8 Things You Should Know Before Attending a My Sister's Keeper Defense Class

Updated 6/10/2025

1. What happens during class. Our new group Women’s Intro To Pistol I classes consist of 1 hour of classroom and approximately 40 minutes of shooting time. During the first hour, 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. Under careful observation and instruction, students will spend the next 40 minutes shooting 40 rounds of provided 9mm ammunition (or whichever other personal handgun caliber they choose to bring to the class). 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. Once we finish shooting, students will be reminded to wash the lead/gunpowder off their hands then 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.

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. 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.
- 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 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.

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. We provide a ton of educational materials during and after each class. 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. Participants can simply submit a reschedule form. Reschedule forms are automated. You will receive an auto confirmation message once you submit the form. There will not be an additional email confirmation but there will 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