IndyGunSafety
Master
I think you missed something here. One of the options is being trained by a family member. Why do we always think that training must come from some "professional"? There can (not always) be competent family members who are able to train others.
I am not discounting that there are many people who need to obtain training from courses but I do not think that needs to be the first or last course of action for everybody.
As a professional trainer, I often deal with people who have been "trained" by their "uncle who's a cop", or their dad, or husband or whatever. When they ask to see a gun in the shop, they don't clear it, put thier finger on the trigger, and point the gun at my chest or at a loved on who is with them.
If you wanted to learn to fly, would you go to your "friend who knows about flying", or to a certified flight instructor who has the knowledge, skills, education, and experience to train you?
When Ohio first put out their CCW program I had to take the NRA Basic Pistol Course. I was not happy. I had been shooting since age 5, hunting since 12, qualified expert on the 1911 during basic training at 17, and had been a competitive shooter for over 20 year. I sat through the class thinking to myself "Wow, I didn't know that" OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
Nothing beats professional instruction from certified instructors.
From experience I can tell you, if you have never taken a formal course from a certified instructor, any 13 year old girl who has taken NRA basic pistol, rifle, and/or shotgun, is safer than you, handles guns better than you, and can 'prolly SHOOT better than you! I mean that! It's not rocket science. You simply have to be introduced to all of the concepts, and if you have never had formal training you are missing pieces of the puzzle.
I used to offer your money back if you felt you didn't learn anything from our courses. Nobody EVER took me up on it because most are humbled by what they didn't know, so it became pointless to offer.
One last interesting point: Just yesterday in my Basic Pistol Course, I had a lady in her 60's who had never fired a gun before. I also had "experienced" shooters in the course. With 4 different semi-auto's and revolvers, she shot 40 rounds inside the center ring of a paper plate (about 6") from 20 feet. She never flinched, keep her grip and stance consistent and shot the pants off of everyone else in the course. This happens all the time. Professional instruction lays down a foundation of safety and fundamentals, some of which that are missed by "your dad".