Personalized Training for Safe, Responsible Gun Owners
Questions & Answers About Firearm Training
As our name implies, safety is extremely important to us at Florida S.A.F.E. It is the first, middle, and last thought in everything that we do. Some of our policies and procedures may at times appear to be overly cautious, but keep in mind that your safety is our primary concern - ALWAYS. Great question! How are you supposed to learn to properly load and unload the gun if there is no ammunition in the classroom? Before a firearm related accident or injury can occur, three things need to be present: 1) a gun 2) ammunition 3) a human. Remove any of these three, and you eliminate the possibility of serious injury or worse. Our classroom training wouldn't be very effective if we didn't include the firearms, and obviously you have to be present for training to take place. Since we only do live fire at a range and never, ever in the classroom, the logical item to eliminate is the ammunition. We can practice loading and unloading by using "dummy" ammunition -- plastic replicas that are completely inert, yet they fit inside the gun's magazine and chamber just like the real thing.
Why is live ammunition not allowed in the classroom?
The No Live Ammunition in the Classroom policy applies to everyone in our classes - without exception. By "everyone," we mean instructors, students, law enforcement officers, concealed carry license holders - everyone. No exceptions. Anyone who violates this safety policy will be dismissed from the class and will forfeit the training fee.
No, but you are welcome to do so. We understand that some students have not yet purchased a gun (an excellent reason to enroll in some "basic" training!) and may need to borrow one for the live fire portion of their class. If available and on a first-come basis, the instructor may provide a gun for the student to use while on the range. Those who already own a gun that is in good working condition are encouraged to bring it. For the classroom portion of the training, instructors will demonstrate using unloaded guns and "dummy" ammunition.
Of course! Mark is a "traveling" instructor in that he can come to you if you prefer individualized instruction at your location or want to arrange instruction for your family or other small group. If you live or work within a 50-mile radius of Fernandina Beach, Florida, we can generally accomodate your request. For more distant locations, we can negotiate an arrangement or help you locate a local instructor. In all cases, you will need access to a public or private shooting range to complete the live fire portion of the FIRST Steps and Basic Pistol courses.
The Home Firearm Safety Course does not include a live fire component and is designed specifically for the peson who wants to know how to safely handle and store a gun, but doesn't want or need instruction on how to shoot it. Students who enroll in courses with live fire practice must complete the range time in order to receive the course completion certificate.
Do you offer Concealed Carry Permit / License training?
Not as a separate course, but successful completion of the FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation or Basic Pistol Course does satisfy the training requirement for this license as specified under Florida Statutes Section 790.06(2)(h)2. Please note that the National Rifle Association (NRA) does not promote, endorse, or sponsor any training courses specifically for the Florida Concealed Weapon/Firearm License. Florida issues a concealed carry license, rather than a permit.
Florida's Concealed Weapon or Firearm Program
For those who are interested in obtaining a Florida Concealed Weapon/Firearm License, you could choose to take a short and very limited course at a gun show or gun shop for roughly $30 to $60 dollars. The training you may receive from these courses may or may not be sufficient to meet your individual needs, even though it may meet the minimum standards established under Florida law. There are stories of some "instructors" requiring students in these courses to fire only two live rounds of ammunition or worse, using AirSoft BB guns. If you are going to carry a concealed firearm for personal protection, doesn't it make more sense to train properly with an actual firearm and to fire more than two practice shots to become familiar with the gun?
As responsible gun owners, we have an obligation to our fellow citizens to acquire and maintain sufficient levels of knowledge and skill, along with the proper attitude for safely handling firearms. Whatever your reasons are for choosing to exercise your Second Amendment right to gun ownership, take some time to evaluate your comfort level and skills with the handguns you own or consider for purchase. A relatively small investment of time and money for professional firearms training and safety instruction can add greatly to your enjoyment as a gun owner and potentially avoid serious problems in the future.
How do I join the NRA?
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