has been trained. For more information, he said to email info@shilohshooting.com.