Centurion Concepts: Empowering Communities Through Gun Safety

By: Grace Smith – Wise News Network

SHELBY, NC (WNN) – In the changing landscape of firearm regulation, numerous gun owners actively pursue information on firearm safety. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly one-third of American adults own a gun. At the same time, a majority of Americans are concerned about gun violence. 

Two individuals put the matters of gun safety in their own hands. Scott Norton is a retired police officer. He worked for the Gastonia Police Department (GPD) for his entire career. He and his son, Steven Norton, worked together to found Centurion Concepts NC. 

Their organization seeks to educate civilians about gun safety. Their primary principle is teaching patrons to defend, not to kill.

Centurion Concepts gun safety courses include a North Carolina Concealed Carry class, Safety and Marksmanship Basics, Defender and Night Defender. Private lessons are also offered. Each class is designed to help gun owners become prepared for specific defense scenarios. 

Both Scott and Steven Norton are skilled marksmen. Scott Norton has worked for GPD’s SWAT Department and Steven Norton served as a U.S. Marine.

Steven Norton said there are four main rules to keep in mind regarding gun safety. 

“Treat every weapon as if it were loaded, never point your weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot, keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you’re ready to fire; and to know what’s beyond your target and what’s behind you as well.” said Steven Norton. 

He also believes that a responsible gun owner needs to know their guns well, from the safety mechanisms to the trigger. 

“They need to know which kind of firearm they have and how it operates; they need to know how to store that safely, when they have children or juveniles in the home or when they’re not around their firearm.” said Steven Norton.

In addition to offering classes to civilians, Centurion Concepts holds active shooter readiness events for businesses and places of worship.

“We’ll show them how to respond, what to do and what to expect in the event of something, not necessarily an active shooter, but something a little more out of the ordinary that doesn’t normally happen in businesses, and let them be prepared.” said Steven Norton. 

Scott Norton emphasizes that Centurion Concepts focuses on prevention when it comes to active shooter training. 

“There’s just dozens of things that churches and businesses can do to prevent crime from happening,” said Scott Norton. 

Scott Norton mentioned that only 4% of annual active shooting incidents occur at places of worship, a relatively low figure compared to schools or shopping malls. Due to this lower risk, places of worship can implement simple precautions rather than extensive safeguards.

A recommended precaution for places of worship is having greeters as an additional security measure.

“They’re greeters and they’re guardians. So they’re there to greet people that come into their place of worship, but they’re also there to be very vigilant.” said Scott Norton. 

There is not a specific formula when it comes to active shooter prevention. Every business will need to follow a different strategy. However, Scott Norton has been studying active shooter situations since the 90s and uses statistics to help businesses find their best option. 

Scott Norton addressed an instance where active shooter prevention worked. He talked about the mass shooting in Nashville at the Covenant School and how the perpetrator attempted to attack another location before.

“We do know from Nashville police that the individual went by another establishment first, but then discovered that the security was too tight and then went to the secondary location where children lost their lives” said Scott Norton. 

Seven individuals died at the Covenant School. The shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

Scott Norton mentioned the Nashville shooting to highlight how being watchful is crucial. The primary location had strong security, so the shooter picked another target where several children died.

In America, mass shootings are a recurring issue. On Wednesday, February 14, individuals opened fire on the crowd at the Super Bowl Parade in Kansas City. One person died and 22 were injured. 

Two minors have recently been convicted with connections to the shooting, according to the Associated Press. This incident was the 48th American mass shooting of 2024.

The shooting at the Super Bowl Parade took place on the sixth anniversary of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas shooting in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people died.

In addition to technical skills and situational awareness, mental health is a crucial component when it comes to gun safety. According to the National Library of Medicine, over half of gun-related fatalities are self-inflicted. 

The approach to gun safety should encompass the entire spectrum of challenges. Whether preparing for an active shooter scenario or supporting friends who exhibit signs of depression, the importance of gun safety should be vocalized. 

Centurion Concepts wants to make communities safer by teaching people about gun safety. Scott and Steven Norton are dedicated to changing how people view guns. They believe guns should be seen as tools for protection, not destruction.

• Interested in learning more? Visit Centurion Concepts’ website: https://centurionconceptsnc.com/

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