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NorCal Ministers, Parishioners Taking Shooting Lessons, Arming Themselves In Light Of South Carolina Church Killings

PLACERVILLE (CBS SF) -- Some ministers and parishioners in Northern California are taking protection into their own hands in the event of another church shooting like the one in South Carolina last month. They are learning how to shoot guns, and willing to arm themselves at church if need be.

USA Today reports Geof Peobody, owner and instructor at Peabody's Shooting Range, gives classes to church members. He says he has trained over 400 ministers and their flock.

"We need protection," Debbie Caudle, member of Green Valley Community Church in Placerville, told USA Today. "I feel like we need this in our lives. We need it in church and in our businesses."

Claudle said she never held a handgun in her life. Soon she can get a license to carry one.

Peabody's classes start with instruction in safety. Then, students move to the shooting range. They also learn how to stop a shooter. Peabody says even if his students never touch another gun, they can "interfere with a revolver of semi-automatic and "make it stop operating."

In the case of last month's church shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina, suspect Dylan Roof sat in a prayer meeting with his victims before he killed them. Gun advocates including GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee—are calling for more security and more armed pastors and churchgoers.

"Many people have a problem with somebody in ministry -- or even a Christian in general -- having anything to do with fire arms," Cavalry Chapel Senior Pastor Dominic Triveri said. "But firearms are just firearms and what is done with them is up to the individuals who use them."

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