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Believe it or not, I did not grow up in a gun-owning household. I actually bought my first gun about a year before my dad did. Being a stereotypical white kid from the suburbs, I never really questioned why there wasn’t a firearm in our house, and I didn’t start having the desire to own one until my junior year of college. Once I graduated and bought a place of my own inside the city, I decided it was time to buy a firearm. When I bought my first gun, a .45 caliber handgun, it was a real learning experience for me. As a firm believer in Second Amendment rights, I feel the right thing to do is to help any law-abiding citizen who wants to own a gun know what due diligence to do before becoming a responsible gun owner.
Know The Law
The problem with most gun laws is that they can get a totally innocent person in big trouble without a real crime ever actually happening, and ignorance is not going to be an acceptable excuse. In fact, some laws affect you before you even leave your home. It’s important to know the general federal gun laws, but the gun laws that will have the most direct effect on you are your local gun laws (local being state, county, and city). They usually mirror the federal laws, but they also dictate any other laws you must follow to own and carry a firearm where you live and travel. You must know these laws before buying a gun.
I’m lucky enough to live in what is now the most gun-friendly state in America: the great state of Georgia. House Bill 60 took effect July 1, 2014, expanding where a carry license holder can carry to any private property whose owner permits it, any parish that allows it, state and local government buildings, and even the airport up to the security checkpoints. There is still no carry allowed in federal government buildings or college campuses. This law is an example of the kinds of things you need to know. Luckily for the more gun-friendly states, these laws are usually pretty simple, but I understand that gun laws in certain states such as, say, New Jersey, are horribly complicated and confusing. Just ask Brian Aitken. That being said, the following are the most important things you need to know from a legal standpoint before purchasing a firearm.
- Do I need a permit to own it?
- Do I need to register it with my state?
- Is there a waiting period between purchase and pickup?
- Do I need a permit to carry it on my person?
- How do I obtain a firearm permit (if needed)?
- What do I need to do in order to conceal carry or open carry? (Many states have separate laws for each.)
- What other states accept my state’s carry license?
- Where can I possess my firearm with and without a permit?
- Can I keep it loaded?
- What are my state’s self defense laws?
As you can see, a lot of trouble can come from simply where your firearm is located: your home, your car, on your person, or elsewhere. This brings up dealing with cops. My rule of thumb is that if an officer NEEDS your permission to do something, say no. Their job is to find lawbreakers, not law-abiding citizens. If they felt they had legal recourse to search you, check your weapons’ serial numbers, or anything else, they wouldn’t ask permission. I over-cooperated once when I was a naïve, new gun owner and allowed an officer to check the serial number of my handgun, even though he had no reason to suspect me of any wrongdoing. It turned a five-minute traffic stop into a 25-minute traffic stop. Be cooperative with police, but also know your rights within your state.
Know Gun Safety
The number one rule when handling any gun: always treat the gun as if it was loaded, even if it’s empty. If it has a thumb safety, keep the safety on until you need to fire the weapon. Do not touch the trigger unless you are going to fire the weapon. Point the firearm downward toward the ground at all times unless you plan to fire on a target. Never look down the barrel unless the firearm is completely disassembled. Make all this a habit. I’ve heard people say that “sometimes guns just go off.” That’s not likely. Most accidents happen due to carelessness and operator error.
Before carrying and firing your gun, I recommend either taking professional classes or being trained by someone who has been trained professionally. Learn how to properly hold the gun, stand, aim, and so on. There’s no point in owning a gun if you have no idea how to use it.
Be Aware Of People Around You
In other words, don’t be a complete asshat. Understand that even if you are following every law in the book, the people around you may be uncomfortable knowing you are carrying a firearm. I prefer conceal carry to open carry for this reason. You’ll still have your firearm available without scaring anyone. If you must open carry, look professional, have a nice holster, and don’t fidget with your firearm.
