Losing a fear of firearms

Jackson grandmother Cathi Stoverink said she was tired of being scared of guns that weren't pointed at her. Her 7-year-old granddaughter, Kari Jo Moore, could recite the safety rules of the firearm range, so, Stoverink said, she finally decided that "grandma's got to learn how to do what they do."

Stoverink said she had only shot a gun one time before Saturday, the day she took a concealed-carry course taught by her son-in-law, Christopher Moore of Jackson.

Moore owns and operates Point Blank, a firearm training facility in rural Jackson that offers courses ranging from the beginner conceal-carry course Stoverink took to tactical training and wilderness survival. Point Blank also does private investigations and provides bodyguard services.

Moore, a former Marine, has an array of firearms and law enforcement certifications, including sniper and SWAT training. He also has held the Southeast Missouri State University accuracy record for police firearm training since 2001.

The eight-hour conceal-carry course consists of classroom and range training. Moore said he wishes the state required more hours, because it is hard to give out all the necessary information in the given time frame.

During the classroom portion, students receive an introduction to Missouri laws on carrying concealed weapons and use of deadly force, instruction on firearms safety and cleaning, and an explanation of the three best areas to shoot to disable an attacker.

"Our training programs are geared around your survival in a deadly situation," Moore told Stoverink and the rest of the class. "It's more than just strapping on a gun. We will prepare you to protect your life by taking someone else's, and that's a huge responsibility."

Stoverink said she was interested by the classroom training and the moral issues raised.

"We got into some really interesting discussion about when deadly force is allowed," she said. "It's only when a person's life is threatened, but sometimes it's hard to make that decision in a split second. That's why it's good to discuss it before you're in that really stressful situation."

After viewing a computer-generated 3-D model of a semiautomatic handgun's operation, the class headed to the range for the live-fire portion of the training.

Christopher Moore demonstrated how to hold a weapon properly when dealing with a subject at close range during a conceal-carry training course at Point Blank in rural Jackson.

Moore showed the group effective positions for accurate shooting that minimize the possibility of jammed or dropped firearms.

Moore told the group about a Department of Justice report that most attackers were 12 feet or less away from victims in fatal shootings.

"There's no room for error in an engagement that close," Moore said.

Stoverink said although she has been blessed not to be in a situation where she felt her life was threatened, now she has the skills to defend herself if need be.

She said she fired around 100 rounds during the live-fire portion of the training and was well within state guidelines for a conceal-carry permit.

Christopher Moore taught his students about the various parts of a double action only revolver during conceal-carry training at Point Blank.

"My right arm feels like it's about to fall off," Stoverink said. "I have a great deal of respect for people who can handle themselves coolly around shooting."

Moore said Stoverink did well for her first time firing.

"Her safety was good, her marksmanship was good, she just did a great job all around," Moore said. "I want people to leave my courses with a good safety level with firearms. I want them to have the confidence to defend themselves, if need be."

Stoverink said her instinct before the training would have been to retreat in a dangerous situation, but now, under the right circumstances, she said she thinks she could use what she learned to protect herself or her family.

"I have a new respect for firearms," Stoverink said. "Knowledge is much better than fear."

pwylie@semissourian.com

Cathi Stoverink handed out targets to other students during concealed carry training at Point Blank. (Aaron Eisenhauer)

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