Gun safety classes needed

[rapchef2]

Hi. I just joined this site tonight after an episode with a shady character who spoke to my son on the street today and then was seen staring at a neighbor's house at 9pm and who ran away when he was spotted. I've wanted to learn gun safety for quite some time and have a gun for home protection, but wasn't motivated enough to do it until now.

I've checked out the websites for local sportsmen clubs and noticed some NRA courses. I'm wondering if there are other local courses available to teach a novice, or are the NRA classes the only option to choose from?

Also, I'd like my 14 year old to learn gun safety and how to shoot as well. I thought I had heard sportsmen clubs offered courses for kids, but couldn't find anything on the websites. Any recommendations there?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Just1more]

To start you and your son can join up for the free Hunters Ed course! Its a great class - Ross Township Nov 10 11 (off McKnight Rd) You cannot go wrong taking this class, it teaches safety also. I took it recently and I don't have much interest in hunting.

[rapchef2]

Thanks. I'll check into that.

[jkm]

Beaver Valley Rifle and Pistol Club seems to have alot of activity going on. If Beaver Falls area is close to you, you may want to check them out. They offer a number of classes throughout the year. Perhaps they have something like what you're looking for.
Butler County Sheriff's Dept also has classes from time to time for permit holders.
Hunter's Ed is a very good idea......Good luck...jkm

[QuackXP]

The NRA classes I think are the best bet for learning firearms safety.

Beyond that I can think of three organizations that offer more in depth courses on using firearms for defense.

http://www.firearmtransfers.net/training.html

http://www.inpax.net/

http://www.fireinstitute.org/

I have personal experience with John @ Firearms Transfers and Inpax, but have heard good things about Fire Institute.

[K.C.]

http://www.firearmtransfers.net/training.html

I also wanted to chime in with respect to John, While I've never taken his training course I have used him for transfers and wanted to say hes a stand up guy, very professional nothing to fear as far as getting ripped off or disrespected.

[LightningMcQueen784]

+1 to F.I.R.E. Institute.

Unfortunately, you just missed their last course for the year.

I would highly suggest you contact TonyF on the forum and see if you can work something out with him.

[rapchef2]

Thanks for the information you have all given so far. I'll continue to watch for posts, and am so thankful to get some direction for where to go. It's not easy to find information like this in the phone book .

[Argentum]

I need to browse the Butler Co. board more often. Welcome rapchef2. There are a number of options to get training around here. I belong to Millvale Sportsmens Club which is right right at the intersection of 79 and 910. We hold a lot of NRA classes and I'm 99% certain they're open to the general public. Look at nrainstructors.org to see the upcoming class list. I know we have an NRA Basic Pistol class on 11/23.

There's also Northside (NSSA) in Warrendale but I don't know how many open-to-the-public classes they do.

[Just1more]

Yes Millvale classes are open to the public - I took an NRA class there this year and plan on going to a ladies shoot/pampered chef party this friday. interesting combination.