College aims to make history with unique gunsmithing course

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By Lauren Frederick | February 5, 2020 at 9:18 PM CST – Updated February 6 at 6:24 AM

POCAHONTAS, Ark. (KAIT) – A Region 8 college is making history by adding a unique education course.

Prospective students are lining up after Black River Technical College in Pocahontas was recently approved to offer gunsmithing technology courses.

Dr. Martin Eggensperger, BRTC president, says the program will teach manufacturing in the firearms and munitions industry.

Degree and certificate options include an associate’s degree, a technical certificate, and a certificate of proficiency.

The course curriculum will come from major gunsmithing companies like Choate Machine and Tool, Remington, Sig Sauer, and CZ-USA.

Before being admitted to the course, however, students must meet certain qualifications, including a federal background check and certain age restrictions.

One student who’s been around guns his whole life is excited by the opportunity.

“I’m actually part of a trap shooting team,\” said Samuel Niswonger. \”I would go up to Jacksonville and I’ll shoot up in Sparta, Illinois for the national level. So, I’m very excited about gunsmithing.”

College officials say the program is the only one in the nation to make law enforcement inclusion part of the curriculum.

In the United States, there are only six gunsmithing college-based programs. The closest one to Northeast Arkansas is in Oklahoma at Murray State College.

For more details on Black River Tech’s gunsmithing program, click here.

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https://www.kait8.com/2020/02/06/region-college-offer-gunsmithing-course-arkansas/