by Sarah M. Chen
I’m into week 5 now with my ATF Citizen’s Academy training. So far, I’ve really enjoyed it and learned quite a bit about things I wouldn’t expect like why dogs have such a strong sense of smell, fire investigations in Tijuana, and digital forensics.
Of course, the main draw for the academy is the shooting range day. Was it my favorite week of training? You bet! It was what everyone was pumped up to do. I know I won’t ever get the chance to shoot such a variety of guns all in one day or ever again for that matter (unless I join the alumni association – hmmm, tempting, but more on that later). They were all seized weapons. There were revolvers, pistols, AK-47s, a Thompson submachine gun, and a shotgun. There was even a pen gun. I never heard of a pen gun except maybe in a James Bond film. Sadly, we didn’t get to shoot the pen gun. It was pretty darn cute too and looked exactly like an innocent pen.
The only downside to this day was the heat. It was a record heat wave in Southern California that entire week and of course, range day landed on the hottest day. Not only that but we had to be in Glendale which is at least 10-15 degrees hotter than the beach community where I live. I’m sure temperatures were over 100. All the agents and police officers that helped us that day were there on their own time. It was really impressive how patient they were with us and good-natured despite the unbearable heat.
It wasn’t just guns we learned about either. We were introduced to Junior, a canine agent, and even got to see firsthand how he tackled a suspect to the ground. I’m glad we didn’t have to volunteer to be that guy. We played around in the BearCat or what looked like a giant tank.
I now know my favorite gun to shoot is a Heckler & Koch submachine gun although I doubt I’ll do much with that knowledge. I’m not sure which model it was but it was the most lightweight and had almost no recoil. I could actually hold it without feeling like my arms were going to fall off. But it was extremely powerful. My instructor put it on full automatic once he was satisfied I wasn’t going to shoot everyone around me, and man, was it an experience! That rat-a-tat-tat sound and that feeling of power firing it. It’s both exhilarating and intimidating.
I also learned quite a bit about dogs which I didn’t realize before. Labs are the preferred dogs of choice for the ATF not because of their keen sense of smell which isn’t quite as good as the bloodhound (the breed with the best sense of smell) but their temperament and adaptability are key factors. I didn’t know dogs use the slits on the sides of their noses to exhale and their nostrils to inhale. This enables them to be able to find the source of a smell fairly quickly. They exhale the previous odor and inhale the new odor. If it’s the same odor but much stronger, then they know they’re getting closer. They’re also able to distinguish many different odors at once. So if someone tries to smuggle cocaine by pouring coffee grounds over it, the dog will smell the drug as well as freshly ground coffee.
I’m sad my training is coming to an end soon and am contemplating joining their alumni association. There are several opportunities to help plan events, assist with trainees, go to community fairs, and even be on the board. It’s one more thing to add to my already-busy schedule so I have to decide what exactly I hope to get out of this training. Is it simply research for my writing or do I want to help the agency connect with the community? I don’t have to decide right this second, but it’s definitely something I’m going to be thinking about over my last few training sessions. I’ve met so many interesting people during my training and it’s fascinating to learn what motivates us all to come together once a week.
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Sarah M. Chen has worked a variety of odd jobs, ranging from script reader to private investigator assistant. Her crime fiction short stories have been accepted for publication in All Due Respect, Shotgun Honey, Flash Fiction Offensive, Betty Fedora, Vol. 2, Plan B, and the Sisters in Crime/LA anthology, Ladies Night. Her noir novella, Cleaning Up Finn, is slated for publication in 2016 with All Due Respect Books, proving she can write something over 6,000 words. www.sarahmchen.com
Interesting. I would love to do that. We have guns-A Glock, 22 postol, and 22 rifle. I was raised around shotguns and rifles (hunters in my family). I like less recoil too. Cher’ley
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Thanks, Cher’ley! If I was raised around guns, I probably would have done much better on the range. But I couldn’t get over how heavy all the long guns were. Plus sweating so much that day probably didn’t help!
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Good post, Sarah. I’m not into guns at all but I’d love to learn about all the other things you’ve been learning about, Sarah. I’m sure the whole experience will have given you that better edge to writing about it in crime or thriller stories.
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I think it will be easier for me to describe a character handling different types of guns and how it makes them feel. Of course, it’s much different to be in an environment that’s a life or death situation but thankfully, I haven’t encountered that. And yes, there are so many things I’ve learned that I never dreamed they would teach us. Thanks for commenting, Nancy!
