NATCHEZ — Adams County’s ladies may not be itching for a chance to use their guns in self-defense, but the Adams County Sheriff’s Office is offering them an opportunity to know how to do it properly should the need arise.

The ACSO’s two-part Ladies Be Aware program will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday. Both sessions are at the Southwest Mississippi Training Facility on Foster Mound Road.

Sheriff Chuck Mayfield will teach the Thursday portion of the program, which will focus on self-defense, using improvised weaponry and how to avoid dangerous situations.

“None of that session is physical — we are not throwing each other across the room or anything like that, because in order to learn these types of things you have to practice them,” Mayfield said.

“We are going to be looking at quick ways to defend themselves, but even more importantly, it is how to avoid that situation altogether.”

The classroom session will also examine what kinds of weapons are good for home defense, what to carry in a car and the proper use of non-lethal weapons such as mace, Mayfield said.

The Saturday session will focus on the proper use of firearms and firearm familiarity, and will include shooting practice. Participants who own their own guns may bring them, but those who do not may use one provided by the sheriff’s office.

National Rifle Association-certified instructors will teach the shooting class, Mayfield said.

The classes are free, but participants must be 18. To register for either or both classes, contact the ACSO at 601-442-2752.