On Wednesday, the instructors became the students as members of the law enforcement community throughout South Alabama attended a FBI Firearms Instructor certification course.

A bevy of departments from those based in Covington County to those as far away as Eufaula and Henry County were attending the course at the Wilbur Williams Law Enforcement Training Facility on Montezuma Drive.

Principal firearms instructor Special Agent George Glaser said the course is designed to teach officers how to instruct the mechanics of a pistol, rifle and shotgun.

Those skills will be put to use locally as the Andalusia Police Department hosts its first women’s handgun familiarization class next Saturday.

Limited to 20 seats, the class filled within the first hour after being announced in The Star-News, said Brandy Holmes, APD administrative assistant.

“Since the first one filled so quickly, we’ve decided to hold another on May 19,” she said. “We think it’s going to be a very popular class again, so if you want a seat, I’d urge you to call and register as soon as possible.”

The course is a basic handgun familiarization class, designed to teach women who have a weapon for personal protection. Its goal is to arm attendees with the knowledge of safety, handling and operation of a handgun.

Class will be held that Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon at the training facility and will consist of both classroom work and range instruction. The range portion of the course will be taught by four FBI-certified firearms instructors – the majority of whom were receiving a recertification to instruct on at Wednesday’s FBI class.

Class size will again be limited to 20 students. The cost is $10 per person, and one must provide her own unloaded handgun and a minimum of 50 rounds of ammunition. Eye and ear protection will be provided unless brought by the participant. One is encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

Payment can be made the day of the class in the form of cash, check or money order payable to the Andalusia Police Department Equipment and Education Fund.

Reservations are required and can be made by calling Smith at 334-222-1155 or 334-222-1253.