Sta ples I'm wr iting in response to a "letter to the editor" from Shaun Trantina, one of the students of Mrs. Holmberg's fifth grade class. I'm a Minnesota Firearm Safety Instructor for the Staples area and I have been teaching this class for almost 19 years.

This course is set up with at least 12 hours of classroom training and a "field activity" course. In Staples we fit all the classroom hours in two, three day weeks and wrap up with the field activity day on a Saturday.

To clarify testing, that all FAS (Firearm Safety) students must take for certifi cation is in two parts, a written test, and an "activity test" regarding: safe firearm handling, field walk, etc... Now to the issue that Shaun is concerned about, passing students who have actually failed the written test. Yes, I have assisted students to become certifi ed even if they have failed the written test.

There are some students who have difficulty reading or have a hard time taking test ("test-stress") and may fail this test the first time. That doesn't mean that they don't understand that classroom material that was taught to them. If they fail the written test I will give them a "second chance" to take a verbal test. I will take the students aside and ask them questions that are similar to the written test. It is then up to the student to answer the question correctly.

I have been very surprised at the amount of knowledge that some of these students show when answering my question. Not only do they give me the correct answer, but also the reason why it is the "best" answer to my question. I have also failed students in this verbal testing as they haven't answered questions correctly. It is easy to tell those who have studied the classroom materials that were given to them.

No, I don't even think about embarrassing anybody, student or even myself in passing students. I give everybody a fair chance in passing. The very first things all FAS Instructors teach in class is the reason why there is a FAS class. To reduce the "RISK" of hunting, that is to teach R- Responsible, I- Involved, S- Safe, and K- Knowledgeable hunters.

I'm extremely proud of your concerns about hunting safety, with youth like you I can see a bright future of safe and ethical hunting for many years to come. Thank you for voicing your concerns.
Darlys Hamberg
MN Firearm Safety Instructor