In light of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, teachers in Pinellas County are looking at ways to protect themselves.

They were given a chance to take a free gun safety course Saturday and hundreds showed up.

They had to use their school identification card to take the gun safety course, which is not typically a requirement, but on Saturday, it was.

It all started in the classroom, and then a group of Pinellas County teachers got some hands on experience when it was time to actually pull the trigger.

Lenny Bogdanos, owner of International Executive Protection in Clearwater, offered up the free course to Pinellas County teachers interested in learning about carrying a concealed weapon.

The ad went viral and Bogdanos got hundreds of calls and emails.

“Hey if you guys want to learn how to carry a weapon in light of shooting, I can do that for you and help you,” said Bogdanos.

Before the class even started, a parking attendant directed traffic and teachers waited in a long line outside to register.

“Just get educated, thought it was a good opportunity to learn something about safety and guns,” said John Flint, a Pinellas County teacher.

“I think that every teacher is concerned about the safety of their own families and their own children like a lot of people and teachers don’t have a lot of extra money,” said another Pinellas County teacher Catherine Durst.

Some teachers said they took the class because they were worried after what happened at Sandy Hook.

“I mean it’s always a concern with recent events, it can be a big concern,” said Flint.

The class was just a chance for teachers to learn how to safely handle and fire a weapon they’re not yet allowed to carry on school property.

Bogdanos said the response was so large he is scheduling another class for Saturday, Feb. 23, to accommodate another 100 teachers.