RE: new guy needs advice
I would definitely suggest to join a gun club and it sure wouldn’t hurt to take a safety coarse as you mentioned. As for firearms, I would say that after you take your safety coarse you would then be a little more familiar with what calibers to get and what the different calibers are used for. Then the fun begins. You might consider getting a 22lr just to get use to shooting and handling a firearm. Good luck in your adventure.