On Oahu, in order to get a gun you need a slip of paper that says you took a basic training class that meets the state's requirements. L.I.F.E. is the cheapest class you can take to get that piece of paper BUT it's a fun, quality class with great instructors. The class material follows the NRA basic training guide and covers gun safety, gun components, ammunition components, hire to soon, different stances, etc. Different instructors cover the different parts; so, it's interesting to hear their backgrounds and witness the different personalities and teaching styles. Hawaii gun laws are also covered. What I liked about this section is that the instructor for this portion, Bill, doesn't just spit out the wording verbatim. He explains how these laws came to be, some history, and how they apply to you in various situations. Example: if someone is assaulting your child and you grab your gun and head downstairs to confront the assaulter, if the assaulter leaving by the time you come down, you can't shoot because you're not preventing anything... The person is leaving. Then the fun part.... Shooting! I was nervous, who wouldn't be? But the instructors are great at making you feel comfortable because of their expertise and step by step instruction. We had 8? Instructors and 16? Students in class, so there wasn't a long wait and you can hop to different instructors and fire different guns. I fired at least 15 different guns, from Glock 17, 17L, 19, Springfield XD-9, Taurus 66, Ruger .22 Mark 3 Target, .40, .45, .38. What's great about different instructors is that they'll show you something a previous instructor didn't mention, little tricks they do, etc. The class is held once a month. You can check the website for times and registration. The basic class was held at Kokohead Shooting Complex from 8 to 4. Be sure to go 30 min early for registration. I came 15 min early but they were late setting up so I got lucky. When you register, an email is sent confirming your spot and telling you everything you'll need for class and where to go. They provide snacks and drinks. It gets hot out there. Stay hydrated. BOTTOM LINE: Best deal you're going to get. A great class, a great time! If you're looking to get that piece of paper, sign up here! read more

After 7 long and excruciating weeks... I FINALLY got my affidavit. I attended the Handgun Training back on February 9th, and only today (April 1st) did I received it. So if you're looking to get that piece of paper quickly, this is obviously NOT the place to go. I heard of other instructors and Firearms Shop getting the affidavit notarized and back to an individual within a week's time. read more

I attended the Hand Gun Safety Class that is required by the State of Hawaii . Only after they take your money, will they say that it will take 4-6 weeks to get the affidavit necessary to purchase a handgun. When all other classes would get the needed paperwork to you within a week of completion of the class. While that might not seem like a BIG deal, and after 7 weeks with no affidavit I saw them at the gun show. When I approached them asking about the status of the affidavit the President of LIFE HAWAII said that there were unexpected issues that came up not only with our class but with prior classes as well (so is that MY problem or YOURS?). They said the forms we're complete and ready to mail out, or I could return on Sunday (to the Gun Show) and they would bring it with them and I could pick it up in person. When I called on Sunday I was told that they were unable to " put the packet together and that they left it at home " because they got out late from the Gun Show the night before. Never did they put the packet together. The affidavit were NOTARIZED days after I seen them at the Gun Show. So I was LIED to again. Now this was after 7 - 8 weeks. So basically, if me and my Girlfriend didn't go to the Gun Show to ask about the affidavits, we would probably have WAITED even longer. I'm actually curious if others in the February 2014 class complained about the ridiculous wait time for affidavits. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! Bottom line, DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY HERE. read more

***BEWARE*** They will take your money, then at the training will tell you that you will receive your document in 4-6 weeks, but don't hold your breath. It's been 7 weeks, called, emailed, sent registered mail and no response. Finally, had to get the state regulators involved. STAY AWAY FROM THIS BUSINESS! Go to any other handgun instruction course and you will receive the required document within 1 week. read more

My son and I took the LIFE class on 11/27 and finally received our affidavits on 12/27. The good thing about HRA's LIFE course is the instruction was very good. I had more knowledge of firearms than most of the other students, but most of my experience has been with rifles so I did learn a lot about handguns. The block of instruction on Hawaii State laws taught by Bill was excellent. The last 2+ hours of the course was live fire. Instructors brought their personal weapons for us to shoot. We shot everything from single action revolvers to semiauto pieces in 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP. The downside to HRA's course is the excessive time you wait to receive your affidavit, which you need to purchase a handgun in Hawaii. I found out that others teaching this course get the affidavits to their students within a week of the course. I am giving LIFE three stars because of that. Also, the LIFE folks don't really point out the wait time to their students until you've paid and you show up for the class. Their web page does mention there could be a several week wait for the affidavit, but it's near the bottom of a page and you may not see it that easily. I would recommend HRA's LIFE course to the student who has little or no firearms experience and is not in a hurry to purchase a handgun. Again, the instruction was very good. I just didn't like having to wait a month to get my affidavit. read more

