These days, many people are choosing to purchase handguns as a means of personal protection. If you're thinking about buying your first handgun, however, there are some things you need to know in order to become a responsible, safe, and legal gun owner.
Research Your State's Laws
Understand that there are few Federal laws on gun ownership because, for the most part, the individual states create their own handgun laws in the United States. This means that you'll need to take some time to research the specific laws in your state so you know what applies to you. If you plan on traveling with your gun at any time, you'll also need to research the laws of all states you'll be traveling through to ensure that you abide with each state's individual laws.
Consider a Gun Safety Course
If you don't have experience in handling or shooting a gun, it's a good idea to take a basic gun safety course. In some states, this may even be required before you can obtain a gun permit. These courses are offered at local shooting ranges and even some hobby stores, and will walk you through the basics of handling your gun responsibly and safely. Depending on the course you take, you may learn how to properly load, unload, shoot, clean, and even store your gun. If you're interested in a concealed weapon permit, separate courses are also available for these.
Decide on the Right Gun
You have plenty of options when it comes to buying a handgun, but two of the most common you'll want to decide between are the pistol and the revolver. A pistol will have a magazine that holds multiple rounds (usually anywhere from 12-20, depending on the gun), whereas a revolver requires rounds to be loaded individually. Revolvers are easier to load for beginners, but they also only shoot on average 5-6 rounds before they need to be reloaded.
Invest in a Gun Safe
When you buy your handgun, make sure you also purchase a quality gun safe where you can safely store your gun when not in use. Biometric gun safes are a great option because they will provide you quick and easy access to your weapon with just a fingerprint. However, combination lock and lock-and-key options are also available, so be sure to do your research and find the safe that works best for your needs.
Contact a company, like Wilcox Bait & Tackle, for more help.
