DUMAS, Texas—A Baptist church in the Texas Panhandle plans to host concealed handgun training, saying it's offering the class as a community service because there is so much interest in the area.

People wanting to get a concealed handgun license in Texas must take the class. The Rev. Brad Foster of Calvary Baptist Church in Dumas told the Amarillo Globe-News ( http://bit.ly/11x96rw) for a story in Saturday's editions that a state-certified instructor will teach the first 10-hour class in the fellowship hall March 2. It covers how to safely handle firearms.

"We've always attempted to think outside the box as far as what the needs of the community are, and I think this melds well with that philosophy," he said.

Two more classes are planned and the church will offer more if there's still interest. Foster said people from across the region, not just church members, have expressed interest in the training. More than half of those enrolled are women and some are teachers.

Jim Edlin, the church's Sunday school director and an organizer of the class, said he looks forward to sharing his experience in the class with others in the community.

"It'll make people feel more secure about where they are, and hopefully the more people get the license the safer we'll all be," he said.

Foster said there has been little negative feedback about the church hosting the class.

"One concern was expressed that

this is a political hot-button, especially in our nation, and I certainly am sensitive to that reality," he said. "However, we're not making a political statement, except we don't mind being associated with being in support of the Second Amendment."

Dumas is about 50 miles north of Amarillo.

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Information from: Amarillo Globe-News, http://www.amarillo.com