This course will teach the basic knowledge and skills of operating firearms and will explain the attitude necessary for the safe handling and proper storage of guns in the home. The course includes lessons on the rules for safe gun handling, identifying and unloading different types of firearms, practical hands-on exercises in safe gun handling, types of ammunition, and cleaning and storage of firearms. While the firearms used in this class are real, no live ammunition is present or used in this class. Dummy ammunition will be used in all exercises. Course completion earns the Massachusetts State Police Safety Certificate and satisfies the training requirements for the issuance of a license to carry firearms. Participants must be at least age 15 to take the class and participants age 15-18 must have a parent present. All participants will be required to complete a liability waiver at the start of class (contact instructor for advanced copy if desired).