MrMephisto Wrote:
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> Gilbert's Small Arms Range is my go-to. The staff
> are very knowledgeable, they have stuff you can
> rent (to feel out the different weapons before you
> commit to one), etc. They'll show you how the gun
> works, but I recommend reading a Wikipedia article
> or two on handguns in general so you have a vague
> notion of what does what when you go in.
>
> DUE DILIGENCE:
>
> I highly, highly recommend taking a handgun safety
> course, even if you don't intend on going for a
> concealed carry permit.
>
> If you follow even two of these three rules 100%
> of the time, you'll never have an accident:
>
http://www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp
>
> My three basic rules of handgun safety:
>
> 1. Always keep the weapon pointed in a safe
> direction
> 2. Never put your finger on the trigger unless
> ready to fire
> 3. Never give or receive a weapon unless it has
> been unloaded and taken out of battery.
>
> If you have kids or roommates or whatever, extra
> precautions are obviously necessary.
>
> Good luck. If you have specific questions, ask,
> and I'll answer them as best I can.
If you follow all of the rules, everyone will most likely still be safe even if an accident occurs, or if one rule is forgotten in a moment of error.
I remember watching a soldier run out of a house in Iraq, and as he jumped over a crumbled brick wall, his rifle fired. I don't know if it was his own doing, or a malfunction, but since he properly had the rifle aimed in a safe direction (the ground) as he ran (Since he was not engaged at the moment), no one was injured. Even if he forgot the general rule of not having your finger on the trigger until you intend to fire at an established target, he still obeyed rule number one of pointing his firearm in a safe direction, and as a result of such, everyone was alright despite the round going off.