How to Buy a Gun

Every Thought Captive ^ | 2002 | A.K. Fortyseven

[condi2008]

In order to buy a gun one must first be persuaded that gun ownership is both reasonable and responsible. Let us then first establish that Matthew 5:38,39 does not mean that, if someone breaks into your home intending to harm your family, you must submissively point the way to your children's playroom as you sheath the criminal's knife with your belly. Jesus here explains to us that God allows no room for personal vengeance. Leave that to the Lord and the temporal responsibility for punishing evil doers to the civil magistrate (Romans 13:4).

God immutable says, "If the thief is caught while breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there will be no bloodguiltiness on his account. But if the sun has risen on him, there will be bloodguiltiness on his account. He shall surely make restitution; if he owns nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft" (Exodus 22:2,3). In other words if you, unable to discern his intentions, kill a night-time home invader, you bear no guilt before God for his death.

Even if you are with me thus far, you may still be asking, "But why a gun?" In case you haven't noticed, not only do we have military foes abroad but there are plenty of fiends domestic: thugs across town, thieves down the road, and murderers at the rest area by the interstate (and possibly a terrorist cell downstate). If one is to defend himself and his family against the black hats, it is best to have the most practical and efficient means for doing so at your disposal. For an Army Ranger that might be a grenade launcher. For an individual in Jesus' day it was a sword. Since the "weapons of our warfare are not carnal" (II Corinthians 10:4), why else would Christ have commanded His disciples to barter their cloaks for swords (Luke 22:36) if not for self-defense? For us civilians, the most practical and efficient means is a personal firearm.

By the way, if you insist on statistical evidence for the benefits of gun ownership, I encourage you to find a copy of Dr. John Lott's book More Guns, Less Crime or any number of articles by him available on the internet. The gun-control crowd has certainly tried to discredit his findings, but the best they have been able to offer is "if it really is the case that the results aren't good then he's really peddling a false message."

Let us consider how to go about purchasing a firearm. First decide what you need. Looking for something suited to home defense? A 12-gauge shotgun with a short barrel will do nicely. A shotgun is preferable because if it is aimed in the general direction of the criminal you will hit your target. Actually just racking a pump-action shotgun might be enough to scare him away. Mossberg and Remington offer shotguns designed specifically for home defense (the HS 410 and the 870 Home Defense models respectively) as do other manufacturers.

Handguns are a little more particular (as far as the need to aim carefully goes), but if you intend to keep your firearm with you, let's face it, the greeter at Stuff Mart might be a wee bit intimidated if you walk in toting a 12-gauge. There are many options available to you so I am just going to offer some general guidance. Handguns are available as revolvers and semi-automatics. I prefer a semi-automatic simply because in my humble, unprofessional opinion they are marginally safer. I say marginally only because I do not consider firearms unsafe when handled, maintained, and stored properly. Frankly, the tiller in my shed causes me more concern than my pistol does.

Ladies might consider a .38-caliber revolver (such as the fairly compact Smith & Wesson model 60 or its cousin the Lady Smith) or 9mm semi-automatic. As for the gentlemen, the aforementioned will do, but I encourage you to think about something with more stopping power such as a .40- or .45-caliber semi-automatic. Glocks are nice if you have no qualms about the safety being part of the trigger mechanism. My pistol, however, has a safety that decocks the hammer, disengages the trigger, and blocks the firing pin. Having children around, those are features that I appreciate. Those on a tight budget might consider various Ruger models. If you have more cash to spend, take a look at Beretta, H&K, SIG Arms, and Walther models to name a few. There are also the ever-popular Colt 1911 and Browning Hi-Power.

Once you have decided between a shotgun and a handgun (not that you can't have both), it is time to go shopping. Visit a gun shop and handle as many different guns as you can. Take note of which ones feel most comfortable in your hands and which ones have easily disengaged safeties and engaged slides and magazines. Gun shows are wonderful places to see and handle lots of guns at one time. Whether you are at a shop or a show, however, do not buy anything there (unless you buy from a private individual at the show). Better to buy from a friend or neighbor, than to have to go through the background-check rigmarole and risk losing your weapon should Uncle Sam come asking for it. Also, if you know a gun enthusiast, ask if he or she will take you out shooting so you can get a better feel for a few different guns before you buy.

