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Health & Fitness

Suggestions on Getting Started: Gun Ownership

If I may suggest some ways to get started for new and potentially new gun owners.

There has been an increasing trend for women to obtain firearms for home and/or self defense and for recreational purposes.  Also our society has developed a "generational" gap of where even grown men have never truly handled a firearm in their lives.

If you are new or are thinking of owning a firearm. 

Here are some suggestions and facts.

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1) Apply for your Concealed Pistol License (CPL). In Washington State you do not need to attend a course.  It's a simple application plus application fee paid to the state (DOL) $52.50 which includes the application process, fingerprinting and photo.  Good for 5 years and covers all of Washington State.  http://www.dol.wa.gov/business/firearms/faconceal.html

2) Invest in yourself and family.  Before you buy a firearm.  Go to an indoor range and test fire them.  Most indoor ranges will have a selection of firearms you can rent and shoot.  Typically the fee is around $8-$15 and covers either individual firearm, multiple same caliber and/or all rental firearms for that flat fee. 

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The reason I recommend going to a range and if possible test fire the type of firearm you are looking to purchase... is to avoid a common mistake most new gun purchasers will make - they go into a "gun store" and handle a firearm and it may feel good in the hand at the store and they purchase it.  Only later to find out once they go shooting with it that it does not meet their needs because either the recoil is too great or it's not manageable.

Then...

3) Take a class/course on general firearm safety.  There are many firearm schools around the Puget Sound area.  For the greater Seattle area West Coast Armory is affliated with InSights Training and offer a good selection of classes to get you started.  http://www.westcoastarmory.com/    Also do note that most indoor ranges will have some access or an inhouse instructor.  Not all instructors may meet your individual needs so I strongly suggest you look around.

If you are willing to travel a bit South... I would highly recommend you consider Firearms Academy of Seattle (FAS) http://firearmsacademy.com/

I will clearly say I am an instructor and therefore clearly biased about seeking professional instruction but I'm also a shooter and I no longer actively teach.

For a great part of my early life and shooting experience I have truly "wasted" my time and money on teaching myself and learning from those that were also in-experience shooters learning the true "trial and error" method so common in life.  Avoid wasting your time and money.  Get the proper instruction upfront.  Learn how to do it well and then practice and refine.  This will also hopefully reduce developing poor and unsafe shooting habits which is common with new shooters.

4) Want to do more research?  Have questions?  Check out www.WaGuns.org 

It's free and the community of firearm enthusiast are very willing to help and answer your questions.  I am a moderator on this site and welcome you to join and become involved in using your 2nd Amendment Rights.  Learn and share our hobby for target shooting and becoming better neighbors by helping each other become safer and better marksman.

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