In brief: Church will host handgun training

Dumas, Texas – A Baptist church in the Texas Panhandle plans to host concealed handgun training, saying it’s offering the class as a community service because there is so much interest in the area.

People wanting to get a concealed handgun license in Texas must take the class. The Rev. Brad Foster of Calvary Baptist Church in Dumas told the Amarillo Globe-News that a state-certified instructor will teach the first 10-hour class in the fellowship hall March 2. It covers how to safely handle firearms.

“We’ve always attempted to think outside the box as far as what the needs of the community are, and I think this melds well with that philosophy,” he said.

Foster said there has been little negative feedback about the church hosting the class.

“One concern was expressed that this is a political hot-button, especially in our nation, and I certainly am sensitive to that reality,” he said.

“However, we’re not making a political statement, except we don’t mind being associated with being in support of the Second Amendment.”

No-passing zone collision kills five

LaGrange, Ga. – A driver ignoring a no-passing zone on a west Georgia highway crossed into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on into another car, killing himself and four others, including a 1-year-old boy, the Georgia State Patrol said Saturday.

The deadly crash Friday night in LaGrange, near the Alabama state line, also injured two teenage passengers who were airlifted in critical condition to hospitals in Atlanta and Columbus, said Georgia State Patrol spokesman Gordy Wright.

“Alcohol is suspected as a possible contributing factor,” Wright said in an email.