What To Expect - 8 Things You Should Know Before Attending a My Sister's Keeper Defense Class

Updated 01/10/2026

READING THIS INFORMATION IN ITS ENTIRETY IS MANDATORY FOR ALL STUDENTS PRIOR TO REGISTRATION.

1. What happens during class. Our group Women’s Intro To Pistol I classes consist of 1 hour of classroom and approximately 1 hour of range time. Students will not be shooting the entire 60 minutes. During the first 30 minutes, students will be in the classroom learning and demonstrating safe firearm handling and fundamentals using training pistols (not real firearms). Next we’ll prepare students for the range with a quick restroom break and issue all protective gear. Then we’ll enter the range and commence live fire with real firearms. Students will be split into two groups. Under careful observation and instruction, the first group of students will spend the next 30 minutes shooting a combination of provided .22 and 9mm ammunition (or whichever other personal handgun caliber they choose to bring to the class). While the first group is shooting, the second group will be loading magazines and familiarizing themselves with the firearm. Then the groups will swap.

The classes are designed to give you the information needed to continue practicing on your own at local gun ranges or taking our private classes. It is impossible to learn everything there is to know about firearms in one class so we consider our classes the beginning of your firearms journey.

Trauma note: Shooting firearms is an extremely loud and overwhelming experience. While we do our best to manage this discomfort with hearing protection, patience and quality firearms education, you may still experience some discomfort during class. We recommend that you go to a range prior to registering for class to make yourself aware of the sounds of firearms. If you find that you have a noise sensitivity then please do not register for a class and consider another means of self defense. If you have experienced violence, trauma or dangerous environments then we recommend you take time and space for yourself to heal prior to registering for a firearms class. Handling firearms may be a triggering experience and we do not want to further your trauma. There are many other non-lethal and less than lethal means of self defense. Gun ownership is NOT a necessity. If you are currently registered for an upcoming class and realize you have a noise sensitivity or violence related trauma then please email me and I will gladly refund your registration fee.

Once we finish shooting, students will be reminded to wash the lead/gunpowder off their hands then we’ll cover lethal force and GA gun law. Lastly, we’ll do a Q&A and end with a class photo. The Women’s Intro To Pistol I Class includes range time, firearm rental, target, protective gear and 9mm ammunition.

Private Classes

During private, one-on-one classes, we spend the first 30 minutes in the classroom learning and demonstrating safe firearm handling and fundamentals then we head to the range to spend the remainder of the class in the range shooting live firearms. Depending on which private class you’re taking we may come back to the classroom to clean your firearm (Pistol Fundamentals + Cleaning) or we’ll head to the gun range counter to help you purchase your firearm (Firearm Selection Course). Similarly to the Intro To Pistol I class, we’ll end with a Q&A and a photo. Private classes include range time, firearm rental (excludes Pistol Fundamentals + Cleaning), target, protective gear and 25 rounds of 9mm.

If you plan to bring your own firearm to our classes, read the bullet points below. If you do not plan to bring a firearm, skip to #2. The class cost is the same if you bring your own firearm, ammunition or protective gear. If you do. To own a firearm, we will provide one for you.

Firearms, magazines and standard black firearm cases look familiar and can be easily confused. Each student needs to know the make (brand), model, caliber and serial number for their firearm. This information can be found on the slide (top of firearm). You should also have this information saved in an email or on a spreadsheet for liability purposes. If your gun is ever lost or stolen, you’ll need this information to file a police report.
Example:
Make - Glock
Model # - 19
Caliber - 9mm
Serial # - BYH123
Put a unique marking or sticker on your gun case so you can easily identify which case is yours. Think luggage tag. I also like using the Vaultek LifePod TSA approved gun cases. They come in bright (not obvious that its a gun case) colors and they’re easy to transport.
We provide 9mm ammunition for students so make sure your magazines are unloaded so you don’t accidentally shoot your ammo instead of ours. Also make sure you know exactly how many magazines you have. Count your magazines before you leave to make sure they have not been misplaced. We recommend writing your initials on your magazines using a metallic sharpie marker.
If your firearm is NOT a 9mm then you will need to bring ammunition (at least 40 rounds) to the Women’s Intro To Pistol I class. You’ll need 25 rounds of ammunition for a private one-on-one class. Make sure you are bringing practice ammunition and NOT defensive ammunition (learn more here). The defensive ammunition is twice as expensive as the practice ammunition and it will not do anything different to your paper target. We have ammunition available for sale at GA Firing Line. Purchase ammunition prior to your arrival at the class/event. If you need help selecting ammunition, email me at training@mskdefense.com.
For your safety and the safety of our MSKD staff, we no longer allow antique firearms, relics, revolvers or firearms purchased prior to the year 2010. We only allow students to bring their own firearms if it is a semiautomatic handgun and either a .380, 9mm, .40 or .45 caliber. Your firearm must also have at least one magazine.
We also no longer allow firearms that have experienced multiple safety hazards or recalls; including any firearms made by the company SCCY.
If you are unsure if your firearm is allowed, please email a photo of both sides of the firearm to training@mskdefense.com. We will provide a firearm for you to use if your personal firearm does not meet the criteria. .

2. Who’s gonna be there? Group Women’s Intro To Pistol I accommodates up to 10 participants. These classes are open to the public and any woman can register. Private, one-on-one classes accommodate up to 3 students should you choose to add guests to your registration. Private, one-on-one classes are not open to the public so the only participants will be those you add during registration, if any. All private classes are coed. Children ages 12+ can register and attend any class with a registered parent present (excludes private Firearm Selection Course because minors can’t purchase firearms).

3. Each class has a different agenda. Please check out our training page and read full class descriptions to make sure you’re attending the best class for you.

4. You get out of the class what you put into it. Be sure to bring your own note-taking materials and come prepared to ask questions. Consider bringing a list of specific questions you have to make sure you get the information you’re looking for.

5. Be sure to read all class policies, dress code and all arrival instructions carefully. You can find all class policies here. The class waiver and arrival instructions will be sent out via email 7 days prior to your class date. We want to make sure we provide the best experience for all students and it’s best that everyone knows exactly what to expect.

6. We are only hosting classes at GA Firing Line in Marietta, Georgia for the foreseeable future. We understand this location may not be convenient for some students but we have an agreement with this range that allows us to offer inexpensive class prices and a flexible class schedule. Most ranges have their own classes and they typically do not allow outside instructors.

7. We do not have a business phone number but we are VERY responsive to emails. Also, no need to email us if you’re running late or unable to attend your scheduled Intro To Pistol I class. To reschedule or cancel any class, go to your confirmation email and click the “Change/Cancel Appointment” button. There will also be a reminder email sent 7 day prior to your new class date. Please DO let me know if you’re running late for a private, one-on-one class as these classes only allow a 15 minute grace period.

8. Group Intro To Pistol I classes are for the girlies. Our women’s classes are for women, girls and anyone who identifies as woman or female. Boys/men/males or anyone who identifies as such are not permitted to attend or monitor women’s classes. At this time, we do not offer coed group classes but all private, one-on-one classes are coed.

Marchelle DavisJanuary 13, 2021Comment