Did you know Columbus has a private self-defense school?
Golden Triangle Defense Tactics opened in March 2012. It is located at 154 S. McCrary St.
Asked who his business is aimed at, owner Will Dougan told The Dispatch, “Anybody that wants to learn to defend themselves and become safer in our ever-changing world.”
Dougan lives in the Memphis area, where his full-time job is as a minister with St. Paul United Methodist Church. For roughly a decade, before opening Golden Triangle Defense Tactics, he was an instructor with Rangemaster Firearms Training Services in Memphis.
The classes he offers at Golden Triangle Defense Tactics include everything from “Essential Pistol” to “Essential Shotgun” to “Night Pistol” to “Essential Carbine.” One of the most popular classes is “Enhanced Permit Class.” Another class puts clients in a “force-on-force” scenario, where in a controlled setting someone approaches and begins a confrontation. The client then uses an airsoft gun to defend himself. Another class focuses on the use of pepper spray. Another on the use of batons.
The classes are small (12-person cap), slow paced and the atmosphere is welcoming, Dougan said. The goal is to teach clients not only marksmanship, but firearm safety, firearm mechanics, the legal aspects of deadly force and more.
The business has proved successful. Most classes offered are 80 to 100 percent full, Dougan said. He operates a similar business in Lakeland, Tennessee, and plans on opening one in Collierville, Tennessee, soon.
Participants do not have to own a gun. In fact, Dougan said he encourages clients to not purchase a firearm until after they have taken a class. His hope is that he can help clients find firearms that suit them.
Class prices begin at $75. To schedule a class, call 662-855-1576. The website is goldentriangledefensivetactics.com.
Moving on.
Possum Town Pawn & Gun opened Tuesday.
It is located at 618 Alabama St. in a 10,000 square foot renovated building. James Ballenger, the owner, said the store offers firearms, ammunition, Wiley sunglasses (Bradley Cooper wore the brand in “American Sniper”), K2 Coolers, knives, enclosed trailers, portable buildings and more. They also have climate-controlled storage space available.
The business is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday. The phone number is 662-570-1862.
Lastly, the winner of Rite Aid’s nationwide 2014 Favorite Pharmacy Team Member is a pharmacy technician at the drugstore chain’s Columbus location on Highway 45 North.
Tammie Sherrod has been a pharmacy tech at the store for more than 15 years. She was chosen randomly from more than 7,000 entries from around the country. She will receive $2,500 worth of Rite Aid gift cards. Each entry came from customers who submitted mail-in nominations, uploaded video entries and online ballots in October.
Rite Aid, based in Pennsylvania, operates 4,600 stores in 31 states.
Browning on Business is a weekly column that runs each Thursday. We want your input. Send items and tips to news@cdispatch.com or wbrowning@cdispatch.com.
William Browning was managing editor for The Dispatch until June 2016.
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