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Susanville resident urges county support for restoring Lassen College gunsmithing program
Summary
Dave Williams told the board he and community members formed the Lassen Gunsmithing Action Committee after the College Board of Trustees decided to discontinue the nearly 100‑year‑old gunsmithing program, and he asked supervisors to encourage college leaders to reopen discussion and partner on a sustainable plan.
"It's almost a 100 year old program," Dave Williams told the Lassen County Board during public comment, urging supervisors to support a newly formed Lassen Gunsmithing Action Committee working to persuade Lassen College trustees to reverse a decision to discontinue the program.
Williams said the gunsmithing curriculum provides welding, machining, precision measurement and CNC fundamentals — vocational skills that create pathways to high‑wage technical jobs and that are especially important in rural workforce development. He said the committee intends to work with college leadership, faculty, business partners and alumni to identify sustainable funding and program structures.
Williams asked the board — which does not govern the college — to "throw your weight and your support" behind the committee to open a partnership dialogue with the Board of Trustees so the committee can "hit the ground running" on potential solutions.
Why it matters: County supervisors do not directly control Lassen College, but local elected officials’ public support can shape discussions about vocational programs and foster collaboration with regional employers. Williams framed the program as both a historic asset and a practical workforce pipeline for trades in the region.
Next steps: Williams said the committee is beginning outreach and intends to request meetings with college leadership; the board heard the comment during the public‑comment period and took no formal action at the meeting.
