• Handgun safety courses must adhere to many requirements.collectible handgun image by jodi mcgee from Fotolia.com
  
  The proper use of a handgun is one of the most important aspects to owning a firearm of this type--or any type for that matter. There are numerous safety courses available across the country, and there are requirements associated with these courses that are mandated by federal, state, and local laws. There are many similarities within these jurisdictional standards, because they are based on common sense and general firearm knowledge.
  
  

General Requirements

• A handgun safety course will generally include several basic aspects regardless of the jurisdiction that administers and enforces the course requirements. These include proper handling of a handgun; the proven ability to load and fire a handgun accurately; knowledge of the applicable laws pertaining to handgun ownership and the sale of handguns; knowledge of the applicable laws pertaining to the use of lethal force; handgun safety in the home environment and handgun storage safety. These requirements apply whether a handgun will be used for sport, hunting, self-protection or in a concealed-carry capacity. (Reference 1)
  
  

Certification of Taking a Safety Course

• Each state has adopted its own method of certifying that an individual has taken a handgun safety course. California, for example, forbids the sale or ownership of a handgun without proof that the purchaser or recipient has taken and passed the Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC). This requirement, which falls under California Penal Code section 12071(b)(8), that anyone who attempts to purchase a handgun from a dealer must have passed a written test developed by the DOJ and must perform a safe-handling demonstration. Additionally, the HSC issuance and witnessing of the safe-handling demonstration can only be performed by a person holding a DOJ Certified Instructors card. (Reference 2)
  
  

Online Certification Options

• The state of Maryland offers online certification to satisfy one of the requirements for owning a handgun. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services website provides a link to this online certification course at no cost. According to information on the "Firearms Safety Training" web page, the course takes approximately 30 minutes and passage will satisfy one requirement for any resident of the state who wishes to own a handgun. Meeting any other requirements is the responsibility of the applicant. (Reference 3)