| A firearm safety course is where everyone should | | | | Gunsite, which is located in in Arizona, about a |
| begin their journey into the use of a firearm, whether | | | | two-hour drive north of Phoenix. The vast majority |
| it be a pistol or a rifle. Without proper safety training, | | | | of their classes are taught on-site at their facility. |
| guns are dangerous, both for the user and for | | | | They are at the very top end of the price structure. |
| anyone around them. Learning the basics of gun | | | | Their basic pistol class lasts three days and costs |
| safety can take from as little as a few hours to | | | | $933. Their basic rifle class is also three days and |
| perhaps two days. Decisions you have to make are if | | | | costs the same $933, as of March 2010. When you |
| you will be more comfortable learning with a group of | | | | factor in travel expenses, you are looking at a very |
| people or if you would prefer private lessons. | | | | expensive way to learn firearm safety. There are |
| The National Rifle Association (NRA) has basic pistol | | | | many other schools and Gunsite is just being used as |
| and basic rifle courses all over the United States. The | | | | an example because it was the first in the industry. |
| pistol course covers the use of both the revolver | | | | There is no doubt the classes are effective and |
| and the semi-automatic pistol and lasts at least eight | | | | teach you what you need to know. However, the |
| hours. The rifle course lasts at least 14 hours. The | | | | cost/benefit analysis may point you in another |
| NRA courses teach basic gun handling safety, | | | | direction. You have a variety of options to choose |
| shooting fundamentals, range safety, ammunition, and | | | | from when learning about firearm safety. Pick the |
| weapon maintenance. Classes are taught all over the | | | | one that best suits your needs and you are ready to |
| U.S. Expect prices to range from as low as $50 to | | | | go. |
| upwards of $100, depending on the instructor. Also, | | | | Another issue is what type of firearm you want to |
| keep in mind that the reason an instructor charges | | | | use. Some pistol owners have revolvers, while others |
| more may be because he is a good teacher and his | | | | have semiautomatics. Decide what type of rifle you |
| classes fill up quickly. When learning gun safety, | | | | want if that will be your firearm of choice. For either |
| learning from a highly-skilled individual is a good thing. | | | | a pistol or rifle, you will need to select the caliber you |
| Another option for learning basic firearm safety is by | | | | want. The firearm needs to be something that has a |
| signing up for a class taught by an instructor who | | | | manageable recoil for you and also feels comfortable |
| travels around the country. There are quite a number | | | | in your hands. |
| of internationally-recognized instructors who run | | | | If you don't have a firearm, generally the instructor |
| classes that specialize in basic firearm instruction. | | | | will have an additional gun, which may be rented for |
| Some classes lean toward not only firearm safety | | | | the class. This is a very important question to ask |
| but also how to respond if you are threatened and | | | | when you sign up. Also, beware that you will need to |
| need to use a weapon. That gives you the option of | | | | provide your own ammunition and you need to find |
| some additional instruction. The classes will run from | | | | out how much ammunition you will need. If you are |
| as little as $150 per day to as much as $200 or | | | | renting a gun they may have specifications on what |
| slightly more per day, as of 2010. | | | | kind of ammunition you can use. |
| Probably the best known of the gun schools is | | | | |