Gwinnett Daily Post

LILBURN -- Six weeks away and just a few days after it was announced, a gun safety seminar planned by the Lilburn Police Department already has several dozen registrants.

The department announced this week that it plans to hold the gun safety class at 6:30 p.m. on March 21. The exact location is to be determined based on interest, and it's not looking like the 150-seat auditorium at city hall will be big enough.

Police Chief Bruce Hedley said that, as of Wednesday morning, about 45 people had already signed up for the class. The seminar was made public on Tuesday.

"Gun ownership holds a lot of responsibility and we want to try and educate all segments of the population," Hedley said.

He said that the idea was actually pitched to him by several residents after a similar seminar offered by the Marietta Police Department drew huge crowds at the end of January. Typically bringing in about 100 residents, that class drew more than 500.

"It's a very hot topic right now," Hedley said.

Lilburn's class is slated to cover firearm safety, firearm laws, home defense weapons and alternative weapons. It will be lecture-based and participants are not required to bring anything to the class.

Those interested can register by emailing training coordinator Sgt. Tim Allen at tallen@cityoflilburn.com.

Firearms permit applications nearly doubled in Gwinnett in 2012, with the county's probate court receiving 8,610. Just 4,700 were reported in 2011.