Handgun Owner Foundations
The baseline every handgun owner should have before anything else.
Course details
- Format
- Online, self-paced
- Provider
- U.S. LawShield
- Best for
- New owners, and anyone who inherited a firearm and never got formal instruction.
- Counts toward a permit?
- No — this is education
Pricing is shown on the U.S. LawShield course page. We don't publish prices we haven't verified.
Why this course
What it's actually about.
If you own a handgun — or you are about to — this is the course that establishes the floor. It covers how a handgun works, how to handle one safely, and the decisions a new owner faces before they ever get to the range.
Most people acquire this knowledge in fragments from friends, forums and gun counter conversations. This assembles it in one place, in order.
What it covers
- How handguns operate and the differences between common types
- The safety rules and why each one exists
- Loading, unloading and safe handling
- Storage decisions for your household
- What to expect on your first range trip
Who it's for
New owners, and anyone who inherited a firearm and never got formal instruction.
Enroll nowPart of these learning paths
I just bought my first handgun
It's in the house and you'd rather be competent with it than merely in possession of it. Start with how it works and how to store it.
There are kids in the house
Storage and access deserve more thought than the firearm did. How to keep it genuinely out of reach while it's still available to you.
Related courses
Firearm Safety Rules
Four rules, and the reasoning that makes them stick.
ViewHandgun Ammunition 101
What the numbers on the box mean and which ones matter.
ViewRange Safety & Etiquette
Walk into any range and know exactly how to conduct yourself.
ViewThis is education, not licensing. This course does not satisfy any state permit requirement and is not legally required to own or carry a firearm. For coursework that counts toward a concealed carry permit, see state permit training.
Educational information only. Not legal advice. Firearm laws change, and requirements vary by state, county and issuing authority. Verify current requirements with the issuing authority before you apply.
Handgun Owner Foundations
The baseline every handgun owner should have before anything else.
Delivered by U.S. LawShield. The Ammo Academy earns a commission on courses purchased through our links, at no extra cost to you.