Owning a firearm is quite a big decision to take, as it involves several moving parts such as licensing, background checks, safety, etc. People own guns for various reasons, including personal safety and for recreational activities. But the question many people ask is whether they have to own a gun before they can get trained on how to use one. This has been a subject for debate over the years, with many people calling for mandatory training before one can own a gun. Do you want to find out more about this? Read on. 

What Does the Training Entail?

Firearm training aims to sensitize actual or potential gun owners on the best way to use and keep guns and to create awareness on the safety protocols. This is to equip you with the necessary skills to avoid accidents, defend yourself, and enable you to carry such firearms responsibly. Firearm training teaches you basics such as how to load and unload a gun, grip the gun correctly, hand-eye coordination, what to do when there is a malfunction, etc. Experienced instructors do the training, and courses range from the beginners’ level to tactical training for the more experienced. Through this, you go through different real-life scenarios that prepare you to own a gun. 

Who Qualifies to Be Trained?

To go through gun training, you can either be an owner or in the process of deciding whether to get one. According to research, about 39% of gun owners do not have any training. About 26 states in the US make it mandatory to be trained before one can carry a firearm. Research also shows that one needs to have a minimum of at least 50 hours of firearm training with any certified training instructor to completely qualify as a gun owner. What does this mean for you? Although there is no stipulated age limit, you should be sure you’re ready and responsible enough to handle a gun. Do not forget to be safety conscious throughout your training. 

Where Can You Be Trained?

You can choose where to be trained depending on your main reason for purchasing the gun, such as a hobby, for law enforcement, or for personal protection. Your choice should also depend on whether you’re a beginner or already have some level of experience. There are a number of firearm training centers to choose from. However, due to the sensitive nature of firearm training, you need to do thorough research on their backgrounds before making your final choice. Also, look out for trainers who offer extensive firearm training courses that cover a broad range of topics, including ones that are often overlooked, such as suicide prevention, domestic violence, and state regulations.  

Firearm training is essential, especially if you want to be a responsible gun owner. Aside from equipping you with the necessary skills you need to be law-abiding, it also helps in preventing loss of life and the occurrence of crimes.