My final suggestions are 1) familiarize yourself with state and federal laws governing the bearing of arms and their use in self-defense. Constitutional guarantee notwithstanding, laws vary considerably from state to state. The National Rifle Association is a good source for such information. 2) Don't obtain a concealed-carry permit. I am not encouraging you to break the law; I am saying there are legal ways to at least transport firearms (dependent upon your state of residence). Look up the Firearm Owner's Protection Act (18 USC §926A). 3) Practice as often as possible once you obtain the gun. The best gun available will not be of much benefit if you aren't prepared to use it in the tension-filled moments of an assault.

[condi2008]

We are looking into "Home Protection" and came across this in our research. We expect that there are some current opinions amongst the FReepers that could assist us in our decision, as well.

[Puppage]

Don't obtain a concealed-carry permit

Here in CT you MUST have a CCW in order to purchase a handgun. There are no exceptions here. Long guns, i.e. shot gun, rifle, can be purchased w/o a CCW however, there's a 2 week waiting period.Most ant-gun people I know say that the Police will come to their aid, however these very same people have fire extinquishers in their home....hmmm, shouldn't they just call the Fire Dept. to come to their aid then?

[RogueIsland]

Don't obtain a concealed-carry permit.

The article isn't arriving at this suggestion out of some deep-seated Constitutional conviction, so I don't know where this is coming from. Why deny yourself the opportunity to legally carry for personal defense unless you are trying to make a Constitutional point? Seems kind of silly. Unless you are the ultimate stealth gun owner, you're probably on several "lists" already, so it can't be concern over "registration".

[from occupied ga]

Are you considering buying a firearm for the first time? Primarily for defense? Not sure what your goal is from your post, but keep in mind several things.

1. The most single critical factor in a defensive firearm is reliability. It should fire every time the trigger is pulled and conversely it should never fire unless the trigger is pulled no matter what. Some guns will fire when they're dropped just right.
2. A close second is usability. It should not be too complicated with multiple safeties, selectors, etc. Going along with this it should not be so powerful that the recoil causes you to flinch or hurts your shoulder or causes you to take a long time getting your second shot.
3. Cost is a factor, but consider what you're buying may save your life (or not if it fails either due to inherent flaws or the fact that you forgot to work the proper lever at the right time) you should not make this a major factor.

My personal preference for people puying a defensive gun for the first time is a revolver. They have the advantage of simplicity of operation. I like the Taurus titanium .357. It's light, very corrosion resistant, and you can fire .357 or if the recoil is too much .38. It's also relatively inexpensive. I have one for my carry gun. I am somewhat of a gun entheusiast, and my home defense weapon is currently an Uzi. It cost $2800 plus another $200 for the federal transfer tax, but I feel that it is just about right for home defense. Not too powerful, not too big, but plenty of firepower and not complicated at all to work. Even my wife doesn't flinch when she fires it.

[RogueIsland]

bang

[Conservative Kay]

Don't buy a small caliper gun ( 22,25,32,etc.). You want something that has stopping power. A S&W 380 semi-automatic is good. It is small, light weight but it will stop someone.

[RogueIsland]

A S&W 380 semi-automatic is good. It is small, light weight but it will stop someone.

Oh, boy. You've stirred the caliber war hornets nest up now. I do carry a .380 regularly (.45 ACP occasionally), but expect the 9mm and .45 ACP contingents to soon show up here to deride the .380 as a mousegun.

[condi2008]

We have hunting firearms, but we are indeed considering buying a home defense weapon for the first time.

[SLB]

Oh, boy. You've stirred the caliber war hornets nest up now. I do carry a .380 regularly (.45 ACP occasionally), but expect the 9mm and .45 ACP contingents to soon show up here to deride the .380 as a mousegun.

BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ the hornets are flying.

[Crowcreek]

Beautiful -- There is great value in the simplicity of a wheelgun, and a good reason they remain popular after so many years.

I'm a firm believer that a person's first firearm should be a good revolver and a shotgun. (oh- that's two, isn't it?)

If you scored high in spatial reasoning and mechanical aptititude, get that fancy autoloader you've been drooling over in the magazines -- just be sure you get to know it real good before you learn to depend on it.

[2timothy3.16]

...however these very same people have fire extinquishers in their home....hmmm, shouldn't they just call the Fire Dept. to come to their aid then?

That is really good. And absolutley true.

