Handgun saftey courses? anti-gun people can just not click the link

[vi edit]

I've used shotguns and rifles for years and been through the hunter saftey courses, but handguns a completely different type of weapon and have different saftey needs and requirements.

I'm considering purchasing a handgun but would like to take the course beforehand. I went out to the NRA website and they only had one class listed on there. It was $400 and had the following info:

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Whether you are a new gun owner or shooter or hunter in search of training, NRA's Education & Training Division is here to help you find a course to meet your needs.
If you are an Instructor or Training Counselor, click here to have your NRA course added to this list. Your course will be posted within five business days.


Course Descriptions:
Basic Rifle: 14 hours. FIRST STEPS Rifle: 3+ hour orientation.
Basic Pistol: 10 hours. FIRST STEPS Pistol: 3+ hour orientation.
Basic Shotgun: 10 hours. FIRST STEPS Shotgun: 3+ hour orientation.
Personal Protection: 12 hours.
Home Firearm Safety: 4 hours.
Muzzleloader Training for rifle, pistol or shotgun.
Range Safety Officer: 9 hours.
Instructor Training.
Metallic Cartridge Reloading.
Shotgun Cartridge Reloading.

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Arizona View all courses in Arizona | Return to Search form
Mesa - Friday, March 26, 2004, 856 E Isabella, $395
Kenneth Woodward, 480 497 5142. , kenewoodward@cox.net
Class types: Basic Pistol, First Steps Pistol, Personal Protection, Home Firearm Safety, Instructor Training
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Does anyone know, is the $400 just for one class, or does it cover multiple topics (basic pistol, first steps, personal protection, ect)? Also, I'm assuming you don't need to actually own a handgun for the classes correct? Does anyone have any links to other sites that would list where you can find training classes? I'd eventually be owning the gun in Arizona if that is important.

Thanks!

 

[ElFenix]

you gun nuts piss me off!

 

[Adul]

it would be nice if hey required classes to own a hand gun, driver's license, etc

 

[Adul]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
you anti-gun nuts piss me off!

 

[vi edit]

It was interesting looking at the breakdown of classes offered by states on the NRA website. Excluding Michigan, Ohio had more classes offered than all the other states combined?

 

[BatmanNate]

Originally posted by: Adul
it would be nice if hey required classes to own a hand gun, driver's license, etc

In this state I'm pretty sure classes are required for a conceal & carry permit, but I'm not sure about just plain ownership. Nothing is required save an FBI background check for rifles & shotguns though, and that's all I've ever bought here.

 

[DrNoobie]

Mmmm...torn flesh and sinew. Gotta love bullets.
My father just signed up for a CCW class, it was $160, but it wasn't through the NRA. It looks to me as though the $400 is for one class, which seems rather high. The gun shop my father went to gave him a brochure with the training classes when he bought his handgun. You might check around some local shops to see if they have anything on other training courses.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: BatmanNate

Originally posted by: Adul
it would be nice if hey required classes to own a hand gun, driver's license, etc

In this state I'm pretty sure classes are required for a conceal & carry permit, but I'm not sure about just plain ownership. Nothing is required save an FBI background check for rifles & shotguns though, and that's all I've ever bought here.

From another site, heres' what's required to get a CCW in AZ:

Training requirement for the initial CCW course is a minimum of 16 hours, conducted by an approved organization within the borders of Arizona. The renewal course must be a minimum of four hours. Courses include a written exam and shooting "qualification," each of which requires a minimum score of 70% to pass. The written exam consists of 30 questions and covers the six areas of training required by the statute. The "qualification" consists of five rounds fired at five yards and five rounds fired at 10 yards. There is no time limit.

 

[K1052]

Arizona is a very gun pro-gun state. Concealed Carry and Class 3 (full auto).

 

[BDawg]

I agree that you should have to pass some sort of gun safety course before being able to buy a firearm of any type. Don't care if this abridges the right to have a firearm...it's a deadly weapon, and if you can't treat it as such, you shouldn't own one.

