Introduction to Handgun - Handling/Safety and Operation (North Location) *MTA*

Duration

1 Hour
Overall time for this class may vary
No “live-fire”

This class provides simulation firearms as the learning tool for your success.
A “Must‑have” class for anyone seeking to build safe, confident firearm handling skills.

Course Description:
This course provides foundational training for new and inexperienced handgun owners, reinforcing safe handling and confidence. It is intended to build skills and familiarity prior to attending a two‑hour concealed handgun permit renewal class; while it may assist students with the shooting portion of the renewal, it does not replace required renewal instruction.
Instruction focuses on safe handling, basic operation, and confidence‑building through supervised, hands‑on learning using simulation firearms. Students are prepared to safely own, handle, and operate a handgun, with proper storage addressed as an essential component of responsible ownership. No live‑fire training is conducted in this course.

Course Focus:
The primary focus of this course is safe, responsible handgun ownership. Instruction emphasizes the development of proper handling habits, an understanding of basic firearm mechanics, and a safety‑first mindset that applies to all future firearm use.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Apply the universal rules of firearm safety
• Safely handle a handgun with proper muzzle awareness and trigger discipline
• Identify major handgun components and their functions
• Safely load and unload a handgun
• Recognize and safely address common malfunctions
• Understand basic firearm storage best practices
• Demonstrate increased confidence and situational awareness during firearm handling

Handgun Safety Principles:
Treating all firearms as loaded, maintaining safe direction and muzzle control, proper trigger discipline, and awareness of surroundings

Handgun Mechanics and Operation:
Component identification, loading and unloading procedures, and recognition and clearing of common malfunctions

Risk Prevention and Safe Storage:
Accident prevention in home and training environments and safe storage practices to reduce unauthorized access

The course is hands‑on, controlled, and instructor‑guided. Students actively engage in supervised handling exercises using simulation firearms, allowing skills to be learned and reinforced in real time. Instruction is paced for inexperienced owners, with demonstrations followed by guided practice, repetition, and corrective feedback. This structured approach builds familiarity, confidence, and safe habits without pressure.

Core Safety Principles:
....................TREAT – NEVER – KEEP – KEEP...................

TREAT - Every firearm as loaded
NEVER - Point a firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy
KEEP - Your finger off the trigger until ready to fire
KEEP - Gun on safe until you intend to fire. Know your target, what lies beyond and in-between

These principles apply at all times, in all environments, and with all firearms.

Again, there will be no “live-fire” training in this course.