How to select an item from a table and then filter data using that - Joomla! Forum - community, help and support

hi all,
i've been using joomla! while develop new website. i'm developer , coming terms php.
so far have 2 managed tables. primary key of first table used filter (fk) display of items second table.
i've set these tables mvc , work great in administration mode , on front end component/module/plugin.
using plugin, have first table item names displayed in list on front page.
once user selects 1 of these items, want filter take effect.
what's way this? default on click bring edit screen on item.
it's doing head in because feel should simple... help?

please delete post - have changed logic of application makes sense - user selects primary table value, stored in session var , filters subsequent views.
got think more web developer
chris