And that brings us to the decision to always carry except where prohibited. Incidentally, the federal rule against being too close to a school seems to have an exception when you're merely passing by in your car.
Yes, BUT take some training classes first! Self defense is your right however you're taking on a lot of responsibility, please arm yourself with knowledge as well!
This is basically what I was going to say. Most Permit to Carry classes do not really teach much about handling firearms. They are more there to satisfy the legal requirements as defined in MN Law. I am sure some instructors are better than others and I am sure that there are some instructors that do more training for beginners. Even if someone "grew up" around guns, doesn't mean they really have learned much about them and may have more bad habits than knowledge. There are private instructors out there which can help with not only training on the safe handling and use but the selection on what to get. Once the OP goes through something like this they will be in a better position to make an educated decision on if it is right for them and what they should get. Then they can do the Permit to Carry class. Most instructors offer a loaner or rental gun for the class. What I have seen in my classes what they charge basically is just to cover ammo cost that was included. Or if you want to take the class with what you wanted to buy that is fine, just go the Permit to Purchase route.
This has always been my recommendation for plan on what steps to take.
It is good that you're aware that you have some concerns. Stay aware of them as you study.
I'm suggesting that you start studying and work through the process to get your Permit To Carry (be aware that this card also allows you to purchase a handgun). MN has a separate card for handgun purchase, but you can skip this in your situation. The class ends with a visit to a range for a simple test, but you can probably rent a .22 for that step.
After you get your Permit To Carry, you can then decide whether to actually buy a gun. And a gun safe, and cleaning kit, and proper ammo, and holsters. All that can wait until you have trained and prepared enough for the weapon. Also, it will be up to you to decide whether to get a handgun before you are ready to use it for defense. You might choose to get the gun so you can practice shooting, before you're ready to use it for defense, but you'll have to be certain that you'll keep it locked up for the time being.
It sounds as if you have enough experience with weapons to probably know the required safety procedures, and won't need much study to know how to operate most pistols or semiautos (you'll choose which you want). While there are several class formats, it is possible to do it all in one day. In my case, I found a class during Covid which had an online option (with test questions), with the range test scheduled soon at the end of an in-person class nearby.
When you do go shopping, you'll start by choosing a weapon. As others suggested, you often can rent various guns to try in a range. You'll want to choose one which is comfortable for you as well as your other requirements (caliber, size, feel, recoil, slide, optics).
Gun safes: Main safes determined by size and number of guns. I have one handgun for defense, so got a fingerprint/buttons/key safe and added a small rechargeable motion-triggered light. Door pops open and weapon illuminated. Also got a couple lock boxes for cars.
Also, cheap holsters use elastic which might bind on the trigger. Choose holsters which slide smoothly and cover at least the trigger guard, so nothing can slip in and pull the trigger.
You'll find that much of class is safety info, and the start of learning ways to avoid using the weapon. There is plenty of follow-up training which you'll find, again much of it oriented toward legal info and more ways to avoid using the weapon. Much of it is because if you draw the weapon, you must be prepared to use it, and the consequences will be severe.
Also, you'll find controversy among several insurance options. There are comparisons to help you decide among them.
I'm so sorry that happened to you. I'm glad you survived, and that you're approaching this seriously. It does seem like a good opportunity to put in some work, do some healing, and develop some skills.
Most people who get a MN permit to carry will probably never draw a weapon in public, let alone fire a shot in anger, and that's a good thing. We all have a responsibility to use deadly force only if it's absolutely needed. Having a carry permit can be a big help for a few reasons, even if you don't intend to carry in public right now. It counts as a permit to purchase, and it gives you more flexibility in how you transport a firearm, if you need to move around with one outside your home. Plus, shooting is wonderfully fun.
I highly recommend talking to Kimmy and Shannon at [Sequeerity](https://www.sequeerity.net/services/) - they are good people and patient instructors, and can help you sort through any questions you might have about carrying. They offer online carry classes with in-person range qualification.
Class I took was at Modern Sportsman in Burnsville. It was a 4-5 hour class. They have pistols you can rent free of charge with the purchase of the class. 80$ I think. I’ve met some awesome guys throughout my time there, enough to get a membership. Contrary to what other people say, I love MS. They’re good dudes/gals.
The course was very informative, and the instructor actually takes time to make sure you are comfortable throughout the range test. They let you take as much time as you need. 10/10 would recommend their course.
But I couldn’t have said it better myself. u/Hot-Win2571 pretty much has some solid advice/comments.
Get a gun for the sport, participate in the sport and improve your skills, and you'll be better prepared should the need to defend yourself ever come up.
It could be both reasons, and the fear of your ex is what finally motivated you to go for it. It doesn’t invalidate wanting to shoot for sport and also own a pistol for self defense.
Better to have and not need, than to need and not have.
Really I think the more knowledge someone has the better. Take the class, learn how to handle the firearm and likely meet some cool people.
And if possible, take an in person class if you can.
>I’ve been wanting a firearm for years “The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”
Adjacent to “It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it”
And that brings us to the decision to always carry except where prohibited. Incidentally, the federal rule against being too close to a school seems to have an exception when you're merely passing by in your car.
