On Colorado State University’s campus, there’s a class on concealed carry laws and gun safety — but it isn’t taught by the University. Sophomore engineering student Andrew Fletcher, a National Rifle Association-certified instructor, teaches a weekly course that provides information that he says can be especially important for students.
“We live in a hostile world in which we have seen that not even a college campus can be a safe location,” Fletcher’s website states, adding that it’s important to “prepared and ready for any and everything.”
Andrew Fletcher, an NRA-certified instructor who worked as an armored truck driver, demonstrates proper gun safety to Karl Schwingen, a sophomore fish and wildlife biology major, Monday night during a concealed carry safety class. (Photo credit: Kevin Olson.)
However, according to the website, the class does not provide a hostile or intense environment, but “it is the perfect way to come learn to shoot and develop friendships in the process.”
The class is not affiliated with CSU and is available to students and non-students alike through Hidden Defense, Fletcher’s company. The course goes over the ins and outs of basic firearm safety, state laws regarding the use and possession of firearms and basic knowledge of what to do in a situation that may require you to use a firearm.
“I’ve been around guns a long time,” Fletcher said when asked why he decided to teach the class. “When I took my (concealed carry) class here in Colorado, I thought … this is awesome. Why not teach this to others?”
(Photo credit: Kevin Olson.)
At a class held Nov. 2, attendees were enthusiastic about what Fletcher was teaching and how it could be beneficial to anyone looking to understand concealed carry laws.
“Being ex-military, I think it is important to defend yourself at all times in any situation,” said Karl Schwingen, a sophomore fish and wildlife biology major who served in the military for six years. “It was my job to protect people I don’t know for a living, so doing that on campus is a no-brainer for me.”
Annikka Spence, an attendee who is not a CSU student, has similar views on why the class is important.
“Growing up around guns and having my dad teach me about them made me want to take this class,” Spence said. “I want to carry on that knowledge so I can protect myself and my family.”
The class, called the Colorado Concealed Carry Class, is held every Monday from 5-9 p.m. at varying locations on campus. Fletcher is always looking for more students to teach about gun safety and laws, and his class is available to anybody eager to learn.
Collegian Reporter Allec Brust can be reached at news@collegian.com or via Twitter @brustyyy.