Gun Owners: Know Your Rights & Responsibilities.

With gun sales on the rise, rights one police department in Marion is making sure citizens are aware of their gun rights and laws.

Gun sales, which spiked sharply during the early months of the pandemic, have continued to increase, with first-time buyers making up more than one-fifth of Americans who purchased guns. With recent shootings in Meridian, The Marion police department is hosting firearms responsibilities & rights, free class, to all citizens.

“As law enforcement I think sometimes we fail to educate the public and about their rights, gun laws, which I think we need to be more educated ourselves in.”

Ross Bell Co-Owner of Rockhouse Gun & Pawn agrees with the Chief as far as new gun owners not being informed enough.

“We try to point them in the right direction and see what exactly is safe for them, see what fits them best, and also try to educate them on a brief understanding of the firearm and how to properly use it, how to be safe with it.”

Local gun dealers say they have definitely seen an increase in first-time gun owners purchasing during the pandemic.

“So it comes in waves, especially when something's going on if there's a tragedy or something like that.”

A future gun owner tells us what influenced her on purchasing her first firearm.

“Well, to protect myself, just in case, especially with the trafficking and kidnapping stuff going on.” Delasia Watts said.

Since she has never owned a firearm or taken any class Delasia plans on making sure she is well informed before making her purchase.

“Well, right now, I'm just looking, but probably going to take the class within next week”

The Marion police department will be hosting the free class on Sept. 23 at 5:30 pm at the Shriners building in Marion.