The Moscow (Idaho) Police Department is teaching firearm safety courses to people charged with negligent discharge of a firearm inside the Moscow city limits.

Those who successfully pass the firearm safety course may have their charges dropped or reduced, depending on the nature of their specific case.

“This is just one that we can work with people here in our own community to try to bring them back on line and not be careless with their firearm,” said Moscow Police Chief James Fry.

Chief Fry said the new course will be offered again to those who are charged with accidentally discharging their weapon and are deemed a fit for the course by the Moscow Legal Department.

According to Moscow Police Department Officer Kris Bragg, the course will cover how to safely clean, load and unload, carry and store firearms. The focus on loading and unloading is because many of the negligent discharges occur when people are attempting to unload their firearm to clean it.

The three hour course will also cover state firearm laws, a review of several types of firearms with a focus on teaching participants how to avoid the mistakes responsible for their negligent discharges.

Thankfully, none of those who incidents resulted in anyone being injured or killed.

“There was an accidental discharge, nothing terrible happened, but let’s give you the option to do some training so that there isn’t a repeat where something really bad may happen,” said Moscow City Councilor Brandy Sullivan.

In order to complete the course successfully the individual(s) will be required to show their proficiency in handling a firearm and pass a written exam, covering the course topics.

For more information regarding the firearms safety course please contact the Moscow Police Department at 208-883-7054.