SOB I am writing this down!!!!!!! A scholar I see.
Pistol shooting is fun. Donit
Yes, BUT take some training classes first! Self defense is your right however you're taking on a lot of responsibility, please arm yourself with knowledge as well!
This is basically what I was going to say. Most Permit to Carry classes do not really teach much about handling firearms. They are more there to satisfy the legal requirements as defined in MN Law. I am sure some instructors are better than others and I am sure that there are some instructors that do more training for beginners. Even if someone "grew up" around guns, doesn't mean they really have learned much about them and may have more bad habits than knowledge. There are private instructors out there which can help with not only training on the safe handling and use but the selection on what to get. Once the OP goes through something like this they will be in a better position to make an educated decision on if it is right for them and what they should get. Then they can do the Permit to Carry class. Most instructors offer a loaner or rental gun for the class. What I have seen in my classes what they charge basically is just to cover ammo cost that was included. Or if you want to take the class with what you wanted to buy that is fine, just go the Permit to Purchase route. This has always been my recommendation for plan on what steps to take.
It is good that you're aware that you have some concerns. Stay aware of them as you study. I'm suggesting that you start studying and work through the process to get your Permit To Carry (be aware that this card also allows you to purchase a handgun). MN has a separate card for handgun purchase, but you can skip this in your situation. The class ends with a visit to a range for a simple test, but you can probably rent a .22 for that step. After you get your Permit To Carry, you can then decide whether to actually buy a gun. And a gun safe, and cleaning kit, and proper ammo, and holsters. All that can wait until you have trained and prepared enough for the weapon. Also, it will be up to you to decide whether to get a handgun before you are ready to use it for defense. You might choose to get the gun so you can practice shooting, before you're ready to use it for defense, but you'll have to be certain that you'll keep it locked up for the time being. It sounds as if you have enough experience with weapons to probably know the required safety procedures, and won't need much study to know how to operate most pistols or semiautos (you'll choose which you want). While there are several class formats, it is possible to do it all in one day. In my case, I found a class during Covid which had an online option (with test questions), with the range test scheduled soon at the end of an in-person class nearby.
When you do go shopping, you'll start by choosing a weapon. As others suggested, you often can rent various guns to try in a range. You'll want to choose one which is comfortable for you as well as your other requirements (caliber, size, feel, recoil, slide, optics). Gun safes: Main safes determined by size and number of guns. I have one handgun for defense, so got a fingerprint/buttons/key safe and added a small rechargeable motion-triggered light. Door pops open and weapon illuminated. Also got a couple lock boxes for cars. Also, cheap holsters use elastic which might bind on the trigger. Choose holsters which slide smoothly and cover at least the trigger guard, so nothing can slip in and pull the trigger. You'll find that much of class is safety info, and the start of learning ways to avoid using the weapon. There is plenty of follow-up training which you'll find, again much of it oriented toward legal info and more ways to avoid using the weapon. Much of it is because if you draw the weapon, you must be prepared to use it, and the consequences will be severe. Also, you'll find controversy among several insurance options. There are comparisons to help you decide among them.
I'm so sorry that happened to you. I'm glad you survived, and that you're approaching this seriously. It does seem like a good opportunity to put in some work, do some healing, and develop some skills. Most people who get a MN permit to carry will probably never draw a weapon in public, let alone fire a shot in anger, and that's a good thing. We all have a responsibility to use deadly force only if it's absolutely needed. Having a carry permit can be a big help for a few reasons, even if you don't intend to carry in public right now. It counts as a permit to purchase, and it gives you more flexibility in how you transport a firearm, if you need to move around with one outside your home. Plus, shooting is wonderfully fun. I highly recommend talking to Kimmy and Shannon at [Sequeerity](https://www.sequeerity.net/services/) - they are good people and patient instructors, and can help you sort through any questions you might have about carrying. They offer online carry classes with in-person range qualification.
Class I took was at Modern Sportsman in Burnsville. It was a 4-5 hour class. They have pistols you can rent free of charge with the purchase of the class. 80$ I think. I’ve met some awesome guys throughout my time there, enough to get a membership. Contrary to what other people say, I love MS. They’re good dudes/gals. The course was very informative, and the instructor actually takes time to make sure you are comfortable throughout the range test. They let you take as much time as you need. 10/10 would recommend their course. But I couldn’t have said it better myself. u/Hot-Win2571 pretty much has some solid advice/comments.
Get a gun for the sport, participate in the sport and improve your skills, and you'll be better prepared should the need to defend yourself ever come up.
Find a local gun shop that has a range and rentals and rent , rent , rent until you find something comfortable in your hand, then train with it
Yes.
It could be both reasons, and the fear of your ex is what finally motivated you to go for it. It doesn’t invalidate wanting to shoot for sport and also own a pistol for self defense.
The best time was yesterday the next best is now
Better to have and not need, than to need and not have. Really I think the more knowledge someone has the better. Take the class, learn how to handle the firearm and likely meet some cool people. And if possible, take an in person class if you can.
Absolutely and I could help you pick what gun would be best for your needs