On Oct. 3 and 5, ladies from all over Adams County can join Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield and NRA certified Sheriff’s Deputies at the Southwest Mississippi Training Facility to learn about methods of self defense from Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies and firearms instructors.

Beginning the two-day self defense course on Thursday night, Sheriff Mayfield will address a class of approximately 25 people on the importance of being aware of your surroundings and having the right plan in case of emergencies.

By going over different scenarios of an attack, Sheriff Mayfield and course members will use personal stories and hypothetical situations to teach what to do when threatened by an attacker.

Members of the class will be given the chance to take a look at the security equipment up close after the session as the sheriff and his officers field questions about which form of defense would be best suited for different scenarios.

Pepper sprays, Taser guns, carry-on alarms and whistles are just a few of the non-lethal tools that will be exhibited to the class as methods of protection.

On the morning of Oct. 5, course members will learn about firearms safety as the ACSO opened its firing range for target practice. You do not have to come the first day to participate in the second day.

Attendees will be given the option of bringing their own firearms or using those provided by the ACSO. Participants bringing their own firearms must provide ammunition. Firearms brought to the facility must be unloaded and secured prior to entry.

Before target practice, instructors cover the topics of gun maintenance and cleaning, how to hold a gun and what plan to have in place when having someone in your home or following you in public.

Course participants will then take to the firing range where they can fire at their own personal target as instructors stand by to help with form and aim.

The first class will be Oct. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m., and particpants will learn self defense with Sheriff Mayfield. The second class will be Oct. 5 from 8 to 11 a.m., learning firearms safety and familiarization at the Adam’s County Sheriff’s Firing Range on Foster Mound Road.

These classes are provided as a service to the community and are free of charge. According to Sheriff Mayfield, the Ladies Beware program will be taught to the women of Adams County on a quarterly schedule.

You must be 18 years old to take the course. To register, call the ACSO at 601-442-2752. Due to space, class size is limited.

Courtney S. Taylor is public information officer for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.