Good advice, WM! SirKit’s been thinking about that for a bit; even before Deval Patrick was elected Gov. here. We haven’t heard of any problems here yet, but then we haven’t gone looking for firearms yet, either. I do know that the local gun club is being sued for allowing folks to come in and shoot at their range, without having a license. In fact, we were going to stop in there sometime, until we found that out. We don’t own any weapons yet, and we wanted to be able to try before we bought. I think we may have to travel up to NH to do that, but even that state is becoming a Nanny State, likely because of all the MA folks who moved up there to avoid income taxes here.
Good luck !
When I am asked too help folks get started with firearms I look at their location, their dwelling, their family and local laws etc ........
A new family will have children of course so I recommend that the Mom and Dad seriously consider a simple snub nose revolver that has had the magna trigger modification. That way if everything went wrong and the firearm was obtained by a young child they couldn’t use it . The triggers are locked unless the user is wearing a ring that has a magnet in it that unlocks the gun. The magnets can be put into a ring you already wear such as wedding rings etc so it is a natural thing and easy too use. A snub 357 or a 3 inch Model 65 / 13 can shoot inexpensive 38 special ammo or the 357 magnum ammo depending on the users skills and abilities . That suggestion would be for a new family / new firearm owners . Very easy handguns too operate and maintain but as with all new shooters GET TRAINING and join such a club that lets you get regular practice !
Too many folks will say tactical this or that , get an semi auto handgun and lost of spare mags yet a NEW owner or shooter needs too take baby steps with a viable self defense caliber first IMO and experience . As well as the training I mentioned.
I have no small kids living in the house these days yet I really like the magna-trigger mod as it makes the weapon useless if it is taken from me or picked up by an intruder if it wasn’t in my possession for some odd reason ! I gave em too my girls, my sister, my aunts and elderly Mom for just that reason. Made em all go through the CHL / CCW licensing process and I drag em all too the range once a month too shoot a box or two of ammo from their own firearms and then a family dinner ! They love it and enjoy the day and above all else are confident in their ability too use the tools as intended safely , every day ..........
Once that level is reached a shotgun would be next on the list of a small families self defense tools . Remington and Mossberg etc make a great pump shotgun in 12 or 20 gauge and there is as well the small double barrel shotguns that are very easy for even the smallest of men or women too use in 20 or 12 gauge .
I would hate too try and invade a home where I knew that Mom and Dad were armed with 2 handguns and a shotgun or two.........very minimal and basic self defense tools IMO.
As stated above ........Good Luck !
Stay safe !
Morning SuziQ, Pray tell, what is this ~ license ~ of which you speak? The Gun Club? The Shootists?