The Dallas County Sheriff’s Department will hold a gun familiarization, gun safety class May 28 at the FOP Lodge on Highway 140.

The class is for adults 21 and older who want to learn about how to safely and correctly handle firearms.

“Over the last several years we’ve seen an increase in pistol permits,” said Sgt. Mike Granthum with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department. “There’s been an outcry. People are buying pistols now that never have for home protection and we’ve seen an outcry for a program that would teach them how to handle it and how to be safe. They want to be able to operate the weapon proficiently and they want to be safe with it.”

The cost is $25 per person but the course is limited to 20 people. Registration will start Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department and will take place on a first come, first served basis.

A pistol permit is required to take the course, but can be applied for at the time of registration.

“We did one last year and we had such a big demand and they call back all the time wanting a gun course,” Granthum said. “This is the first one of the year and we plan on doing at least one more in the fall when the weather cools off.”

The first half of the class will take part in a classroom setting and then there will be  a break for lunch. Following lunch, participants will be on the shooting range where they will get a chance to test what they’ve learned.

For more information, contact the Dallas County Sherriff’s Department at 874-2530.