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How interesting. I hope this will be beneficial to you in one way or another.
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It has been so far, Abbie! Just meeting all these wonderful agents and people from all walks of life has made it extremely beneficial. Combined with all the technical knowledge, it’s an experience I will never forget.
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I road along with the police when I was in college for one of my courses, and worked with them in the schools. Also went on the shooting range. It is addictive and so educational. So glad you have had this chance. Alumni, that sounds like a winner. Best to you Sarah. Doris
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Thanks, Doris! I’m seriously considering the alumni association. I love being a part of this group and this entire process.
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This is one of the reasons I think a SinC field trip to a shooting range would be very valuable. Interesting about your observations about things you’d never thought about before. Maybe I’ll consider doing this too?
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I think a field trip to a shooting range would be such a rewarding experience for those who want to participate. Of course, the liability I think is what held us back. It would have to be a shooting range with one on one instruction too. That was KEY for me this time as I did an indoor range before and felt kind of lost as it wasn’t one on one. Diane, you should definitely apply to this. If not ATF, then one of the agencies or local police departments. FBI Citizen’s Academy I hear is great. I’d love to apply to Hermosa Beach PD Citizen’s Academy (sadly it’s running concurrently with this ATF one). Another thing I’m eager to do is Lee Lofland’s Writers Police Academy in Wisconsin.
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Thanks for stopping by. Cher’ley
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This sounds fascinating! I have a couple of friends who are gun collectors, and I own a pistol and am about to buy another, so I have some experience, but this sounds like it would be quite beneficial to my writing as well as a lot of fun.
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Yes, it would definitely be beneficial for you, Joe, since you write crime fiction like me. Plus you’re right, it’s fun! That’s great that you have a couple friends who are gun collectors so you could ask them questions if you ever needed to.
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That sounds like a great time and so insightful. I grew around guns and technically own a few that my dad has. I’ve shot a few semi-automatics, but never a full-auto. (I imagine my aim would be so bad by squeezing a trigger with X shots per second.) I’d love to have an intensive experience like that. Maybe someday I’ll try to sign up too.
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You should apply, Travis! I had no idea you grew up with guns and got to shoot a few semi-automatics. Very cool.
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Such great insights, Sarah, and wonderful knowledge and experience! I especially enjoyed all the information on the dogs — they are smart, loyal, and brave creatures, and I’m so glad the many wonderful police, military, and search and rescue dogs are finally getting the applause and thanks they deserve. Thanks for such an educational post, and good luck with your writing!
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Yes, I loved learning so much about these wonderful dogs. They were so much fun to interact with and I’m glad we got the opportunity to meet them. I thought it was really interesting information about their sense of smell. Makes me look at my dog, Hana, in a whole new light!
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Sounds like education and fun at that course. And food for thought no doubt. Didn’t know that about dogs smelling in that manner either. Bet you are learning a lot more than just about guns with your close encounters with law enforcement people too. It will no doubt make your rich novels richer and more engaging than they already are. Good for you. Thanks for sharing this experience.
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Thanks for commenting! Yes, I am really enjoying getting to know these law enforcement agents and officers. It’s especially enjoyable when I find out they read crime fiction and ask for my card!
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I was a Civil War re-enactor in my younger days. I portrayed a young Confederate soldier from North Carolina, a member of the 26th NC Regiment. Had two rifles, an Enfield and later a Zouave rifle. I imagine you’re going to find a way to use this ‘ATF course’ experience in a novel, maybe something in the vein of “Murder She Wrote.” At our Writers Group in Henderson, we had a guest speaker who trains drug-sniffing dogs. She gave a fascinating talk.
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I used to read scripts back in the day as one of my many jobs and I remember one about re-enactments. I knew very little about that lifestyle and thought it was totally fascinating that people did this. It was a great script too. Sounds like a great writers group to be a part of to have such interesting guest speakers! Thanks for commenting, Mike.
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I suspect you will be joining the alumni association. It will be a chance to connect with members of the community and perhaps hear a few tales that may end up in print.
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I’m surely going to miss this class so yes, the alumni association will be an excellent way to connect as well as hear more fascinating adventures.
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That training sounds really interesting and exciting, Sarah. The information about how dogs inhale and exhale is fascinating.
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Yes, I thought that was fascinating, too! I love learning more about our furry friends.
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