Minnesota Carry Day & Safety Education Expo Set for October 11, 18

Two Twin Cities women are once again joining forces with Harley Davidson dealerships to hold Minnesota Carry Day & Safety Education Expo 2014, an annual event which promotes gun safety and provides self-defense training and information to the community. The events are set for October 11 and 18 at Zylstra Harley Davidson, Elk River, and St. Paul Harley Davidson, St. Paul, respectively.

According to the press release, each event — organized by Gretchen Morris, a business owner from Elk River, and Shelley Leeson, volunteer director of Twin Cities Gun Owners & Carry Forum — will host a variety of different vendors, including local law enforcement, firearms instructors, martial arts trainers, non-lethal self defense products and personal safety trainers. Nationally recognized speakers will be on hand, and there will be free information sessions covering a host of topics, such as personal safety for kids and adults, Q & A with law enforcement, gun safety practices, non-lethal self defense options, permit-to-carry and more.

Each event will also afford attendees the opportunity to win two Taurus firearms for home defense and lawful carry: a Taurus Millennium G2 9mm subcompact and a Taurus PT140 Millennium Pro G2 .40 cal.*

As the press release notes, the Oct. 11 event at Zylstra Harley Davidson, Elk River, features a bevy of fascinating speakers, including nationally recognized author, firearms trainer and United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) Chief Instructor Michael Martin, who will present “What We’ve Learned about School Shooters.” James Fleming, criminal defense attorney and founder of Mid-Minnesota Self-Defense, is set to present “Aftermath,” which will teach you what to do in the aftermath of a deadly self-defense encounter. Meanwhile, Minnesota Rep. Brian Johnson will tell you how to effectively communicate with representatives, and a Sherburne County Sheriff’s Dept. deputy will discuss permit holder responsibilities and answer questions. Other experts will talk about a variety of personal safety topics.

“The Oct. 18 event at St. Paul Harley Davidson, St. Paul, will feature information sessions which include martial arts trainer and 4th degree black belt Katie Anderson, USA Karate – Woodbury, who will offer tips on self defense and escape techniques for both kids and adults,” the press release reads. “There will be an overview featuring stun guns and other less-than-lethal self defense products by Stun & Run Self Defense LLC. Self defense trainer Jack Pettengill of Dynamic Defensive Arts will give an overview of self defense techniques that employ the use of leverage and how to use items like keys and cell phones as self defense tools. Representatives from Bill’s Gun Shop and Range – Hudson will talk about “Gun Safety Basics.” Minnesota Rep. Tony Cornish is slated to share thoughts about being responsible gun owners and hunters, and there will also be a number of other information sessions throughout the day.”

Each family-friendly event is free and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with free parking. Vendors and Info Sessions are subject to changes or additions. Info Sessions are free to attend but seating will be limited and will be filled on a first-come basis. Attendees can enter drawings for a chance to win door prizes and give-aways. Breakfast and lunch fare will be available for purchase from Uncle Franky’s mobile food truck, which will be on site at both events serving their locally famous hotdogs, sandwiches, fries, mini-donuts and more.

*Actual firearm door prizes may differ from those listed. Firearm door prizes will be in the form of a certificate which the winner(s) will need to redeem through a Federal Firearms Licensed dealer (FFL). Firearm door prize winners will be required to meet all legal requirements and qualifications including but not limited to age requirements, complete Form 4473, submit to a NICS background check and have the firearm shipped to a FFL dealer for delivery.