On another hand, I'm going to look for a CZ-75 on Friday.

 

[JulesMaximus]

There is nothing you need to know about owning and operating a handgun safely that isn't in the owners manual. That said, I wouldn't hold it against you for wanting to take a course in handgun safety. I would hold it against you if you suggested that I take a course in handgun safety prior to my purchasing one though!!!

I would try your local shooting range. You can go there and work with an instructor using their guns. Handguns are actually much safer than shotguns and rifles in that they have many more devices to prevent accidental discharge than most long guns. It will also give you the opportunity to shoot a few different guns that you are considering purchasing.

A revolver would be the easiest to operate and is a good choice for a first time handgun owner.

 

[K1052]

AZEX (Arizona Expert Arms) does training in the Pheonix area. Link

Maybe they can help you.

 

[JulesMaximus]

In California there is a ridiculously easy 20 question test you have to pass in order to purchase a handgun and you have to demonstrate that you know how to load and unload the firearm safely. Other than that there are a few fees and a 10 day wait which includes a background check but that's about it.

Here's a sample of one of the questions:

Safety Rule No 2 is keep the gun pointed:

A) to the North
B) In the safest direction possible
C) Up
D) Down

You can read through it here: Link

Actually, this is pretty good information for a prospective firearm owner who has never owned a firearm and knows very little about them (especially a handgun) to read but if you are familiar with guns and safe gun handling it is pretty much unnecessary.

 

[Pantoot]

Community colleges in Arizona will also offer you a course that qualifies you for the CCW. Firearms 1 is 16 hours for $81 bucks at Glendale Community College.

I just happen to have the brochure here on my desk...

 

[MooseKnuckle]

There's alot of info Packing.org Arizona page

 

[Fingers]

To get my conceal & carry permit all I had to do is take a safety class and the one I chose only cost $35 and included a whole bunch about the laws involved with carrying(where you can) and legalities of actually using your weapon in a defensive manner, both in criminal and cival terms. It also was an evaluation on you ability to safely discharge your weapon. As far as differences between handguns and rifles, they are very similar. I suspect if you are proficiant at one you should be able to pick up the other and figure it out without any trouble and save yourself the money it costs for some of those classes I've seen listed. Any indoor or outdoor range will have experienced staff and most rent guns. they can get you started and will show you how to fire the rental gun for free. As far as safety is concerned the rules are the same as with rifles the only difference is the weapon the bullit os commin out of. I normally don't follow threads for very long so if any one has a question I'm prety knowlegable in this field and would be happy to respnd to any PMs recieved.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
you gun nuts piss me off!

STFU


Wait, look at that again!

Too lazy? Here it is again! STFU!

 

[DWW]

Originally posted by: BDawg
I agree that you should have to pass some sort of gun safety course before being able to buy a firearm of any type. Don't care if this abridges the right to have a firearm...it's a deadly weapon, and if you can't treat it as such, you shouldn't own one.

On another hand, I'm going to look for a CZ-75 on Friday.

The knife on my kitchen counter is a deadly weapon often used during robberies, assaults, rapes and murders. Want to require safety courses for them?

 

[misle]

Originally posted by: DWW

Originally posted by: BDawg
I agree that you should have to pass some sort of gun safety course before being able to buy a firearm of any type. Don't care if this abridges the right to have a firearm...it's a deadly weapon, and if you can't treat it as such, you shouldn't own one.

On another hand, I'm going to look for a CZ-75 on Friday.

The knife on my kitchen counter is a deadly weapon often used during robberies, assaults, rapes and murders. Want to require safety courses for them?

The CZ-75B is a nice gun. I have one not 5 feet from me . That being said, I agree with DWW.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
you gun nuts piss me off!

You "sheeple" piss me off!

 

[ed21x]

If you re lucky, you're local college would have a pistol class.