Should I get a gun? Part 4: How do I learn to shoot my gun?

In Part 3 of this series, we told you where you could purchase a gun.

Now, let's assume you have gone through the whole process outlined in the first three parts of the series and you now have a handgun for personal protection. Great! Now how do you learn to correctly and safely shoot it?

Certainly a knowledgable friend can help you tremendously with this issue. But even knowledgable friends are not trained instructors. Its not just enough to have the knowledge, you also need to know how to deliver it.

I would strongly urge each new shooter to take a National Rifle Association,NRA approved Basic Pistol Shooting Course. A course description can be found here. You can look in your local phone book or search the NRA site to find a shooting range which offers this course. For example, in Slidell, LA the FITS indoor shooting range offers such classes. Please note that in some states you have to take such a class in order to obtain a Concealed Weapons Permit (also called the Concealed Carry Weapons permit or CCW). This course will teach you about the gun, ammunition, about safety, about sighting a target and how to correctly shoot. It also includes time on the range so you can put classroom learning to practical use in a supervised environment.

After you have your gun and training there are two more things you should do: First, join the NRA! It costs $35/yr and will return you a wealth of information as well as helping to support your Second Ammendment Right to keep and bear arms for self-protection. Second, find a local range (indoor or outdoor as appropriate) and join that range. Shooting your gun is like playing golf; you'll remember the basics but practice keeps you sharp and helps you improve your skills. These skills should be automatic should the day ever come that you need to use your gun for self defense. Plus you will meet a lot of like-minded people.

Good luck and happy shooting!