Wrenchman said:Azfive56 I think most of us here have ran in to people that dont have the temperament or common sense. I have ran in to more than one of them at gun ranges. People that are careless, have little to no knowledge, even some that are reckless. It is those types of people that make me pose the mandatory class question.
I feel like I know enough reckless idiots that could pull it together enough to pass a mandatory class, and then go do stupid stuff once set free. I think most people's carelessness or little to no shooting knowledge can be made up for with good training, but making it mandatory could be a slippery slope.
Have you considered inviting these new gun owners that you know to go out shooting and show them the ropes? If you feel like they're too careless, perhaps starting training with an empty firearm at their house to get used to safe handling procedures and the does and don'ts. For a lot of new gun owners, they may not feel comfortable joining a class until they have some initial comfort with the firearm.