Pick The Right Gun
Finally, pick the right firearm for yourself. If you’re on a relatively tight budget, research what firearms are most reliable and best suited to you. In my experience, Glocks and Springfield XD handguns are extremely reliable while still being cost effective, but there may be another firearm more suited for you. I prefer the XD because it doesn’t jam and it also has a grip safety, a trigger safety, and a drop safety (to prevent discharge if you ever drop it). Also, make sure you pick the right caliber. I love .45 because of the stopping power, but if you are a 110-pound girl, the recoil of a .45 may be too much for you.
Now that you’re out of college and living on your own, take the time to consider a firearm to defend your home. Just do your research and be a responsible, law-abiding gun owner, because there are a lot of people just waiting for you to fuck it up.
Respond
@5OClockShadow_
My mom bought everyone in our family a gun for Christmas after Obama was elected.
I have an XD too (.9mm)
As someone who grew up with guns and owns more than 20, it is shocking that someone’s first gun would be a hire powered hand gun.
Everyone should start with a .22 rifle, can’t go wrong with a Ruger 10/22.
Grew up with a .22 and my second firearm was a .30-06. I think the only thing that really matters is age when you start with firearms. If below the age of 10 I don’t think you should be using anything more powerful than a .22, unless you’re in a deer blind with your dad. If you haven’t ever shot a firearm before I understand why someone is going to want to pop off a few rounds on an AR-15 compared to a .22.
higher*
Finest .22 made.
My uncle is a retired Marine and trained me with a .45 and AK-47 before I bought my first gun.
I guess that explains your fascination with the people killing variety of calibers.
I rarely shoot my .45 or AK-47 because that’s all they are practical for. I’m always using my hunting calibers and .22.
Fascination? I live and work in the city. At this point in time self defense calibers are more practical for me than hunting calibers. You know, until General Zaroff legalizes the hunting of humans in the city.
Self defense calibers? Hunting calibers? People killing calibers? Did I miss something on the calendar about Monday being use lots of meaningless terms day?
Yes, the fact that it’s Monday.
One thing I disagree with here, and I know not everyone will agree, is that registering your firearm is a great idea. My dad has been a Texas Ranger and a U.S. Marshall so I’ve grown up in a very pro-firearm household. Being around him and his many firearms one thing I know is that none of his personal guns are registered. Other than the handgun he was issued through work, the others are off the books. He actually refuses to do business with any dealer who requires registration in the state. I don’t know about other states, but it’s perfectly legal to not have your weapon registered in Texas. His reasoning for this is somewhat extreme (My parents are hardcore Tea-Party members, where I am conservative but not to the extreme that they are) because he legitimately believes that with school shootings happening every week that eventually guns will be taken away from the common man by the government. Now, I think it is somewhat farfetched to believe that ALL guns could be taken away, but I do understand his thought process in being safe rather than sorry when it comes to registering your weapon.
I misread your comment. You’re right. If your state doesn’t require registration, don’t do it. We don’t have to in Georgia, either.
There is no benefit to law abiding gun owners registering a firearm with the government. In fact, only bad things can happen when those records are made public. http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/12/26/outrage-after-new-york-paper-posts-map-of-gun-owners-names-and-addresses/
That is ridiculous.
Cant go wrong with a .380 Ruger LCP, that pistol is an extension of my body. If you’re a good shot caliber shouldn’t be an issue.
Honestly, that pistol sucks. Zero sights and everyone knows the .380 is a shit round.
It was a great idea until I was in a bank that was robbed and was immediately outgunned and wishing I had some sights. I sold it the next day and bought my shield. I’m still thanking god it was at least small enough not to be noticed by the asshat that put a gun to my head. You never know where that pistol is going to throw a round. Only my opinion, of course.
The .380 and LCP are perfectly capable for certain situations (close range, like within a few yards), and you’re not gonna find anything more concealable. That said, take it to the range and find out how accurate you can be from what distance. I did that, and came to a similar conclusion as BBBBQ. Bought the Shield in 9mm. I was willing to sacrifice a bit of concealability for a considerable improvement in accuracy, distance, and stopping power. That said, go with the largest gun you feel comfortable concealing/carrying and shooting.
