#WhatTheGun

San Diego County Firearm Training Resources

What is #WhatTheGun?

WhatTheGun is your one-stop resource page for professional instructors in San Diego who teach classes specifically designed for new gun owners. Here, you can find locations, course descriptions, cost, and contact information for introductory firearms classes.
Showing 1 - 18 of 18
Introduction to Firearms
$75.00
929 E Main St. , 92021, AO Sword
NRA Certified Basic Firearm
$80.00
2082 Willow Glen Dr , El Cajon, California 92019, United States
Handgun First Steps
$99.00
13550 Danielson St. Poway , 92064, Poway Weapons and Gear
New Shooters Clinic - Full Day Course
$250.00
235 W. Market St. , 92101, Tactical Hyve
Get to Know Your Gun Class
$75.00
7853 Balboa Avenue , 92111, The Gun Range San Diego
An Introduction To Your Firearm
$75.00
1032 S Main Ave , 92028, Beebe Family Arms
Families with Firearms
$20.00
13550 Danielson St. , 92064, Poway Weapons and Gear
Basic Pistol Course
$75.00
2717 Loker Ave W Ste B , 92010, Gunther Guns
Introduction to Handguns
$69.00
2082 Willow Glen Dr. , 92019, P2K
BASIC HANDGUN SAFETY & RESPONSIBILITY COURSE: I...
$125.00
1510 Morena Blvd San Diego , 92110, Discount Gun Mart
Basic Pistol 1
$100.00
1440 Descanso Ave. , 92069, North County Shooting Center
Intro to Pistol
$199.00
2937 Norman Strasse Rd , San Marcos, California 92069, United States
USCCA Basic Handgun
$105.00
1020 Marron Valley Rd , Dulzura, California 91917, United States
NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting
$125.00
504 Alvardo Street # 207 , 92028, Defensive Tactics and Firearms
HANDGUN SKILLS SERIES - CLASS 1 - FUNDAMENTALS
$125.00
1510 Morena Blvd , 92110, Discount Gun Mart
NRA Women on Target
$70.00
Valley Center, California 92082, United States
Level 1 Defensive Handgun Class
$250.00
4770 Ruffner St. , 92111, CCW USA
Combat Pistol 1.5
$225.00
1020 Marron Valley Rd , 91917, Active Shooter Defense School

Let’s talk basics!

SDCGO recommends that beginners start with ordering the book Decoding Firearms by John Petrolino. Decoding Firearms is a great educational tool and fantastic reference.  While you are waiting for it to arrive, check out our FAQs.  We put together some basic information that is not a substitute for a professional class by a certified instructor, but it will get you started.

1) Treat all guns as if they are loaded at all times (even if you know they are not loaded).

2) Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

3) Never point any gun at anything that you are not willing to destroy.

4) Be aware of your target, its surroundings, and what is beyond.

Unless you have a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit, transporting a firearm in public should be done with a closed, locked, firearms case. The firearm should be completely unloaded.

Pro Tip: get a hard-sided case that you can lock, put your unloaded firearm in the case, and lock the case. That way you can carry the locked case with the unloaded firearm inside, to your car, in your far, and from your car once you arrive.

Here is an example of a hard-sided, lockable case:

If you have children, you MUST store your firearms locked or in a safe. Children cannot have access to firearms, according to California law. Additionally, some cities (like the city of San Diego) have laws that require you store your firearm locked or locked up any time the firearm is not in your direct control. Here is an example of a safe that will secure your firearm, but still give you access to it in case of an emergency:

All ownership transfers in California must be done through a Federal Firearms License (FFL) professional. Among other things and for a fee, the FFL will:

  • Register your firearm with the State
  • Ensure you have passed the state mandated test for your California Firearm Safety Certificate
  • Hold the firearm for the California mandated 10-day wait period
  • Complete a background check on the buyer to make sure they are not legally prohibited from owning a firearm.

To buy or sell a firearm from someone who is looking to sell you their firearms, meet at a gun shop and let the shop process the transfer.

Generally, if you want to carry a loaded firearm on you for protection, you must have a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permit. CCWs are issued by the sheriff and there is a bit of a process, but SDCGO has made the process easy to follow. Check out our resources page for details: www.SDCGO.org/CCW