Before You Buy Your First Firearm

So, you’re considering buying your first firearm. Perhaps a pistol or revolver, but you’re just not sure yet. That’s a good thing because a firearm should never be an impulse purchase (okay, certainly not the first one). There are good reasons to buy a firearm. There are good reasons not to. Because owning a firearm, any firearm, comes with responsibilities. And you need to understand and be willing to assume those responsibilities before purchasing.

It should be noted that in most states, your car is an extension of your home and having a firearm in your car does not require a carry permit or license. Please check with your state laws and regulations. Some states mean to deprive you of your basic rights and you need to fully understand their laws because states that limit freedom tend to impose severe consequences on citizens who try to exercise their rights. Work to run the politicians who would rule you out of office, or just move to a better state.

If you’ve made the decision to “carry”, there are many factors to consider. What type of carry firearm works best? Semi-auto pistol or revolver? What size? What caliber? Some of the questions about home-based firearms are the same for carry, with a few exceptions. The size and weight of a carry weapon are far more critical than for a home-based firearm. How will it be carried? How big is too big? Will it be holstered or in a handbag (there are handbags made specifically for carry)? Shoulder, outside the waistband or inside the waistband? What weight can be comfortably carried for extended periods of time? How big before it prints (shape shows through the clothing)?

A lot will depend on your size and weight. A large person will be more comfortable with a large frame revolver than a petite person. Some semi-auto pistols (and some revolvers) require a fair amount of hand strength to cock or fire. Revolvers tend to be bulkier than pistols but are more reliable. Pistols hold more ammunition and are faster and easier to reload. There’s a lot to consider.

Time to decide.  If you’re still reading this, you’ve more than likely decided to purchase. Time to deal with the really hard part.

If you demand absolute reliability, the revolver is your choice. Revolvers do not suffer feed of jam issues, they simply work every time you pull the trigger. That is until you’ve fired off the five, six, or seven rounds it holds. The bulk isn’t an issue for you and with the right caliber, either is the limited capacity.

Recommendation: Purchase a revolver. And read on.

You need a small, lightweight firearm and you’d prefer higher capacity and ease of reloading. You want to be able to carry your firearm in multiple situations, with a large variety of clothing options or simply prefer an inside-the-waistband holster. You probably should look at pistols.

Recommendation: Purchase a semi-automatic pistol. And read on.

How Many is Too Many?

This is where you can get into serious debate with the gun-haters. Those who would limit or abolish your rights always ask, “why does anyone need one, or more than one?” There are legitimate reasons for owning multiple sidearms, but the number one answer is, because you can.

But why should you. A firearm is a tool. And like other tools, are designed for multiple purposes. If you own one hammer, its usually a general claw hammer that you use for any purpose requiring a hammer. But hammers, like firearms, come in many configurations and are designed for specific tasks. There are general nailing hammers, with straight and curved claws, framing hammers, brick hammers, welding hammers, roofing hammers, ball peen hammers, sledge hammers, tack hammers, dead blow hammers, auto body work hammers, etc. A hammer with a fiberglass handle feels differently than one with a wood handle. Some of us own over a dozen hammers. Some get by with one. But those who want to have the right tool for the job and choices within some categories, will own several. The same is true of handguns.

If you buy your first handgun (a handgun or side arm is a pistol or revolver), and love it from day one, and it fulfills your needs for owning one, you can stop right there. But, as you train (practice firing at a range, etc.) and become more comfortable with a handgun, you might consider a larger caliber or frame. You might decide you want to add one to keep in your car. An upstairs pistol and a basement revolver. The more familiar and comfortable you become with your firearm, the more likely you will want to purchase another one. Seldom, when purchasing multiple firearms, does one add duplicates of previous purchases, more likely it’s to add different firearms to what can become a collection.

So, the answer is, there is no such thing as too many. And anyone who proposes limits to how many firearms an individual may own, is ignorant of too many factors to be taken seriously. Regardless of which “reason” motivates your purchase, the truth is, most of us would fall under multiple categories and if required or desired, can and should consider owning multiple firearms.

Recommendation: Purchase as many as you like. And that’s the bottom line.

So, What About Training?

