Seems to me, your first step would be to get your HQL in order to purchase a regulated firearm (handgun) when you turn 21 in a couple months. Unless you are exempt, MD requires that you take a 4hr course, which would cover many of your safety and firearm basics and get you well on your way to familiarization and help you to decide what firearm might be right for your first purchase.
I am a firearms instructor and provide this training, but unless you are in Southern Maryland often, there are bound to be others closer to Rockville for you to use. In any event, I would be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have and to help you navigate the sometimes-confusing Maryland laws and hurdles that you must jump to exercise your 2A rights. Feel free to reach out here or via email service@citadeltraining.net.
If you were to do the 16-hour Wear & Carry Course, you could get the HQL for free after your permit was issued. Your post made it seem that you wanted to get familiar with your firearm before going that route, but I wanted to make sure that was known.
I am a firearms instructor and provide this training, but unless you are in Southern Maryland often, there are bound to be others closer to Rockville for you to use. In any event, I would be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have and to help you navigate the sometimes-confusing Maryland laws and hurdles that you must jump to exercise your 2A rights. Feel free to reach out here or via email service@citadeltraining.net.
If you were to do the 16-hour Wear & Carry Course, you could get the HQL for free after your permit was issued. Your post made it seem that you wanted to get familiar with your firearm before going that route, but I wanted to make sure that was known.