Classes and handguns

[Guest]

Hi, I'm new to the board and have been trying to do some reseach. 1st I must say this is a great forum, you all are very helpful!
I would like to take a class or several and purchase a handgun for protection. As a mom and wife who is often home alone and an avid camper and hiker in today's world it seems the smart thing to do.
I am in the Santa Cruz area, but am willing to drive over the hill for classes if someone can recommend a good place/person.
I understand that there is a cert. I need to get before I can purchase a handgun, what does this entail? Much more complicated than the days when my dad bought and sold from/to friends and relatives long ago.
Thanks in advance for your help.

[esskay]

To purchase a handgun, you will need to take a multiple choice written test to obtain a "Handgun Safety Certificate." If you simply read the study guide, you should have no difficulty passing the test.

Check out THIS THREAD

Getting a permit to carry it concealed (CCW) is another matter entirely, and IIRC basically impossible in the Santa Cruz area.

Welcome to the board!

[Guest]

thanks for the info. esskay.
read the study guide earlier, wow, does anyone fail that thing?
what is an IIRC?
I'm guessing there is no point in going for a CCW before I do the test and get the gun.?

[imported_Matt-man]

Check out Advanced Weapons & Tactics - they run classes at Reed's Indoor Range in Santa Clara. I've taken classes with AWT in the past and really liked them. The Basic Pistol class is suitable for someone who doesn't have a lot of experience with guns.

[Librarian]

IIRC = If I Remember Correctly

If you actually were to have a chance at CCW - and Santa Cruz County is not a high-probability area - it would be better for you and the people around you if you had some training. Some agencies demand quite a lot of training as one of the requirements for CCW, and then do not promise that if you have the training and are not otherwise disqualified that you will get the CCW. I believe that at one time the city of Concord required a PC 832 Arrest/Firearms class, which is not a bad idea in itself. I bet AWT does a better job.

You might hold off buying a weapon until after the training - you may find you shoot better with something you had not considered, or did not know to consider, and classes such as Basic Pistol will often give you an opportunity to shoot an assortment. Also, most likely the instructors won't try to sell you a particular brand, model or caliber, though there are Favorites and Classic Controversies (oddly, and thankfully, CalGuns does not deal in those very much).

On the other hand, if you know what you want, go for it! And, welcome to the group.

[Guest]

thanks, i've had some experience, but am planning on taking classes as well to build my knowledge.
i have no idea what i want, which is one of many reasons i will be taking classes.
living in tree hugger land i'm sure i'm in the minority in this county who feel the way i do, i don't know if the fact that i'm not in SV would help or not. though right now i'm not real worried about a ccw, just want something for home and my boondocking camping trips.
iirc-boy do i feel stupid!

[slomustang]

I believe Reed's allows you to rent a gun for their handgun classes. Ordinarily, you would need a buddy to rent a gun and range time, but classes may be different.

[C.G.]

Originally posted by Fishnhockey:
Hi, I'm new to the board and have been trying to do some reseach. 1st I must say this is a great forum, you all are very helpful!
I would like to take a class or several and purchase a handgun for protection. As a mom and wife who is often home alone and an avid camper and hiker in today's world it seems the smart thing to do.

I am in the Santa Cruz area, but am willing to drive over the hill for classes if someone can recommend a good place/person.
I understand that there is a cert. I need to get before I can purchase a handgun, what does this entail? Much more complicated than the days when my dad bought and sold from/to friends and relatives long ago.
Thanks in advance for your help.

To all that has been mentioned above you should read. There is an indoor range closer to you in Watsonville, Markleys, which is a good indoor range and they rent handguns, mostly Sigs and Berettas. The hardest part is finding one you like.

[imported_booknut]

There used to be a class given at HALO in Concord (Is it ever coming back?) that was a Women Only class.
I believe there were a variety of handguns available to try out and learn gun safety and handling on.

A class like this would be great for any gun novice...too bad more folks don't do it.

You might consider contacting one of the NRA Handgun Instructors in your area to see if they can help you out.

In addition to any classroom training, you might want to consider these resources...
video - Judicious Use of Deadly Force by Massad Ayoob
This is a very good video (except for his unabashed usage of the F word ), that brings up many good issues to consider before ever using a gun to defend someone with.

Books -
In The Gravest Extreme by Massad Ayoob
- A good book and good companion to the video above.

Real-World Survival! What has Worked For Me by Walt Rauch
- This is another good read on the use of a defensive firearm

Hidden in Plain Sight by Bloodworth & Raley
- This covers some of the basics of CCW and it's okay, but not as good a book as I'd like to see on the subject.

The Concealed Handgun Manual by Chris Bird
- This is a much better book on CCW and defensive handguns.

The Gift of Fear: And Other Survival Signals That Protect Us From Violence by Gavin De Becher
- This is a very good book on how we read potential acts of violence in our lives. When someone says they just had a 'hunch' or their 'intuition' told them something, Mr. DeBecker says they actually read the signs that told them something was wrong.

Even if you just wind up with a home defense firearm, you should train, study and practice as much as you can.

Glad to see you out and looking for information. Remember, just like in medicine, there's often not 'only one way' to do things.

[hicap]

Originally posted by Matt-man:
Check out Advanced Weapons & Tactics - they run classes at Reed's Indoor Range in Santa Clara. I've taken classes with AWT in the past and really liked them. The Basic Pistol class is suitable for someone who doesn't have a lot of experience with guns.

+1 for Reed's. I'm planning on taking the class in November of this year.

[johnny_22]

If you have not shot a firearm before, I recommend the class at Targetmasters from Bayprofs.

http://www.bayprofs.org/Classes.html

They offer a NRA Basic Pistol class that spends more time on the basics and allow you to shot one of everything they bring.

The NRA Basic Pistol certificate is accepted for a Florida Concealed Carry License (if you travel to states where it is good).

I would (and have) taken AWT class after completing this class.