Opening Shots [First-time handgun buyer shares her experience]

CCI ^ | 5 August 2021 | Krissie Mason

[COBOL2Java]

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My first experience with a handgun was firing my dad’s Smith & Wesson 45 ACP M1917 U.S. Army service revolver. I was a young girl in a sporting family growing up on a hobby farm in central Minnesota. Even so, when I decided to purchase my first handgun I was intimidated. Not only can the perceived legal process be daunting, so can winnowing through the colossal assortment of styles and calibers to find the perfect fit.

As a child of the 1960s and 1970s, I grew up watching shows like “Bonanza,” “Gunsmoke,” and “The Wild, Wild, West,” perched on the arm of my grandfather’s chair as smoke swirled round our heads from his Prince Albert stuffed meerschaum pipe. So, this past year when I decided to purchase my first handgun, I knew I wanted a single-action revolver. After buying one, a Ruger Single Six Convertible, I quickly bought another, a Ruger Bearcat—both 22 caliber rimfire.

As a first-time buyer, I followed a few steps that helped demystify the process and the purchases.

One: Connect With The Pros

First and foremost, I connected with a local full-service gun shop and range, and with my local police department for a list of state requirements. Those two resources alone made the process less intimidating and helped me through my state’s paperwork.

Two: Define Your Need

The first question to ask is, “What’s my intended purpose for the firearm?” Are you looking for self-defense? Concealed carry? Plinking? There are many options out there in terms of manufacturers, styles, actions and more, so zeroing in on intended use is important. In my case, I own remote property and wanted a Western-style revolver for plinking and varmints, so I had already drawn a bead.

Three: Find Your Fit

Do some online homework. Research styles and manufacturers and connect with your local gun shop to find the right fit. Handle some firearms to see how they feel in your hand. I have small hands, so while I love my Ruger Single Six Convertible, the Bearcat fits me perfectly. Being able to shoot a firearm of the same make and model in advance of purchasing is helpful, too, but not essential. While you’re at it, try a couple different guns and calibers if possible.

Four: Listen To Opinions

If you can temper the following advice by remembering that everyone has an opinion, ask family and friends about their own choices. What did they buy? Which gun shop did they use? Why did they choose a particular gun? Along the way, you’ll likely encounter brand loyalists or design devotees, and die-hards who will argue for their favorite firearm above all others. Ultimately, the best handgun is the one you are most comfortable handling and firing. Period.

Five: Practice

Getting comfortable with your new firearm is important. Visit an indoor or outdoor range and practice loading and discharging your gun. Note how much pressure is needed on the trigger. Commit yourself to learning exactly how the hammer cocks and cylinder spins. The more you do it, the more at ease you’ll feel.

[riverrunner]

After 50+ years, I had to replace a scope on my old 30-30 and it still shoots very flat

Flat compared to what.

[taxcontrol]

I would add - get to a firearm safety class.

[taxcontrol]

There might be an option for you with a 7mm - 08. It is a 7 mm round necked down to fit in the 308 case. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7mm-08_Remington for more details.

I find it has the high velocity of the 30-06 but is light on recoil.

[COBOL2Java]

It appears the author doesn’t live in a free state and was required to involve the local constabulary in what should be a normal exchange of business. If the chosen firearms outlet could not provide the information necessary for her to feel comfortable with the process, she needed to move on to another establishment. Since it seems there are special state requirements, the gun shop deals with those on every sale and should have been able to guide her accordingly without a special inquiry at the cop shop by her. JMO - I guess her “inner Karen” could not be satisfied without seeking further approval.

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Summary of Minnesota Gun Laws

Minnesota gun laws operate on a shall-issue policy. Permits are issued at the local level by the Sheriff’s office in the applicant’s county of residence.

There is no permit, background check or firearm registration required when buying a handgun from a private individual.

Open carry is legal with a Minnesota permit to carry or a permit/license from a state that Minnesota honors. There is no stipulation in the law regarding whether that weapon must be concealed. A permit to carry constitutes a permit to purchase.

Concealed carry is legal with a Minnesota Permit to Carry a Pistol (PCP) or a permit from a state Minnesota honors. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and complete a firearms training course. Resident and non-resident permits are available. Non-residents can apply at any sheriff’s office. Permits are not required for transporting a firearm, keeping it at home or keeping it in a place of business. In terms of reciprocity, Minnesota will honor permits from states with similar requirements.

Self-Defense

In terms of self-defense, Minnesota law imposes a duty to retreat, which means that if a person feels threatened, he or she may only use deadly force as a last resort. Although Minnesota doesn’t have a Castle Doctrine law per se, it does recognize the principles of the doctrine because Minnesota law allows a person to use deadly force if the individual reasonably believes that the person or another person is at risk of great bodily harm or death or to prevent a felony from occurring in the person’s home.

Authorized Use of Force

Reasonable force may be used when the following circumstances exist or the actor reasonably believes them to exist, in part:

• When used by any person in resisting or aiding another to resist an offense against the person;
• When used by any person in lawful possession of real or personal property, in resisting a trespass upon or other unlawful interference with such property;
• When used by a parent, guardian, teacher or other lawful custodian of a child or pupil, in the exercise of lawful authority, to restrain or correct such child or pupil;
• When used by a school employee or school bus driver, in the exercise of lawful authority, to restrain a child or pupil, or to prevent bodily harm or death to another; or
• When used by a common carrier in expelling a passenger who refuses to obey a lawful requirement for the conduct of passengers and reasonable care is exercised with regard to the passenger’s personal safety.

Justifiable Taking of Life

The intentional taking of the life of another is only legal if necessary in resisting or preventing an offense which the actor reasonably believes exposes the actor or another to great bodily harm or death or preventing the commission of a felony in the actor’s place of abode.

[Minn. Stat. §§ 609.06 & 609.065]

[T-Bird45]

You’re assuming she still lives in the state where she grew up. I didn’t pick up any reference in the article to her current residence.

Just another note, unconnected to your reply...OMG - she had some .22WMR for the photos...I thought that was as scarce as hen’s teeth. Oh...good on her for her firearm selection.

[glimmerman70]

Ruger makes a great gun. Love my little ruger 10/22 riffle.

[glimmerman70]

That’s the way I learned. Plinking with a .22. Move up to 20 gauge.

[glimmerman70]

Yeah the 25’s are cool little guns but so small it’s scary. Sounds like you saved your friends life. Good for you. Could have ended up way bad.

[sauropod]

Bump

[COBOL2Java]

You’re assuming she still lives in the state where she grew up. I didn’t pick up any reference in the article to her current residence.

Had you done a little research on google or duckduckgo, you would have learned that she's an outdoorswoman living in Minnesota. But that's OK.

[Mariner]

I like the .22 mag in a revolver.

But DA.

And nine shots.

[Scrambler Bob]

She should be able to find and pick up all those 9mm brass real easy.

[jmacusa]

What
is your need for owning a firearm?

That seems like a stupid question.