The Friends of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and the NRA Foundation recently presented Lenoir Community College with a $4,500 grant to be used in development and implementation of the Gunsmithing Program offered at the Jones County Center.

Currently the Gunsmithing program is offered through the Continuing Education Division, but plans are underway to offer it as a college credit program.  “The class is very popular and we have an excellent instructor, Tim Whealton,” Associate Dean and Director of the LCC Jones County Center Renee Sutton said. “We are very appreciative to the Friends of the NRA and the NRA Foundation for awarding this grant as it will provide funds necessary to purchase needed equipment for the program.”

NRA Eastern North Carolina Field Representative David Wells said the Friends of the NRA and the NRA Foundation strive to support projects that comply within the mission statement of the foundation.

“We continue to focus on increases in program growth and participation in the areas of service to our communities, youth, education, research, conservation, training and safety,” he said.

The LCC Gunsmithing course provides instruction in troubleshooting, disassembling, repairing and reassembling a variety of firearms, from handguns to rifles to shotguns. “I teach basic maintenance, how to diagnose and fix accuracy problem, scope installation, how to perform important self-check procedures, and more,” Whealton said.

Sutton said currently the program is comprised of five comprehensive modules from firearm safety to metal turning operations for gunsmiths.

For more information on Gunsmithing class offerings, contact Sutton at (252) 448-5021. 

Pictured left to right are LCC Vice President of Continuing Education Dr. Jay Carraway, LCC Gunsmithing instructor Tim Whealton, Associate Dean and Director of the LCC Jones County Center Renee Sutton, NRA Eastern North Carolina Field Representative David Wells, Chair of the local chapter of the Friends of the NRA Larry Benton, and LCC Dean of Business and Industry Programs Gary Clements.