Pistol Safety & Carry (Michigan CPL)

This is the class that certifies you to apply for your Michigan Concealed Pistol License (CPL). It’s taught through the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners (MCRGO) and exceeds the Michigan law that defines what a CPL course must cover — section 5j of 1927 PA 372. It pairs a full day of classroom instruction with hands-on range time and finishes with a live-fire qualification. When you complete it, you’ll receive a certificate to submit with your CPL application.

No prior experience is required, and the class is built to be beginner-friendly — you won’t be rushed or talked down to. That said, the course ends with a live-fire range qualification, so if you’ve never shot a handgun before, I recommend taking Basic Handguns first, so the range isn’t your very first time behind a pistol. (See the FAQ for more on that and what to bring.)

What the course covers

• Firearm handling and the safety rules — the core rules of safe gun handling, and the three “P’s” that define when a firearm should be loaded.
• Types of pistols — how revolvers and semi-automatics work, the parts of the pistol, the pros and cons of each, and how to load and unload them safely.
• Ammunition — the parts of a cartridge, common bullet types, and how to recognize the three most common ammunition malfunctions.
• Shooting fundamentals — eye dominance, stance, grip, sight alignment and sight picture, trigger press, and follow-through — plus the difference between marksmanship and defensive accuracy.
• Stoppages and malfunctions — telling a quick-to-clear stoppage from a true malfunction, and the drills to get a semi-auto or revolver running again.
• Avoiding violent confrontations — a survival mindset, the levels of situational awareness, cover versus concealment, how the body reacts under extreme stress, and the emotional aftermath of a defensive encounter.
• Carrying your firearm in public — your responsibilities as an armed citizen, public perception, avoiding criminal attack, open versus concealed carry, and the common concealment methods and their trade-offs.
• Michigan concealed-carry law — where, when, and how you can legally carry in Michigan, where firearms are prohibited, and the legal weight of using force. This portion includes a detailed, Michigan-specific legal video presented near the end of the day, before we head to the range.
• Practical range training — a range safety briefing, dry-fire practice, and a live-fire session that builds to your qualification.

Before you register

Recommended: If you’re new to handguns, take Basic Handguns first. A solid foundation in firearm safety and the fundamentals will make the CPL range qualification far more comfortable.

Firearm responsibility & rentals: Customers are responsible for bringing their own firearm. If you don’t have one, there will be a wide selection of rental firearms available at the range. Rentals are not included with any class and are subject to an additional rental fee on top of the class fee. Ammunition is not included.

Required gear:

• 50 rounds of factory ammunition
• Eye and ear protection
• Closed-toe shoes
• A high-collared shirt (no tank tops)
• A notebook and pen
• A willingness to learn

The class fee includes the range fee and a target.

Class Scheduling & Registration

Class dates, times, locations, and pricing are listed on my online scheduling page, where you can book directly.

Don’t see a date on the calendar? Contact me and tell me what you’re looking for — I’ll do my best to get something scheduled.