If you decide to purchase a firearm, then you’ve decided to own something that requires you to become proficient and responsible before putting it in operation, be it in your home or on your person. Just as with an automobile you wouldn’t want to drive on the streets until you’ve practiced in an isolated place and learned to operate it safely. Practice leads to proficiency, confidence, and safety.

Lucky you, there are more opportunities for training available now than ever before (that “bowling alley” of our generation thing said earlier). There is training available at most gun ranges, in group or private settings. There is specialized training for the different roles your firearm will serve. And there is information and services that will inform you of when you should use your firearm and what to expect if you ever must. The truth is, there has never been a better, safer, more informed time to own a firearm. Most gun range employ active-duty and retired law enforcement personnel. These are some of the most highly trained and qualified firearm experts you will ever meet. They are usually eager to pass on their knowledge and there is much to learn from them. Many have faced situations requiring drawing of their weapon and the ability to make judgements to stop an act of violence while keeping public safety at the forefront. These are skills that only come with the finest training available and constant practice. These same people are sometimes the instructors leading the classes. There is little or no excuse for not receiving training in the proper use and care of your firearm. You will most likely be in classes with people who are just like you, first time gun owners who have decided to have the tools and skills needed to protect themselves and their families.

Recommendation: Purchase a firearm. Practice. Practice. Practice.

I hope this has been informative. It’s impossible to address ever situation there is, but, at least in general terms, this hopefully has addressed many.

Requirements for Purchasing a Sidearm

Age Requirement:
Dealers may not sell or deliver a handgun or ammunition for a handgun to any person the dealer has reasonable cause to believe is under age 21. The minimum legal age for rifles and shotguns is 18.
You have to be 21 to purchase a handgun.

Citizenship Requirements:
U.S. citizens, except as noted below, can legally purchase a firearm. However, non-citizen cannot purchase a firearm from a federally licensed firearms dealer unless they have been a resident of their state for 90 days.

It’s clearer to list who can’t.

Who Can’t Buy One?

The following classes of people are ineligible to possess, receive, ship, or transport firearms or ammunition:

• Those convicted of crimes punishable by imprisonment for over one year, except state misdemeanors punishable by two years or less.
• Fugitives from justice.
• Unlawful users of certain depressant, narcotic, or stimulant drugs.
• Those adjudicated as mental defectives or incompetents or those committed to any mental institution.
• Illegal aliens.
• Citizens who have renounced their citizenship.
• Those persons dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces.
• Persons less than 18 years of age for the purchase of a shotgun or rifle.
• Persons less than 21 years of age for the purchase of a firearm that is other than a shotgun or rifle.
• Persons subject to a court order that restrains such persons from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner.
• Persons convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
• Persons under indictment for a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year are ineligible to receive, transport, or ship any firearm or ammunition. Under limited conditions, relief from disability may be obtained from the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, or through a pardon, expungement, restoration of rights, or setting aside of a conviction.

State Laws

State laws regulating firearms are laxer in some states than in others. In some states, there is no permit required, other states require you obtain a permit, and still others make it all but impossible to get a permit and make it difficult to purchase. It is up to you to check on the laws in your state. These are easy to find. The NRA (https://www.nraila.org/gun-laws) has a state-by state reference. Your state attorney general’s office should be able to provide detailed information.

The NRA

The NRA (National Rifle Association) has many programs that provide training and support for citizens who want to take responsibility for their own safety. Consider it. They work to preserve our rights and their membership most likely includes people you already know.

How Can You Get Your Online Purchased Firearm?

Unlike buying from most online stores, purchasing a firearm online does not mean a firearm will be delivered to your home. Firearms can only be shipped between licensed dealers (FFL holders) or their agents. What this means is that the firearm must be shipped to a licensee (of your choice) and you will have to fill out a form 4473 and have a background check run (unless you have a government-issued carry permit). Your identification will be checked and verified and the firearm serial number will be logged in the licensee’s log book. The process is exactly the same whether you buy your gun online, in a retail store or at a gun show, where, contrary to liberal propaganda, you will fill out the 4473 form and have a background check run. Most, if not all, gun ranges are licensees and there are gunsmiths as well. There usually is a transfer fee. (Please note, if you are in the same state where the online merchant is based, you will pay state tax.)