Since it's come up. I'll put in my 2cents on anyone interested in trying, buying, or carrying a gun.
First the fundamentals.
1) All guns are always loaded.
2) Never point the gun at anything you are not willing to destroy.
3) Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target (and you have made the decision to shoot).
4) Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
I cannot stress this enough. Do not ever, ever, EVER violate these rules.
The second you go "I know the gun's unloaded." Or "I won't really pull the trigger." That's when bad stuff can happen.
Any basic firearms class should cover these rules. And that's very good. These are the foundational rules.
If you have a friend who is a shooter ask them about basic classes. If you know they're safe and a good teacher, ask them if you could tag along to the range.
Gun shops are also places where you can ask about courses.
And no mater the level of the course make sure the above rules are always held to. If the instructor is unsafe and uncatious it's not worth it.
The above rules are more than just "I learned this in class."
As a note, in many places the course that's required to get your carry permit is prettymuch this basic stuff.
They have to become a habit.
The idea of keeping your finger off the trigger has to become ingrained to a level that you find yourself doing it with nerf guns or windex sprayers.
You need to become the kind of person who automatically points a gun towards the ground or in some other safe direction. The person who doesn't sweep the muzzle in front of someone else even if it's a toy.
Range-time with a good instructor is a good way to start to instill these habits.
So is range-time with a friend (assuming they are safe as well). Especially when you're starting out this can be intimidating and overwhelming. Which is why you take it slow and safe.
Safety is the first priority.
It takes a bit of time for good habits to become ingrained.
The nice thing about the 4 rules is that they are simple and easy to remember.
Also they have redundancy where you have to violate two of them at once.
More information on the rules can be found here.
http://www.corneredcat.com/article/fire ... our-rules/
If you've never fired a gun before something in 22 long rifle is very handy since they're inexpensive to shoot, have low recoil, the ammunition is (normally) plentiful.
And it's still a full firearm. So all your practice and safe habit building counts.
Once the foundation is built where you can handle a gun with safety. Then you can start looking into what you want to do with it: competition, hunting, plinking, self defense, ect.
This is also where you can try to find other gun owners at your local range or friends that have guns.
This is for building up to find more training, especially if you are looking for self defense.
And don't just focus on the gun. The gun is only part of it.
Consider this. I have not said word one about changes to the gun.
Everything I'm talking about is changing YOU.
Thus open hand self defense courses are just as handy too. And will build related skillsets. Situational awareness, dealing with confrontation, risk assessment. All interrelated.
For example may, Krav Maga courses have disarm and op for on the higher levels.
There's also the legal aspects. What are the self defense laws where you live?
And that's not just guns either. If you have to defend yourself with a bat or a knife the legal process will very similar.
But the important thing is to not lose sight of the fundamental rules of safety.
Do not go with any instructor that thinks he's better than the 4 rules, any instructor that assures you that he's good enough that he can put people down range and have it be "safe".
Any instructor that does opposing force drills or retention drills with real guns.
The hard part is finding an instructor that knows what he's talking about. If your local range has safety officers they're often a good source to ask.
And a final word on safe storage.
Trigger locks and gun cabinets are good for keeping curious hands and casual people from getting to guns. They are not terribly secure to a dedicated person wanting to take a gun, but they'll do good to keep them safe from casual hands.
Heavy safes, especially when bolted to the house are pretty dang secure. They are also expensive. Again this is where habit comes in.
If you have a way to secure your guns when they're not in use and when you're not home, use it. And make it something you regularly check.
One thing I've found is a bit of OCD is pretty helpful.
On a related note, if you get to where you want to carry, invest in a good holster that is fitted to that model of gun. One that keeps it secure (retention devices are another discussion) and covers the trigger.
This also comes to the downside that much of this stuff can be pricey and time consuming.