First Posted: 4/10/2015
WEST PITTSTON — Shane Sonday, 15, was always taught that a gun must be handled with care and respect. His first lesson with a 12 gauge shotgun included how to handle, clean and store it safely – all before he took it to target practice at a plastic trash can. Now, Sonday wants to help others learn the safe way to handle firearms – and learn the legal consequences that may occur when firearms are not handled properly.
As his Eagle Scout service project, the ninth-grade Wyoming Area student will sponsor a free gun safety program at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 in the community room of Trinity Episcopal Church, 220 Montgomery Ave. The program will include a certified gun safety instructor and other local officials.
“People will learn how to handle a gun, the things that can wrong when you don’t handle it correctly and what the consequences and penalties can be if you don’t use and store a gun right,” said Sonday. “So many people think guns are bad when really it’s the way they are handled that’s bad.”
While he was taken away from target practice while learning important things like cleaning, proper positions for shooting and a host of other safety precautions, Sonday is glad he was taught that way.
“It’s better to learn it when you’re young because then it’s second nature,” he said. “It’s very important to learn to respect the power of a gun.”
Having advanced through the Scouting ranks from Cub Scout, Sonday is a member of Troop 311 in Exeter. He also plays soccer and lacrosse for Wyoming Area and is a member of the Claybusters shooting sports club at the Factoryville Sportsman Club. Active in Venturing and Order of the Arrow with Scouts, Sonday said reaching the Eagle Scout rank has long been one of his goals.
“It’s the ones who keep themselves on the straight and narrow that rise above the rest,” said Sonday. “Reaching towards Eagle Scout shows your dedication and commitment to something that is very important in your life. It means so much more than a patch on your chest.”
