Taking a shooting class/safety class - without buying a gun?

[digigal1]

Does anyone know if you can take a shooting class just to learn how to operate/fire a gun? I don't own one but I think I'd like to learn to shoot. Varied responses from different areas of the USA or other countries are welcome.

[JJtheunicycle]

i know almost for sure that you would be able to...unless its some kind of redneck establishment where they shoot stuff just for the hell of it...but to me it makes sense that you would be able to

[maestro8]

Most ranges in my area rent handguns and rifles. I'm sure you'd be able to find a class that offers the same service.

In lieu of a class, you can just find yourself a book at the library on hunting/shooting safety to know what you're getting into, then find a buddy who knows how to shoot and have them take you to a range. It's not rocket science. There's just a few things to keep in mind:

• Always treat a gun as if it's loaded
• Don't use a gun until you're familiar with its features and operation
• Don't point the gun at anything you don't intend to shoot
• Be sure the area around (and behind) your target is clear before firing
• Don't put your finger on the trigger until you're ready to fire

Once you've got those concepts down and have practiced them, you're on to the next step of shooting: marksmanship! There's volumes to be written on that subject... fortunately safety is simple and takes but a little practice.

[harper]

Most indoor ranges should have a collection from which you can rent. There is no reason that you couldn't take a class with a rented pistol or revolver. This may also let you know what you like because you get to test a variety of handguns. If you become interested enough to buy you already have some feel for what you're seeking in a firearm.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by JJtheunicycle

i know almost for sure that you would be able to...unless its some kind of redneck establishment where they shoot stuff just for the hell of it...but to me it makes sense that you would be able to

How the hell does that make it a redneck establishment? Isn't that basically every single shooting range?

[Hazmat]

Well i learnt how to shoot with my uncle who has a elephant gun. Man, what a force you get with that when you fire it. But just to be safe, you might wanna go to a shooting range and try there.

[UniMOG]

My ranges pistol class lets you use there gun, ammo is part of the price.

[Catboy]

Originally Posted by JJtheunicycle

unless its some kind of redneck establishment where they shoot stuff just for the hell of it...

Trust me, pretty much ALL gun-clubs are owned and operated by purebread rednecks.

Originally Posted by maestro8

There's just a few things to keep in mind:

• Always treat a gun as if it's loaded
• Don't use a gun until you're familiar with its features and operation
• Don't point the gun at anything you don't intend to shoot
• Be sure the area around (and behind) your target is clear before firing
• Don't put your finger on the trigger until you're ready to fire

You missed something super important that if seen at the Gun Club where I used to work, would get you bitched at by any of the regulars thoroughly.

DON'T LOAD THE GUN UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT! ONLY LOAD AS MUCH AS YOU NEED AND NO MORE! Loaded guns are dangerous, however my friends and I used to take actual AR-15's, semi-auto Uzi's, deer/animal rifles, shotguns and handguns and have gunfights in the pro-shop, and seeing people giving sighting lessons at the end of a barrel is not uncommon.

Always remember: Open and Out(Something similar WILL be posted at your local gun club)
Meaning: Open action, Out of ammo



I've seen classes advertised for less than $100, that comes with licensing and junk.

[Hazmat]

Originally Posted by UniMOG

My ranges pistol class lets you use there gun, ammo is part of the price.

Do they let you use army piercing bullets too??

[Gilby]

Guns are for wussies, I use a bow and arrow.

Another safety issue is to make sure you store your guns properly, such as locked up or out of reach of those that are not able to properly use them.

Oh, and remember, guns are safer than the pool in your's or your neighbor's backyard.

[Hazmat]

Originally Posted by Gilby

Guns are for wussies, I use a bow and arrow.

Another safety issue is to make sure you store your guns properly, such as locked up or out of reach of those that are not able to properly use them.

Oh, and remember, guns are safer than the pool in your's or your neighbor's backyard.

When you say bow and arrow. Do you mean like a crossbow?? Also i agree with the fact that the guns you have should be kept locked in a safe or something like that. Or in the shooting range lockers.

[Gilby]

Originally Posted by Hazmat

When you say bow and arrow. Do you mean like a crossbow??

No, I mean regular archery. It's probably been a decade (or more) since I've shot bow and arrow. I used to be in a league.

[Hazmat]

Originally Posted by Gilby

No, I mean regular archery. It's probably been a decade (or more) since I've shot bow and arrow. I used to be in a league.

Did you enter championships?? Did you win?? and that's preety cool that you used to be in a league.

[johnfoss]

Originally Posted by Gilby

Oh, and remember, guns are safer than the pool in your's or your neighbor's backyard.

Is that based on some real-world accident data? Because our pool never shot anyone, never got lost, got left laying around other than where it's supposed to be, and has pretty much never ended up in the wrong hands.

I must admit though, it's always loaded...

[ThisGuyIKnow]

While it's true that pool related accidents do cause more deaths per year than gun related accidents, but in pool related accidents only those acting irresponsibly get hurt. Gun related accidents it's often an innocent bystander.