Derik Vanderford|Daily Times Union County native and NRA-certified instructor Gary Peters talks safety during a "Refuse to be a Victim" class at Lockhart Town Hall on Saturday.

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LOCKHART — A class held at Lockhart Town Hall Saturday morning taught 10 local residents how they can “refuse to be a victim.”

The class was taught by Union County native Gary Peters, who is the senior instructor with Shooter’s Stance Firearm Training in Sumter. Peters is NRA (National Rifle Association) certified in Pistol, Shotgun, Personal Protection in the Home, Personal Protection Outside the Home, Home Firearm Safety and Refuse to be a Victim courses. He is also a South Carolina S.L.E.D. Certified Concealed Weapons Permit Instructor and a Police Officer Tactical Shooting Instructor. Along with his instructor certification, Peters is a recruiter for the NRA.

Peters said Saturday’s class was a non-firearms based course.

“These classes talk more about being aware of what criminals are looking for and different self defense options,” Peters said.

Peters said he wanted students to understand how to minimize the risk of victimization by creating personalized safety plans and strategies before they are needed.

“Observe your daily routine and try to see yourself as a criminal,” Peters said. “Identify what mistakes you could possibly make to let them take your belongings. Also, walk around your house and see what a criminal could see if they wanted to case your house. Can they see your valuables? Do your actions draw unwanted attention to you?”

Peters also discussed setting up home defense plans and safe rooms, automobile security and workplace safety, as well as technological, travel and senior citizen security.

Find out more about Peters and other classes available through Shooter’s Stance Firearm Training by visiting www.shootersstance.com.

Staff Writer Derik Vanderford can be reached at 864-427-1234, ext. 29, or by email at dvanderford@civitasmedia.com.