Took handgun safety class from this non-profit organization. Good course covering handgun basics. They follow the NRA and emphasize safety. Their Hawaii gun law coverage is good as well. The volunteer instructors are great, bringing their own firearms to share with the students. You'll see a lot of the instructors volunteering at the Sports Shooting Fair because they are passionate in educating people in firearms (not weapons). read more

This course was great, all the instructors kept your attention the whole time going over the safty and basic fundamentals. Best part was the 2 hour live shooting all the instructions were patient on helping you with any questions and if they had suggestions to help you. Where else could you pay $150 and shoot 50+ guns from a 43 glock to a .357 as much as you want. Took a little under 3 weeks to get my alfaphet in the mail. Great overall experience. They have fun shoots 1 a month for graduates of the course bring your own ammo and shoot away and perfect your skills. Worth the money read more

The class covered enough information for the beginner to get started in shooting. I think most people take this class in preparations to purchasing a pistol. But even if you aren't planning to own a firearm and just want to shoot, this is a great class to take. You'll learn the safe way to handle a pistol and possible malfunctions that could occur while shooting. Also the section on Hawaii gun laws is priceless. I can't imagine another class doing as good of a job on the Hawaii laws section. This is a section that you will want to know well, because each state has different gun laws. Even if you have a relative or friend who offers to teach you to shoot, they probably won't covered everything this class does. The class is held directly across from the silhouette range (upon entering the range facility, turn left to the class, turn right to the silhouette range). The class and 2 hour shooting session are held in the shade, it's still warm (we are in Hawaii) but at least we're not in the sun, thanks to the instructors who set up tents prior to the class. Seats are provided for the class and tables are provided on the shooting line. Also the targets are set at a reasonable distance which made it easy to determine where I was shooting. This class is a really nice set up with a lot of thought going into the set up. This class is definitely one of the most economical pistol classes (if not the most economical class) offered in Honolulu. The huge advantage of taking the LIFE class is that the shooting session provided us with access to dozens of different pistols to try. This was really important to me because I wanted to test fire any pistol that I would purchase. I wanted to ensure that I was making the most informed choice prior to purchasing my firearm. In the gun stores, you can only dry fire pistols and can't feel the recoil. I was able to fire Glocks, Springfields, Colts, Sig Sauers, Berettas, plus more. I was able to test all of the popular models that I was interested in purchasing. I was also able to fire different calibers. It was nice to be able to compare firing a 9 mm pistol against a 45 caliber pistol, against a .38 pistol. I even fired a 357, though I probably wouldn't purchase a 357 pistol, it was good to shoot one. You know, for comparison purposes. One reviewer complained about not getting their affidavit for 8 weeks. I don't remember how long it took to receive my affidavit (4 weeks?), but I wasn't in a rush to receive it. I was still shopping for my pistol when my affidavit arrived. I guess if you are taking the class because you need your affidavit by a certain time, I'd ask when they'd planned on sending out the affidavit. Or maybe plan a little better and take the class sooner. These are volunteers giving up their Sundays to teach firearm safety to newbies like me. If it takes 4-8 weeks to get my affidavit, I'm ok with that. Plus there are more advantages to taking the class from LIFE than other organizations. Another advantage is that we received a year's membership to the HRA which entitles us participate in the monthly fun shoots the HRA holds. The instructors are Grade A and very professional and they made me feel comfortable even though I was a relative beginner. I really felt that they were passionate about shooting and gun safety. They were very good about answering questions during the class and providing instruction during the shooting session. The entire atmosphere is comfortable and conducive to learning. This class is held by volunteer instructors. I really felt like this LIFE class was a great value for me. This is a no brainer for the amount you get for your money. read more

Great class, lots of instructors. Lots of knowledge and techniques to learn from the instructors. The class i took had at least 18 instructors for a class of 20 something. LOTS of guns to shoot. Reason for 4 stars is they take forever for the affidavit. Maybe since its a non-profit they just don't care. I waited 6 weeks and still no affidavit. So be prepared for the long wait, and the bad communication when trying to communicate to them about the affidavit read more