In the wake of the Colorado shooting at a movie theater, more southeast Texans are wanting a concealed handgun license. At least that's what one instructor says because his phone has been ringing off the hook since the shooting happened.
The instructor is also a preacher at the Lighthouse Worship Center. Just last year he witnessed two teens burglarizing a building at the church. He stopped them, and held them at gunpoint until police arrived.
That day he realized he wanted to become a CHL class instructor. And now he's getting more calls from people interested in the class than ever.
Now he's known as the pistol packing pastor. Pastor James McAbee stays locked and loaded for his and his family's protection.
"I thank God that there's a way that you can save yourself," McAbee said.
McAbee is a certified licensed instructor and over the past four days his phone has been ringing off the hook.
"The biggest thing that was brought up was the shooting that happened in Colorado. If it happened to them, they would be protecting themselves in the same situation," McAbee said.
McAbee says a licensed gun owner has the power to stop a rampage like the one that happened in Colorado Friday.
Citizens of Beaumont share different views on the subject.
Some said they felt safer knowing people could be carrying a firearm, others said they felt less safe in the same circumstance.
17-year Beaumont Police Veteran Doug Kibodeax spend Monday showing Lamar Students Police Tactics.
He believes citizens should be able to conceal and carry.
"Most people are law abiding citizens just wanting to take care of themselves," Ofc. Kibodeaux said.
But Kibodeaux says a problem arises when several people brandish a gun during a shooting like the one in Colorado.
"Don't be waving a gun around when police get there looking for a gunman," he said.
In the wake of Friday's shooting, the argument of gun control has risen yet again. But Pastor McAbee says new laws will only hurt the good guys.
"Criminals will not listen. With or without guns they're going to find a way to kill people. They're not going to listen to the law," McAbee said.
Pastor McAbee says he is thinking of adding more classes if demand keeps rising.
Beaumont Police say if you are ever in a shooting situation and you have a weapon, be sure you drop it as soon as police arrive.
Otherwise, you may be mistaken for the suspect.
