My New Tool

[Cinjin]

This thread makes me want to go buy a gun. I imagine I should take a class first on how to properly handle a gun.
What steps should I take? My experience is very low.

My father taught me how to handle a firearm as a child. I can say for sure that this sounds like a very good way for an adult to go about it:

See if you can find a range with rentals that offers a safety/beginning shooters class. ...several different guns...

However, there's a real catch to this next pointer:

Other than that get a 22 for your first gun. They are a lot cheaper to shoot than anything else. Then practice, practice, practice...

Although normally I would agree with this 99 out of 100 times, there is a wee problem. It's nearly impossible to find and purchase 22 cal. rounds right now. There's a major shortage of bullets and even if you can find some, it won't be many and they won't last long. You could find yourself with a brand new 22 rifle/pistol and no ammo to shoot. There's been a shortage (to say the least) for over 8 months now and no one seems to know when it's going to end.

At any rate, if 22 rounds do become available than yes, popeye's advice is good - but if you want to get into shooting sooner than later, you may be better off going with something in a 9mm. (Even though that is quickly disappearing too)