MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer
Posted: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 11:54 am

Even though reporter Michelle Willard's aim wasn't perfect, her form was good at the MPD firing range.

Tuesday was easily the most anticipated class of the Murfreesboro Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy, because we went to the firing range.

We shot five rounds from an MPD duty weapon – a Glock 40-caliber semi-automatic pistol.

But before we got to the fun part our adult supervision, Maj. Clyde Adkison and Sgt. David Johnson, impressed the importance of gun safety on the class.

Adkison told us to treat all guns with respect, care and caution regardless of your level of experience.

And apparently we were an experienced group with everyone having shot either a rifle, shotgun, revolver or pistol previously, and over half the class as handgun-carry permit holders.

Despite our knowledge, Adkison gave us a refresher course in gun safety, because really you can never be too safe with a gun.

Put simply, the best way to handle a gun is to always treat as if it is loaded and point it in a safe direct (away from people you like) like downward or down range.

When we were finally unleashed at the MPD firing range, Johnson and Adkison instructed us on how to properly hold and fire the weapon.

I did relatively well, considering it was my first time firing a pistol. My shot grouping (the placement of successive shots to one another) was good, even if my aim wasn’t perfect.

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.