Training for handling and shooting handguns

[HoneyBadger]

Does anyone know where a person can register for education and instructions regarding handling and shooting a gun? I have my eyes on a nice little Sig Sauer and I want to be well educated before I decide whether or not to buy a gun.

Thank you for any information someone/anyone can provide.

[lifesaver]

Aug 4, 2013 21:23:28 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

Does anyone know where a person can register for education and instructions regarding handling and shooting a gun? I have my eyes on a nice little Sig Sauer and I want to be well educated before I decide whether or not to buy a gun.

Thank you for any information someone/anyone can provide.

I don't know if this is what you are interested in or not but they are located in Gettysburg.
www.tripwireops.org/homelandtrain.html

You can find the course dates on the website as well.  You don't need a firearm to take the course.

I think I recall that the sherriffs department offers courses as well.  You would have to call them to inquire.

[davew]

I would also try the sheriff's department. You don't necessarily need ground zero rolling through the barbed wire training, but some tips about how to use, load, clean and store your pistol are always good. Practical stuff, like how to actually have yourself set up so that you can be quick enough with it to be practical. And hopefully you'll never have to use it, and if you do have to flash it, hopefully that is enough to keep you safe and end a situation without actually having to use it.

[Alex Oreilly]

Aug 4, 2013 21:23:28 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

Does anyone know where a person can register for education and instructions regarding handling and shooting a gun? I have my eyes on a nice little Sig Sauer and I want to be well educated before I decide whether or not to buy a gun.

Thank you for any information someone/anyone can provide.

Honeybadger, with a gun!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Venter]

A "Sig Sauer"?
If I were you, I'd try the Sid Caesar first!
Make them laugh themselves helpless

If it's for protection, I guess you'd need a real gun, but if you just want to plink things, a .22cal uses much cheaper ammo.

Besides HB, considering your expertise with all things mechanical, you may want to try a sling-shot and work your way up.
I have a pretty nice pellet gun that uses CO2 cartridges!
Just sayin'...

[moose]

Aug 4, 2013 21:23:28 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

Does anyone know where a person can register for education and instructions regarding handling and shooting a gun? I have my eyes on a nice little Sig Sauer and I want to be well educated before I decide whether or not to buy a gun.

Thank you for any information someone/anyone can provide.

What model Sig Sauer you looking at? I just got a Sig Sauer 938 (9mm) that is VERY concealable! 9mm ammo isn't too expensive but lately is rather hard to find. Ammo manufacturers are just starting to get caught up.

I wanted something concealable as my 357 8-3/8" barrel sticking down my pocket spooked the ladies.

[HoneyBadger]

Thanks LS and davew. I've been busy with my mom but I will check the info out. I think Redding's told me that to buy a gun I need a permit first. Of course, I want to take a class first to see if it really is something I want.

Having a gun and being able to go to a shooting range is something I thought would be a great stress relief. Those who know me know that I'm not exactly sugar and spice and being a full time care giver builds up a lot of tension.

Alex, you're safe. I want to shoot targets; not people or animals.

Venter, as much as I liked Sid Caesar, he is dead and the best shooting he did was from the lips.

Moose, a small Sig Sauer. How small isa Sig Sauer 938? I have to confess that my sister-in-law has the sweetest little red and black Sig Sauer and I fell in love with it. Both she and my brother have carry permits which are valid in PA as well as at home in MO. Jack thinks that I'd never own a gun so I'd like to surprise him. I know nothing about guns but I can tell you that if I had a 357 8-3/8" barrel sticking down my pocket I'd spook a whole lotta men. I am familiar with the line "Is that your gun or are you just happy to see me?"

[redlock]

Aug 8, 2013 20:19:41 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

Thanks LS and davew. I've been busy with my mom but I will check the info out. I think Redding's told me that to buy a gun I need a permit first. Of course, I want to take a class first to see if it really is something I want.

Untrue. However some shop clerks and owners will tell that to people who they are unsure would be good gun owners. I'm not saying that is what happened in your case. In order to buy a handgun in this state you must be over 21 and be able to be approved through PICS.

[davew]

Aug 8, 2013 20:19:41 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

Thanks LS and davew. I've been busy with my mom but I will check the info out. I think Redding's told me that to buy a gun I need a permit first. Of course, I want to take a class first to see if it really is something I want.

They may have inferred from conversation that you were going to be carrying the piece around. I don't know what the cost is now, but when I took hunters safety out here about 15 years ago, they suggested that we get a carry permit regardless of whether or not we were going to carry or even have a pistol because it's about $5 a year to have the permit and it can save you a lot of hassle.

You can buy without a permit, but you essentially have to take a piece straight home (no stopping to eat, etc), keep your receipt handy and keep any ammunition you buy in a separate compartment from the pistol. If you have a permit, you can essentially put the pistol loaded and hidden somewehere and do whatever you want otherwise.

[HoneyBadger]

Aug 9, 2013 0:17:36 GMT -5 redlock said:

Aug 8, 2013 20:19:41 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

Thanks LS and davew. I've been busy with my mom but I will check the info out. I think Redding's told me that to buy a gun I need a permit first. Of course, I want to take a class first to see if it really is something I want.

Untrue. However some shop clerks and owners will tell that to people who they are unsure would be good gun owners. I'm not saying that is what happened in your case. In order to buy a handgun in this state you must be over 21 and be able to be approved through PICS.

I made the inquiry at Redding's at least 10 years ago while paying for a dog license. I wasn't wearing a burqa. So, thank you for the second sentence in your response. I suffer from depression but I'm not a raving lunatic - regardless of what some members of this forum might say.

I have never been arrested, never committed a crime, my fingerprints are on file due to application for state employment. I'm relatively harmless. I did - or so I was told - make a co-worker cry once. My crime was so heinous that an attorney and later a security officer interviewed me and determined that - while I am a singularly unpleasant person - I was probably not dangerous.

[HoneyBadger]

Aug 12, 2013 7:06:30 GMT -5 davew said:

Aug 8, 2013 20:19:41 GMT -5 HoneyBadger said:

Thanks LS and davew. I've been busy with my mom but I will check the info out. I think Redding's told me that to buy a gun I need a permit first. Of course, I want to take a class first to see if it really is something I want.

They may have inferred from conversation that you were going to be carrying the piece around. I don't know what the cost is now, but when I took hunters safety out here about 15 years ago, they suggested that we get a carry permit regardless of whether or not we were going to carry or even have a pistol because it's about $5 a year to have the permit and it can save you a lot of hassle.

You can buy without a permit, but you essentially have to take a piece straight home (no stopping to eat, etc), keep your receipt handy and keep any ammunition you buy in a separate compartment from the pistol. If you have a permit, you can essentially put the pistol loaded and hidden somewehere and do whatever you want otherwise.

I told the man that I was interested in having a gun in my home but I didn't intend to carry it. I did discuss lessons with him then. Of course, the sales people at Redding's are usually very busy with real shoppers.

If I were to purchase a gun now (I'm still undecided) I would want a carry permit but I wouldn't necessarily carry the gun. If I were less than honest I'd just find someone and buy a gun on the street. However, I believe in doing things legally, hence my inquiry.

Thank you for the information. If I pursue this I'll keep my mouth shut. Better late than never.