[jyl]

Yes, read a 15 page booklet, answer a multiple choice test, get a little card for your wallet. Takes 10 minutes, costs $25. Good for some period of years, don't recall how many.

When you take delivery of a handgun (from a dealer), they'll also have you demonstrate loading, unloading, checking chamber, etc. The main point seems to be to show you that a round can be in the chamber and fired, even after the magazine is removed. Every year, some people who don't know this manage to shoot furniture, family, or selves.

Doesn't bother me. Have to pass a driving test to drive a car, makes sense to demonstrate basic handgun safety knowledge to purchase a handgun. No knowledgeable gun owner will have the slightest problem passing these tests.