Firearms Grant Takes Shape

A firearms training grant, proposed by District 7 Assembly Member Ron Bernier and adopted in the 2025 fiscal year budget in May, now has a scope and general plan. The funding was prompted by a lack of Alaska State Trooper presence in the Upper Susitna Valley.

Mat-Su Borough Purchasing Manager Russ Krafft presented the proposed plan for how the grant would work at this week’s Assembly meeting. The Borough is expected to release a Request for Proposals soon.  Krafft says there are about 12 to 15 firms in Anchorage and the Valley that might be able to take on a project like this. He explains that they hope the curriculum would include basic firearms training, the use of deadly force and legal implications of doing so, and alternatives to deadly force. 

At a minimum, the selected contractor would provide trainings in at least three locations: Talkeetna/Willow, Meadow Lakes/Big Lake, and Palmer. Contractors will propose specific locations and would be responsible for acquiring permission to use those sites. 

Krafft says they expect that residents would pay nothing for the course. The $75,000 grant will cover the costs for an estimated 300 residents, though it may be more, depending on what the contractors propose.

The program has already gained interest from residents interested in training the whole family. Minimum age for the program will be determined by the contract proposers based on their liability requirements.