So you’re thinking about buying your first firearm, may I be the first congratulate you on exercising your 2nd amendment rights, you are joining a group of individuals that spans age, race, religion, and political party. People from all walks of life are armed for various reasons and you are about to join that club. This will be a four-part blog where I will be asking you to consider four questions you should be asking yourself before you take the plunge into gun ownership. After each blog post I would suggest that you do your own research and reconnaissance to supplement the basics provided here. |
There are many uses for guns and, in order for you to be properly informed before you even step into a gun shop to discuss guns, you must be clear on why you want to own a gun in the first place. There are three main reasons people have guns:
Home & Personal Protection: Many individuals utilize firearms as a source of protection from intruders and those who would seek to harm them. If this is your reason for owning a firearm then choosing a semi-automatic pistol (such as a Colt 1911) for home protection or a hammerless revolver (such as a Smith & Wesson .38 Special) for personal out-of-sight/concealed carry protection might be your best option. Of course there are hundreds of smaller self-defense firearms on the market and you can find one to fit almost any price point or need. We would suggest that you visit a local gun shop and speak with an expert prior to making a final decision. |
Hunting: If you are ready to begin providing delicious wild game for your family and are looking to make hunting a hobby of enjoyment or necessity you have a seemingly infinite number of rifles and shotguns to chose from. I am about to get as basic as I can, what you want to hunt will determine what type of firearm you use. If you are interested in game birds such as wild turkey, duck, goose, pheasant, etc., then you will want a shotgun, what type of shotgun is personal preference - but what is most important is the gauge/shot of ammunition you choose to best deal with the game you are hunting. If you are interested in large game such as antelope, deer, elk, etc., then you will want to select a rifle. Again, the type of rifle will depend on personal preference and the caliber for the game you want to hunt. Our best advice is to go to your local gun shop, or give us a call, and discuss your desired hunting outcome. |
Fun/Enjoyment: Here the options are wide open! Many individuals like to use semi-automatic rifles or handguns that shoot fast; they like the feel and the excitement of ejecting 20 rounds in a matter of seconds. Others like to use shotguns, throwing clays for skeet shooting or blowing milk jugs and plastic pop bottles to smithereens. Some prefer to use traditional rifles and revolvers for cowboy action shooting and even go so far as to dress up in western garb, give themselves pseudonyms, and pursue mounted shooting. And then there are those, like my husband and I, who just want to shoot every type of firearm they can for the fun and experience of it. Talking to an experienced hobby shooter will be your best bet in learning about the options available. |
There are other reasons people choose to own firearms, some nefarious some benign, but these are the three most common. When thinking about purchasing your first gun you need to be clear on what you want it for, it is possible that one firearm could meet all three of these uses, but knowing specifically your purpose behind the purchase will help you make good choices and help your gun shop give you the best advice.
The most important thing for you to remember is that a firearm is a tool that requires respect and proper training. No matter what type of firearm you choose, or what caliber of ammunition, it should be recognized that there will always need to be something that stops the bullet. Being sure you know where you are shooting and what is on the other side of the barrel is essential to firearms safety. In our next blog we will discuss this further by looking at Question #2: What steps must you take to become properly trained and proficient in the use of your new firearm? Stay tuned!
When participating in any type of shooting sports always remember the acronym T.A.S.K.:
T: Training
A: Attention to your Surroundings
S: Safety First
K: Knowing your Target