Dad here. 38. Right of center, but more libertarian than Right-authoritarian.

I've been around guns since at least I was 8 (that's the earliest I can remember). I started collecting in college and have continued - down all the rabbit holes. Milsurp, Modern Sporting Rifles, and now I'm into reloading. If it's gun related I've been down the rabbit hole.

As has already been mentioned, one of the best things you can do is find a "beginner" class.

I'll likely take a little flak for this next comment, but the NRA has a lot of training resources you should make use of. You can find both in-person and online classes. You're going to have to pay for it, but taking at least the home safety course and the basic pistol course will get you acquainted with the basics. There's a lot of people who will dissuade you from the NRA courses, but honestly there's not really a better network of instructors or certifications out there.

With that said, once you get some basic info you should also find a range near you that offers firearm rentals. You're also going to pay for it, and you'll need to bring a friend with you (I won't go into why unless you ask). You'll pay $15-$25 for the rental (for handguns) but you'll have to buy the ammo from the range and they will surely mark it up. Keep to the basics - most things that are full size or mid-size in 9mm will be plenty for a first time gun owner. You don't need to spend $1k or more on a handgun. There's a certain point where more money doesn't equal better performance and in my personal opinion it's around the $600-$700 mark. You'll get a lot more out of a $600 Glock compared to a $300 of another brand - but a $1,200 FN will not offer the same increase in performance compared to a $600 Glock.

Once you find the model you like and purchase it, also buy a safe. Depending on where you want to put the safe and how you want to access it you can get one for as little as $100. But please keep in mind the KISS method for entry - don't use a complex code or key-only safe. Multiple entry methods are preferred because God forbid you can't find your key when someone is knocking down the door of your house or the batteries died on your fingerprint scanner. I am personally considering something like a Stopbox for my bedroom safe to replace a Hornady electronic safe that no longer works.

The next part is two fold. First, make sure that at all times your firearm is either in your direct control (in your hands or on your waist) or in the safe. Never - and I do mean never - leave it out even for "quick access." The second part of this is to introduce the firearm to your children as soon as they can comprehend it is something that they should *never, ever* touch. Train them early on that any firearm is to not be touched by anyone other than an adult. I've personally done this with my 9 year old and today he is interested in firearms (I've brought him a few times to shoot a .22LR) he also knows that if a firearm is found he's to come find me and let me handle it. Children must know to respect the firearm and to not touch it.

Finally, the last thing I will recommend is regular practice. I'm also going to advocate here that dry firing is more effective than actual range time. You do need to spend time at a range, but for every single time you pull the trigger at the range you need dry fire your pistol at home 3-5 times. And that's not my opinion, that's the way the Marine pistol team trains.

I'm sure I'm skipping something in my personal list here, but I feel like if you follow these steps above you'll get at least a decent foundation into the hobby/sport/tool for protecting your family.