In about a month, I should be part of the 3 percent.
It took the patience of two firearms professionals, a day and a half of work, some cash, a steady hand and clean criminal and mental health background checks.
Despite thousands of gun owners in Oklahoma, only about 3.7 percent of the population hold a handgun license.
I should be one soon, and I just shot my first gun two weeks ago.
Firearms safety a must
With no experience in firearms and an open carry law coming up, it was time to see the license process for myself and get in a few shots.
On a recommendation from a co-worker, I called Tulsa Firearms Training Academy, 5949 S. Garnett Road, to see if they'd indulge a columnist.
After I explained my quest to understand more about guns and licensing, instructor Dave Randle gave it some thought.
"If you've never held a gun, you need a firearms safety course," Randle said. "If I'm in a situation next to you, and you pull a weapon, you need to know what you're doing. After this, you'll be ready."
I joked he had a lot of faith in my yet-to-be-proven skills.
"No, I have a lot of faith we know what we're doing," Randle said.
The Tulsa World offered to pay for the courses, which run about $100 to $135 or free with a gun purchase, but gun-range employees declined payment.
Safety instructor Curtis Leos explained the workings of different guns, getting a proper stance and grip, aiming, using front and rear sights - totally new terms to me - and finding my dominant eye for optimum shooting.
As I got on the range, my hands shook as he watched me load a magazine with five cartridges into a .22-caliber Ruger semi-automatic.
Leos waited as I found a comfortable hold and spoke to me through the process.
"That's it, focus on the front sight, breathe and pull the trigger back slowly, like cracking an egg," he said.
My first shot hit the middle area.
It was fun. It was daunting holding an item so deadly.
And shooting accurately was harder than I ever imagined.
What you learn in class
I would have been lost in the handgun license training without the safety class first.
The training skims over a lot - the law, basic gun safety and an assessment of shooting ability - in six to eight hours.
My uncle took a course in a small town with a choice of one instructor, who got sidetracked by political rants.
The director of the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, which certifies instructors, didn't seem surprised.
"We wouldn't recommend instructors do that because it's best just to stick to the lessons," said Director Steve Emmons, a retired Tulsa Police Department sergeant. "But sometimes in places, the instructors will start telling stories."
Emmons suggested people unfamiliar with guns check for training at gun ranges, firearms businesses or security companies. If complaints are made on an instructor, CLEET will drop in to verify the curriculum is being met.
At Tulsa Firearms, instructor Kelley Gilmore stayed on course in the license training, no politics, no legal opinions.
Gilmore said about 10 percent of people in his license classes are experienced shooters, which he classifies as having shot at least 1,000 rounds in a lifetime.
To encourage the inexperienced, the gun range throws in a year's membership to get people to practice.
The one-day class consisted of about 12 people, ranging from older men to young women, with varying skills.
Some were novices like myself, hitting all over the target. Others nailed the center nearly every time.
Coursework includes going over "imminent danger" and when to legally use deadly force.
"Imminent danger changes from moment to moment," he said. "You can pull the weapon, then still must decide if you are still in danger."
Gilmore pointed out how defense situations will include bad lighting, adrenaline and odd angles.
"Remember, there is a big difference between shooting for practice and shooting the bad guy," he said.
Gilmore stressed safety, almost unconsciously checking all guns he touches for a leftover cartridge. Other points:
- Carrying a weapon does not make you a freelance police officer or a good Samaritan.
- Never display a handgun to gain leverage in an argument.
- A cool head and even temper can keep handgun carriers out of trouble.
When it comes to open carry, Gilmore and other instructors support it but think it'll be short-lived by some carriers.
"Ever see James Bond open carry?" Gilmore asked. "Why give your advantage away?"
Plus, open carriers will become aware of making others uncomfortable or more business owners may ban weapons to make all customers feel at ease.
The final part of the training was on the range, shooting 50 rounds at various distances.
"You did pretty good, a nice start," Gilmore told me. "You'd have to keep at it though."
I beamed at the compliment and have my target hanging by my desk.
Target shooting not easy
Armed with paperwork, a $100 money order made out to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and a $25 money order for the Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, the process ended with a sheriff's deputy taking my fingerprints for background checks.
Computer scans saved me from inky palms.
It all seemed easy at that point.
Why shouldn't it be?
I have never been arrested or declared mentally unfit, I passed the training, and it's my right.
But shooting a gun on target is extremely difficult.
Unless a person regularly keeps up with the skill, a lot can go wrong.
For sport, this could become an addictive and expensive hobby for me. I get the allure.
But, with two small children, I'm not ready for a gun in my house. Maybe one day.
For now, I will live with a healthy respect for the weapon and people who choose to legally have them.
Original Print Headline: Novice learns what it takes to get gun license