I recommend the S&W M&P Shield. You can get it in the 40 or nine. I keep a glock in my car but the shield comes in with me anywhere I go. The Versacarry holsters are great for inside the waistband concealment.
M&P Shield is a great gun. I have the 9mm and love it for everyday carry.
9 mm is a good caliber as well for the first few guns. And it is wise to have hand guns that all use the same caliber bullet so you don’t ever get them mixed up or run out of a certain caliber.
Love my Shield! Close race for me between that and the XD-s. Both were great. Can’t go wrong with a Glock either, just a little too boxy and vanilla for me.
With shotguns, I don’t understand why people use buckshot or home defense rounds. Use birdshot. Buckshot will tear through the intruder…and everything else in your house…
Birdshot is not an ideal home defense round. Like to the point where you shouldn’t use it.
But stopping power… Slugs not hugs
My Glock 27 is not the most enjoyable thing to shoot, but since I work downtown, I can keep it in my purse or glove box (safely, with a custom-fit trigger guard), and that’s what matters. If someone tries to attack me from close range (as you’d assume would be the situation), I know it will put sizable holes in said attacker. That is its purpose — to save my life and to be portable, although I haven’t been put in the situation (and I hope to God that I never will). So, does it shoot like dogshit? Kinda yeah, although I still shot 20 for 20 with it for my CCDW, though that is by no means a difficult accomplishment. Does it serve the purpose that I want it to? Also yes.
The point of owning a gun for self-defense is not necessarily to enjoy shooting it.
Missed the point. The article says “first gun purchase” and then delves into buying a CC pistol of a large caliber. I have nothing against the G27, and I actually have a G26, but would never recommend either to someone with little to no experience as a first gun. If someone can’t shoot a .22 effectively who in their right mind thinks that someone should have bought and carried something like a G27 right off the bat? Before owning a gun as a self-defense tool, learn how to shoot one effectively and operate one safely first. A .22 is the best platform for learning as well as effective for defending yourself if needed. I’ve put well into the hundreds of thousands of rounds down range and have a wide selection of pistols to choose from for keeping on my person or in my vehicle and have no problem trusting in one of my .22 semiautos.
Get a wood finished over-under shotgun. That way you can fuck up burglars with class.
I am deathly afraid of people who CCW their first handgun and buying a compact as your first weapon is a surefire way to become a terrible shot.
Both the XD and Glock shoot like dogshit. Best way to learn is on a weapon with minimal recoil and the cleanest trigger break and reset possible. Ruger MKII, S&W Model 41, Browning Buckmark, S&W Model 617 — all in .22 and have near perfect balance — are excellent first pistols because they reveal weaknesses of the shooter. Even better to learn on a rifle but pistol ranges are more ubiquitous. Developing trigger control, proper form, and the 3 P’s (practice practice practice) yield quality shots downrange.
FWIW, I carry a competition grade 1911 (4.26″ bbl Commander size) chambered in 9mm that will shoot rings around any Glock or SD. While shot placement is king when it comes to side arms, I’m running +P+ 9mm HPs that have more energy out of a 4in barrel than just about every .45 load out there. It’s the balance, trigger, and slide mass relative to total mass of the 1911 that allow for far superior shot placement with hotter loads than that of poly pistols.
I own an XD and it shoots true. Just like golf clubs, every body has their own preference. Shoot it before you buy it.
Yeah…. Your golf analogy has nothing to do with learning how to shoot. My point was more akin to a person that starts out racing dirt track or spec miata has established fundamentals to handle a 500HP race car around a track.
I usually disagree with everything you say, however on this you are right. It’s the equivalent of putting a person learning to drive, and has absolutely no experience, behind the wheel of a V8. It’s just dumb.
There are a lot of depressed, drunk people on here who probably shouldn’t have a gun around when they’re feeling depressed and drunk.
You could say the same about a car.