Thanks and bump

[Riley]

The following assumes that we're talking about in-home defensive situations, not concealed carry outside of the home:

Pointing a shotgun at typical in-the-house engagement ranges 'in the general direction of the intruder' pretty well guarantees a miss. The shot pattern will have only expanded to a few inches in the house by the time it gets to the target. Other than that, shotguns are a pretty good choice. Whatever weapon is chosen, it should be practised until you *know* that you can efficiently handle it when you have been awakened from a dead sleep at 2:00 AM and you are shaking like a leaf. Simple and reliable is better.

I disagree that a different and smaller caliber should be selected for the lady of the house. If stopping power is a criteria for selecting the husband's defensive firearm, it should be for the wife's, as well. The situation doesn't change just because it's her that is doing the shooting. In handguns, get something simple to operate (middle of the night shaking like a leaf factor) and quite powerful, like a revolver in .357 Magnum. Go to the range with her, and start her out with .38 loads if necessary and work up to heavyweight .357 loads. I have taught several women to shoot and they are comfortable with the recoil- it really isn't that bad.

Another thing to be aware of, is the noise of a gunshot in a house. It will be much louder than expected. If you are lucky enough to live in a rural area where you can get away with it, you might consider finding some property in a safe area with a solid backstop for the fired rounds, and an available derelict building where you can pop a few rounds off to experience the noise and get used to it. No more than a few, it *will* damage your hearing.

[Centurion2000]

The most single critical factor in a defensive firearm is reliability. It should fire every time the trigger is pulled and conversely it should never fire unless the trigger is pulled no matter what

Then their first gun should be a ruger double action revolver. Works like a champ :)

[from occupied ga]

autoloader ... just be sure you get to know it real good before you learn to depend on it.

This needs repeating so I'll repeat it

If you buy an autoloader just be sure you get to know it real good before you learn to depend on it

You should be able to work it in your sleep or under extreme stress or wounded etc.

[Bodacious]

My house gun is a Remington 870, #4 buckshot with a HeviShot Modified choke........The wife prefers a Security Six .357 with a 5 3/8" Magported barrel and 125 grain Gold-Dot's
Outside carry is a Kimber .45.....with 158 grain Golden Sabers........and 2 back-up clips......
In ND we really don't have much varmit problems, but you can never know with everything that is going on.

[RogueIsland]

If you scored high in spatial reasoning and mechanical aptititude, get that fancy autoloader you've been drooling over in the magazines -- just be sure you get to know it real good before you learn to depend on it.

Two of my autos have never had a malfunction in many thousands of rounds. Yet I've seen a revolver that routinely bound up after five rounds. Lesson: shoot the heck out of any gun you plan to stake your life on. Regardless of action type, never just assume it is reliable. (BTW, I do agree that on average revolvers are more reliable than autos. I've found autos ranging from jamomatic to flawless and everything in between).

[Bodacious]

Here the average police responce could be up to 30 minutes, depending on weather and where in the county the duty deputy is........by all means call the calvary, but be prepared to defend yourself until then........

[from occupied ga]

Then their first gun should be a ruger double action revolver. Works like a champ :)

This is a good choice, likewise Taurus I prefer taurus, but this is a personal thing.

I suggest that in the realm of reliability and usability, battlefield experience is probably the most severe test of a firearm. Military type firearms are usually engineered so that even the dimmer lights can work them (My translation of the AK-47 manual stresses that ammunition is not to be thrown in fires) They have proven reliability , and adequate stopping power. My current Uzi fits all of my criteria of an ideal home defense weapon except one (cost).

[RogueIsland]

nother thing to be aware of, is the noise of a gunshot in a house. It will be much louder than expected.

Some recent research has suggested that in a high-stress situation, perceptual narrowing usually occurs and the brain "shuts down" that kind of input. Many individuals in shootings report that they never even heard their own shots.

Never seen that particular elephant myself, so your mileage may vary. In any event, take it into account before risking your upper frequency hearing on that little experiment. (I wouldn't suggest it with a ported Magnum, certainly),

[Crowcreek]

Yup, a big exception to every rule.... The first .357 I ever bought new (S&W L-frame) was a jamma-matic. Years later, I read in an old magazine that Smith and Wesson had recalled it!

It worked pretty good when I got it back -- but I'd never trust that sucka . . . .