**Update** Nevada is now honoring Arizona Resident and non Resident CCWs.  See Here

I recently participated in my first handgun class and I have to say it was much more informative then I was expecting. It was a 2 day class focused around hand gun laws and practical shooting technique. The first day was classroom course work and the second day was on the range.

For someone like me who has not shot handguns on a regular basis a class in handgun basics is a great idea. Many of us try to mimic what we see on tv and in the movies, or listen to Billy Bob next to us on the range, but at the end of the day we don't really understand the body mechanics of how to shoot. The class I took was relatively short almost a crash course, but I left that class much more proficient with my weapon. To be fair prior to the class I was lucky enough to shoot with a friends brother who was ex military and a weapons trainer. I credit him and  a lot of rounds at the range for solid shooting fundamentals, but remember shooting is academic. You are never to good of a shot and you should always be learning and imporiving.

One last note I took from the class, don't trust gun law you read in forums, hear from a gun store clerk s, or any other non cited source. It is your responsibility to know the laws and interpret them don't trust any other persons interpretations.


Below are some helpful links and documents our instructor provided us in the class.

Here's a link to CA DOJ's PDF "CA Firearms Laws" http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/pdf/cfl2013.pdf. Get to know the DOJ's website (http://oag.ca.gov/firearms) and don't be afraid to call and speak with a DOJ Agent (916) 263-4887. They have been pretty cool to request info from.

Another great website for every state's laws is http://www.handgunlaw.us/.

A great website to check reciprocity and recognition of your CCW's is http://www.usacarry.com/concealed_carry_permit_reciprocity_maps.html.


Here are couple Shooting Maps that give some suggestions based on your shot grouping. It was the first time I had seen these and the looked pretty neat,

Fremdschämen (external shame)

A fun German word I ran across that has no english translation. In fact it looks to be a recent addition to the German language, but does an outstanding job of expressing a very german feeling.

 Have you ever watched someone make a fool of themselves, only to find yourself cringing in embarrassment for them? Then you’ve most likely experienced fremdschämen. This German word is made up of two parts, with fremd meaning “foreign” and schämen meaning “to be embarrassed.” The term is typically used to describe someone who feels embarrassment on behalf of someone else. The corresponding noun for this feeling is Fremdscham.

Fremdschämen (pronounce: "Fremmd-Shamen") is the German word for the sentiment of joint embarassment. In the literal sense it means "external shame".

Use it in a sentence!Today's example was prompted by the Eurovision Song Contest, always a good opportunity to feel embarassed for others.

"Bereits nach den ersten Klängen des diesjährigen Beitrags von Großbritannien zum Eurovision Song Contest zuckte das Publikum innerlich zusammen. Ein europaweites Fremdschämen machte sich breit."

"Right after the first notes of Great Britain's contribution to this year's Eurovision Song Contest, the audience winced innerly. A feeling of Fremdschämen spread throughout Europe."  
Too harsh? You be the judge.

Enjoy!