CA handgun safety course

[B D]

My father and I will be signing up for a basic handgun class to learn the basics and get the certificate to purchase a handgun. My question is does any one have any recommendations on where and what training to receive in So Cal? Some of the courses are only 3 hrs. while others are 8 hrs., can you get a certificate in a 3 hr. course?

[Drdogface]

The test is soooo simple that anyone with basic fire arm safety knowledge can pass it. If, however, this is your first experience with fire arms then a basic NRA general safety course is the way to go. Ask any range or local Sheriff or PD.

[nostatic]

define "training". You can take the handgun safety course (a written exam) at most gun shops. You should be able to pass that without much training of any kind. If you want range training, most of the firing ranges in town have a "starter" class where they provide everything. Cost is variable...figure $100 plus or minus depending on the details. I took one at LAX Firing Range and it was fairly lame, but better than nothing. A friend took hers at Firing Line in Burbank, and said it was a lot better. I also shoot at Firing Line in Northridge, but given you're in CM you should look down south. I think Firing Line has a location in HB.

[Tobra]

You have to take a test to buy a handgun in California now?

[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.

[FrayAdjacent911]

That sucks that the state can abridge your constitutional right to own a firearm by making you pass some sort of test.

What would people say if you had to pass an English reading/writing test to buy a book or a newspaper?

[elwood-914]

I think the course is great for some. I knew a guy who swore he knew all about guns but he could not figure out why there was still a round in the gun after he removed the ammo clip???? He shot out the back of his dresser and almost killed his girlfriend.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by FrayAdjacent911
That sucks that the state can abridge your constitutional right to own a firearm by making you pass some sort of test.

What would people say if you had to pass an English reading/writing test to buy a book or a newspaper?

Finally, someone opines the basic truth. It's one more level of regulation in an attempt to turn the right to be armed with any weapon into a privilege.

It is a travesty and should not be tolerated.

[nostatic]

it isn't about making sure you know what you're doing. They want you on a list.

Not that I'm paranoid or anything...

[Drdogface]

Originally posted by FrayAdjacent911


What would people say if you had to pass an English reading/writing test to buy a book or a newspaper?

Or maybe to vote....hey, I like that idea !!

[B D]

Thanks for the info, I think we'll just start with the basic course and go from there.

[snowman]

Don't point the gun at your head and pull the trigger. On the other hand if you are inclined to do so, please do not refer to my post.

[jyl]

Originally posted by nostatic
it isn't about making sure you know what you're doing. They want you on a list.

Not that I'm paranoid or anything...

Quick, where's the videotape of "Red Dawn"?

[jyl]

Hey BD, here is a thread on gun safety

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=220574&highlight=gun+safety

I agree we have, or should have, the inherent right to own firearms. And I do, and I'll teach my kids to shoot too.

However, just to play devil's advocate, I have a hard time coming up with a realistic scenario in which Americans armed with guns manage to overthrow a dictatorial government. Plenty of repressive governments have been toppled in recent decades - Eastern Europe and the states of the former USSR are examples - and it wasn't done by citizens toting FALs. It was done with strikes, protests, media, and votes. Look at the Orange Revolution in the Ukraine, for instance.

As David pointed out, if the President sends a combat brigade with amour and attack helicopters into your town, how useful will the 12 rounds of 45ACP in your Paraordnance Warthog be, other than as a way to commit suicide?

To me, the right to own firearms has more to do with the right of self-protection against crime, as well as something deep in American history and culture (all that frontier and Wild West stuff).

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally posted by B D
Thanks for the info, I think we'll just start with the basic course and go from there.

Good idea. Have fun, pay attention, and be safe. Don't let the politics of all of this put you off. Some of us get rather excited about all that, but for now, just enjoy yourself.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by DavidI
Aside from any kind of database or something, I think gun education is a good idea. Most people don't know how to safely handle and operate a gun. Gun ownership is and should be a right of all decent American citizens. It keeps the government from gaining too much power. With that said, how could we as citizens defend against jets, Apache helicopters and smart missiles?

David

Two ways, number one is that we'll use the brilliant example being set by the Iraqi Freedom Fighters who are doing exactly that, and second we'll have all those in the military that love freedom on our side.

Against your kind most likely.

[id10t]

Jyl - Check out the Battle of Athens..... Armed revolt has happened in this country, and after 1776, 1860, and other well known uprisings in NA.

http://www.jpfo.org/athens.htm

[Tobra]

So this is not so much about gun safety, more so about the State of Califusion collecting $25 from someone in a PC manner, analogous to the smog check program we have here.

[jyl]

Originally posted by id10t
Jyl - Check out the Battle of Athens..... Armed revolt has happened in this country, and after 1776, 1860, and other well known uprisings in NA.

http://www.jpfo.org/athens.htm

Hardly well-known, and extremely minor.

The big victories of citizens against repressive govt in the US have been via means other than personal firearms.

E.g. civil rights movement. Watergate. Early union movement.

[azasadny]

When you register a handgun in MI (at least in my town), all they do is match the serial number on the weapon to the serial number on the paperwork and collect a fee from you. That's it... that's the "purchase permit", not a CCW.