NORWICH – The public is welcome to join as David Francis, local business owner of Heading Due North Guns and Ammo Shop, offers community education and self-defense courses this fall.

Francis will be instructing two classes. The first class, titled ‘Refuse to be a Victim,’ will meet from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 19 and is open to anyone who wants to learn personal safety strategies. Francis’ second class will meet 1 to 5 p.m. on the same day at the Episcopal Church, open to anyone 18 or older who wishes to learn the basics and proper use of pepper spray.

“These are great courses,” said Francis. “The goal is simply not to be a victim. They teach you how to prepare and to protect yourself from a distance ... It’s another tool for the average person to not get hurt.”

Francis, who has owned his shop for three years and offered gun use and safety education courses for two, said he has never offered non-firearm training courses before. He has been preparing for the classes since spring and is excited to teach something new to the community. His goal, he said, is to train others to avoid conflicts before confronting them.