Women take on firing range
By PETER BUTTRESS Special to The State

Sixteen women, some carrying revolvers and semi-automatic pistols, gathered
in the courtroom of Lexington Town Hall to learn about firearms safety from
Lexington Police Chief Mike Roth.
Debbie Pstrak of Gilbert, who doesn’t own a gun, said she had used a rifle
and shotgun in the past but had never held a handgun.

“I’m kind of scared of guns, and I thought this would help me,” she said.

At the conclusion of the lecture two hours later, the women drove to the
Batesburg Police Department shooting range to get some practical instruction
in shooting from Roth and Lexington Police Maj. Stace Day.

Shirley Orengo-Brown of Lexington, who owns a semi-automatic pistol, said
she has three children and her husband travels. She came to the class to
learn how to use the pistol and to understand the rules about justifiable shooting.

“If my house was ever broken into, I would like to think I would have some of those safety training rules that would help me decide when I can shoot and when not to shoot,” she said. “So coming here is like having a fire escape plan. You have a plan what you should do if, God forbid, you need to
defend yourself.”

At the class held last Saturday, Roth told participants that every
law-abiding citizen has the right to own a weapon for protection. If someone breaks into a woman’s home, she can use the gun in self-defense, he said.
But if she sees someone stealing her car outside, she shouldn’t shoot.
Instead, she should call police.

Roth advised the women to have a safe room in the house, such as a bedroom, where a telephone is installed. If they hear strange noises, gather the children, retreat to the safe room, lock the door and call police. They should use the gun only if the perpetrator breaks down the door and enters
the room.

Roth cautioned the women about shooting and missing their intended target.
Bullets can go through windows and walls and hit an innocent victim, he
said.

Because of high interest in firearms safety among women, another class will probably take place in March, Roth said.

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