There's a simple reason people were sitting in all day class at the Twin City Rifle Club in Pleasant Hill Saturday — to do the right thing.

Dash Cannon of Enfield, who was taking the class with his wife, Ashley, said it was his wife who told him about the class.

“I've been wanting to take the class for a while,” he said, “To actually know the laws and what you can and can't do to stay out of trouble.”

Cannon said he hasn't encountered any problems where he would need to use deadly force. “Not yet, but if it does happen, I want to know the right thing to do.”

Dash and Ashley.

The Cannons are expecting their first child, Ashley said, and since break-ins are now occurring more in the daylight hours she said, “I want to know the right thing to do.”

King takes part in the discussion.

Johnnie King, who is also from Enfield, is on the road constantly. Retired, he works as an advocate for children and wants to make sure, “I'm on the right side of the law.”

King said he has been lucky because he has had a gun pulled on him before. “I was able to talk my way out.”

Early into class King said he learned now, should a situation take place, “I don't have to retreat.”

King has bought seven weapons since November, three of them pistols within the last month and a half for protection. “It's a drive of people to want to take care of their homes, being able to survive an assault.”

Evans looks over material.

Amecia Evans of Weldon has a 12-year-daughter. Though she has never been a victim of crime, people around her have. “I don't want to be left out there unprepared.”

Next month: More interviews with people taking the class.