I'm going to buy my first gun. Where do I start???

I'm going to buy my first gun.

Where do I start???

Is there some kind of pamphlet or other source that explains the gun laws???

 

As I'm sure you know, gun laws vary from state to state.

Buying your first firearm is pretty much like buying anything else. What you buy depends on what you intend to do with it.

Do you intend to take up skeet shooting, hunting, target practice or do you simply want something simple & generic for personal protection?

There are plenty of well informed people here who can better advise you after you clarify your purpose for buying a gun.

Although it's not generally required, I would advise you to learn the very basics of gun safety before you load up and start shooting anything.

Enjoy, good luck and please remember to assume that any gun is already loaded. Please never point a gun at anyone or anything you don't want to shoot.

 

My purpose is personal protection.

I have spinal cord injuries and can't really defend myself, physically.

 

As others have said go to your local FFL dealer and tell them what you are looking for. If you have little to nonfamikiartybornexperience with firearms I would recommend taking some basic safety courses and progress from there to more advanced shooting classes.

 

Your local gun store should be able to answer all your questions along with give you assistance in determining what kind and which gun to purchase. Here in Arizona when I carry I like concealment. Because of that I bought one of the smallest .380 cal. automatic pistols made, a Ruger LCP .380. The gun group is a lot like the political group. No matter what you decide there's the element that wants to tell you how stupid you are in your choice and there will be the group that thinks you did just right. Decide for your self.

 

There are many sources of information. There are a lot of good videos on gun safety and various opinions for beginners on You Tube; Some are better than others. I’d say the same for advice you might get at a local FFL dealer. So, the more you research and the more people you talk with the better equipped you will become in understanding important considerations and who is credible and who blows smoke.
The NRA site is a good starting point for information and training resources.
https://firearmtraining.nra.org/student-courses/
Then, too, find a shop/range that provides beginner training (lots do) and long before considering a particular gun, get training where you can rent guns.
I have done and still do training for people and have taught young adults through to an 80 year old 5’2” woman and have done classes for people with various physical constraints.
But, I always start folks at the same point; learning gun safety... a part of the training that never stops. Lots videos available on that topic.

 

When you do go shopping take everything that the salesman say with a grain of salt. And go to multiple places and look at and handle as many guns as you can. What works for someone else might not work for you. The best pistol for you is the pistol that fits you hand the best and the one you like the most. Every dealer has a brand that he likes and thinks is the best, but if it does not point comfortably and shot for you, it is not the pistol for you. One suggestion I have if you buy a pistol with an exposed hammer, I would recommend that it has a decocker.

 

Find a gun store with a gun range. Ask to shoot a .357 magnum loaded with .38 special. If you plan to get your concealed/carry permit, go with a smaller frame, like an SP101 with a hogue grip (factory sp101 grip is terrible, but the grip is super easy to swap, like one screw iirc).

If You dont plan to carry concealed, Taurus makes an 8 shot .357 magnum that I've always thought would be ideal for home defense and range shooting.

Shoot some others as well!

But the .357 magnum frame is going to be your best mix of easy-handling (loaded with .38s) stopping power (loaded with .357mags) and simplicity/reliability (as are most revolvers). You can even hunt with them to a limited extent in some states (though it might not be the best idea...).

This is my 'first gun' recommendation to anyone/everyone.

 

Step 1 make sure you are not a felon and you are capable of being a legal gun owner in your locality

Step 2 decide what type of gun fits your needs ( why are you buying a gun)

Step 3 get some basic saftey training, that is to say familiarize yourself with the basics. I am sure they are listed in 1000 places online

Step 4. Go to a few gun stores, not pawn shops for now, actual gun stores and explain to them what you are trying to accomplish.

Step 5. Decide on the firearm you want and buy it from one of the gun stores that helped you earlier.

Step 6 get a little training and spend time at the range to accomplish your goals.

 

What physical actions are capable of being performed on the part of yourself? Knowing such will better determine whether focus should be placed on a double-action revolver, or a semi-automatic handgun.

 

Have you ever shot a hand gun before?
Step 1, Find a indoor gun range that sells hand guns.
Step 2, Go to a indoor gun range, talk to them, rent and shoot a few different hand guns, do this a few times.

Your personal choices will be self evident..

Good luck, have fun.

 

1st step:
What do you want it for?

 

See post number four, personal protection in response to spinal cord injuries that makes other means of physical defense impossible.

 

Ahhh.. Thanks!

 

First step is probably to take a gun safety course, or find a friend to teach you the basics.

 

Whats the purpose and where will it be used?

NM, found it.

Don't know if we're allowed to link to amazon but you want this book:

2019 Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States

 

Get yourself a 9 mm Gatling Gun!

 

Thanks Everyone

I've decided the idea of owning a gun freaks me out more than the idea of not being able to defend myself

 

Curious. Why?

 

Where do you start shooting people?

 

Then get pepper spray or some other means of self defense. You still might want to take a gun safety course. It might allay some of your fears. Knowledge is power.

 

If you are scared to own a gun you made the right call in not getting one.