Did you take classes before buying your first gun?

[VeryCoolCat]

I learned how to shoot by renting a gun at LAX range and watching one of the old timers shoot.

I then asked em to give me a few pointers when he stood back. Told me how to hold the gun etc.

Few months later, bought my shotgun.

[soopafly]

I didn't take a class from a certified instructor, but I took pointers from a friend that was a Marine and reserve police officer.

[N6ATF]

Local ROP has a security officer training program which covers all aspects of the state licensing scheme. Learning to shoot was free except for the cost of ammo. I was 20 1/2 at the time. One of the instructors was NRA certified according to his range bag ID slot.

Had already been researching for years prior, and got lent exactly what I didn't want: a Glock.