Where to learn...
 

I have recently radically changed my views on gun ownership. I decided that it was alright for responsible people to own guns for the reasons of sport and self defence only (whereas before I found guns to be tools of those not strong enough to stand on their own). Having said that, I was wondering where one could aquire the training to handle most classes of gun. I would be willing to sign up for classes and devote a decent amount of time studying this subject. I think it would be best to go into this with my eyes open. I do not want to own a gun without having exstensive knowledge first. I was planning on purchasing a Walther P99 9mm, so please no need for reccomendations on what gun to buy after I am trained.
Thank you for any advise you can offer.

At first, I was going to suggest call the local gun shop and/or shooting range and ask about courses, but then I noticed you live in SF so may not have a local gun shop. But, if you do, that typically is the best place to start. Most ranges will offer classes and have rentals.

You could also sign up for a concealed-carry class, which I assume CA still allows, even though the chances of your ever actually obtaining a permit are pretty slim. But, the class gives insight as to how to carry and feel comfortable with guns.

I think the P99 might not a good choice for a pistol in CA. If you've tried it out and you think the grip fits then go for it, but you might want to look into a single stack (Thinner grip) pistol since you will be limited to ten rounds in CA. Single vs. Double stack when your limited to only ten rounds is really a question of personal preference since you won't be sacrificing capacity.

That being said the P99 (not the SW99) is a fantastic pistol, great ergonomics, decent trigger, and a tough finish.

As for courses I don't know much about what goes on in CA.

check out these guys http://www.jacksonarms.com/ they are in SF and they offer an indoor range, rentals, and classes.

You can also contact the NRA or visit their websit. They can put you in touch with NRA certified instructors. Whatever your view of the NRA, they do promote gun safety.

Most 'normal' classes will teach you how to shoot a gun and be safe with it. If you are looking at a firewarm for self defense then I would suggest taking a specialized class. Yavapi Fiewarms is close by in the southwest. Ayoob is in the east, as is Gunsite. These classes, and others like them, prepare you to use a firewarm in real self defnse situations and the ramafications of your actions. They are very valuable.

Most of the big name shooting schools are very good at training the novice in the appropriate class. Thunder Ranch is moving up to Oregon, Front Sight is just outside of Las Vegas, Gunsite is just north of Prescott, AZ., Mas Ayoob, Louis Awerbuck (Yavapai Academy) and John/Vickie Farnam are "gypsies" traveling to any place a sponsor has a class set up for them to teach. There are small schools near Bakersfield, CA and Onalask, WA that I forget the names of. Chapman Academy is in Missouri. The NRA has excellent gypsy instructors traveling around the USA. Call them and ask if they have anything coming up in your area, (703) 267-1500. There is a huge gun show scheduled at the Cow Palace in Daly City on Sept. 25-26. Go over there, just wander around and ask about schools. You are approaching this in a "heads up manner". Good for you.

Thunder Ranch (Clint Smith) and Front Sight (Dr. Piazza) are excellent at getting you trained with the least BS. John and Vickie Farnam are excellent instructors and will bring out the best in your efforts. Do a Google search and start shopping. Mas Ayoob likes to lecture in the classroom too much for a first timer, but someday your shooting education will need his view point on the legal use of "Deadly Force".

Edit: I just did the Google search myself. The Onalaska school is Marty Hayes' Firearms Adademy of Seattle. He is a very impressive instructor. It looks like you have a couple of schools right in the Bay Area. I know nothing of them, but I'm sure that they would incourage you to drop by and just watch for a couple of hours to get an idea of what their approach is.

As stated, go to NRA.org and look up where they are having training classes in your area. You don't have to join the NRA, and the teaching is top notch. Also the price is not horrendius and they also cater complete novices. Good stuff.

Holy Jeez. Thanks for the help! I'll check out each of those. Oh and the P99 was an amazing fit, but I didn't know about the 10 round limit in Ca, so thanks for the info. <- newb at guns

also look for a local uspsa or idpa shooting group. they are usually very new-commer friendly, and you learn to draw and fire, reload, shoot while moving, and other fun stuff.

http://www.uspsa.org/

and

http://www.idpa.com/