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