Considering your first firearm? Read this first!

Shopping for a firearm can be a little overwhelming, especially when you have never shot or purchased a gun before. I would like to share a little bit of my experience and my recommendations to help you save time and money! Let's get started at narrowing down your first firearm.

First, let's start with the basics. Why are you purchasing? Where do you plan to store it? Do you or someone you live with have children under 18? Does the state you live in support the constitution and is it a "stand you ground" state. When you are shopping for a gun, it is imperative to consider these things. There are more specific; less mundane details to consider as well, which we will cover after these main topics.

Why are you looking to purchase a gun? Let's stop and remember that if you live in the great country of the United States, then you have the right to buy and own a gun. However, over time, many states have fought against those rights due to gun violence and have simply complicated the entire process and experience of owning a gun. I am speaking from NC where we can open and conceal carry. We are a stand your ground state and with that said, I can purchase and own a gun with not much to it. Some other states will require classes and other regulations before you can make your first purchase. You will need to check with your state laws to make sure you are in compliance. Owning a gun is a right and not a privilege. Being that, it is also a hefty responsibility that every owner must carry along with their firearm. So now the why doesn't have to be so deep, simply put, home-defense and self-preservation. I recommend reading the word of God for guidance on handling enemies, but in short, your why should not include revenge, or any kind of retribution. Firearms should be used in self-defense scenarios, anything else is sure to be tried in the court of law.

Where do you plan to store the firearm? Storing your gun is a priority in ownership. Buying a safe with a lock and key is usually the safest route. There are much more sophisticated and electronic safes but the best ones only use keys in my personal opinion. Regardless, keeping your firearm out of the reach of children and unauthorized guests is extremely important. You are responsible for every bullet that exits the barrel of your gun. You only want to hit your intended targets and absolutely nothing else. Any case of mishandling a firearm can result in the loss of the firearm and possible fed time depending on the severity of the case. Before purchasing a gun, be sure to budget the safe in too.

Carrying a gun can be fun for some and a chore for others. While it's not as always seamless as some movies or television shows make it seem, carrying your gun is something you will adapt to. Many states like NC, FL, and TX are open carry states, meaning you can carry your firearm outside of your waist (or where ever) so long as it is holstered. Conceal carry is a whole other story however. With long standing battles and cases over the last few decades, conceal carry has definitely been a major topic among politics, activists and owners alike. Some states require a Conceal Carry Permit which usually requires a class. While open carry is simply what it is, it is simply just not safe. We are not in the wild wild west days where there was a revolver on every hip. Concealing your firearm is the "safe thing" to do in all scenarios because you don't want everyone to know what you've got. Open carry is like open house except they aren't buying a house, eyes are on the gun on your hip and the intrusive thoughts of a fiend or a thief will certainly tempt someone into grabbing your gun and possibly use it on you. Be considerate at all times when carrying.

Now let's get into the fun part of shopping for your first firearm. When you get to the gun store (also known as an FFL) you will hopefully be greeted by an employee who should be there to help with your buying process. You will let them know (because they will ask) why you are looking to purchase a gun. Using what I said, but in plainer simpler words, "For home-defense and self-preservation." From there you would probably be looking at handguns and shotguns for the home-defense. We can discuss why those versions in another article. You will see a wide variety of guns, ammo and accessories. It is recommended that you have a pump action shot gun using 00 Buckshot for home defense and a 9mm pistol for both home-defense and conceal carry. Although these certainly vary from person to person, this a good general rule of thumb to stick by.

When thinking about brands when it comes to pistols, you are sure to hear about Glock in some way shape or form. They are without a doubt the most popular gun brand in the world. They have the greatest aftermarket ecommerce for accessories and customizations. To top it off, they are globally understood as the most reliable and practical gun to own. Mainly because of their polymer3 frames (google Gaston Glock) and the safest trigger without a physical exterior safety ever built in a striker fired pistol. So when it comes to recommended brands, Glock is going to be at the top of the list. Smith & Wesson comes in right under Glock if not before. They have been around a lot longer than Glock and make superior weaponry, from pistols to ARs. Reliability is similar to a Glock according to many owners. Other brands I personally recommend are Canik, Beretta and Springfield Armory. These 5 mentioned are brands I personally prefer due experience and consistency of satisfaction from other owners. These manufacturers have models of almost every size to fit your individual needs. They are all budget-friendly and have good rapport with their customers. As far as shotguns are concerned, I highly recommend Mossberg; also with a large variety of models for your home-defense scenarios.

Buying a firearm is a subjective, but you should consider all of these things before making your first purchase. Protecting your home, yourself or others is an obligation we all hold in our hearts and minds. I hope this little article will help guide you and make your buying experience easy.

~Anthony G. aka King Cxshmere