It's good to learn gun safety

To the editor:

In response to "Firearms safety program makes its way to Missouri": I would like to say that we have had for a number of years a firearms safety program in place in Missouri. It is the Missouri hunter education program. It not only teaches safe handling of firearms, but also safe hunting practices for young and old alike.

This is not to take anything away from Project ChildSafe, which has been ongoing for a number of years. This program is designed to promote safe gun storage in homes where children are present and is not designed to replace proper and safe firearms handling practices at home or in the field but to enhance it.

As a certified Missouri hunter education instructor, I encourage anyone who has never handled a firearm to take the course in the event a situation occurs that would require someone to operate a firearm in order to make it safe. I also encourage others who so desire to take the course even if they are not required by law to take it in Missouri or any other state. In Missouri the course is free and open to anyone 11 years old and older. You may sit in on the course if you are younger, but you cannot test. And, yes, we give out free gun locks during the course.

GARY E. SULLIVAN, Fremont, Mo.