ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Monroe County Sheriff's Department offers a free firearms safety course each month. The class is available to anyone who wants to learn more about gun safety, gun storage and gun laws.
Sgt. Keith Ball is one of Monroe County's most experienced firearms instructors. He develops and runs training courses at the Public Safety Training Facility for law enforcement recruits and everyday citizens. He teaches a free, firearms safety course there once a month.
"We talk about where you can and can't carry a handgun in New York state even if you are a permit holder. We talk about safe storage practices. The whole thing is you need a plan," said Ball.
The class includes videos and discusses scenarios of various crimes, like home invasions, what can you do and what you should do to protect yourself and your property.
"This is more of best case practices, even though you can do something maybe you should call 9-11 first. I caution them by saying I am not telling you not to get involved, just be careful on how deep you get involved," said Ball.
The county has offered the free gun safety course for more than 20 years, but the last few months, the class size has doubled.
"As things like San Bernardino, California happen and Paris, France happen I think people get nervous and they want to protect themselves should something like that happen," said Ball.
Gary Pudup spent more than 30 years in the sheriff's department. He's now an advocate for New Yorkers Against Violence. He's big on gun owner responsibility and thinks gun training should be required and standardized.
"The idea that someone can buy a gun with no training and no experience and even something as simple as how to properly lock it up and secure it so it is not misused by others is really all together reasonable," said Pudup.
Monroe County's free gun safety class scheduled later this month is already filled, but there's still space available in April.