Posted on 01/12/2005 2:43:22 PM PST by pogo101
Sorry for the vanity, but I'm a Californian (L.A. County, if that matters) who's strongly considering purchasing a legal firearm for home defense. (I guess I can pretty well forget about getting a CW permit, given where I live, hm?)
I haven't a clue where to begin researching what I understand to be a myriad of regulations and licensing requirements. I'd also like information on how to train for safest use and handling of whatever I might buy. Help!
What I think I need is NOT a hand-typed custom response to my question but rather read-it-myself reference material (ideally a FAQ- and link-packed website).
Many thanks!
NRA?
oooops, sorry.
hehehehe
First. Move out of California and into a Free State.
Attend any NRA approved basic pistol class and you will learn all the basics of hand-firearm ownership.
I broke into somebodys house to (steel) theirs. Better that way.
Type in keyword NRA...
For home defense get a pump shotgun.
Unless they're sitting there with a beer in one hand and a .45 Auto in the other.
or also type in "home defense handgun" or "home defense firearm".......you'll get tons of stuff on the type of weapon which usually comes down to a reliable revolver or shotgun........firearms are no problem in Calif except for .50 caliber or assault type weapons but you can even own battle rifles like M-14 but the Calif version has some modifications........
Find the book: HOW TO OWN A GUN AND STAY OUT OF JAIL. There are versions for each state. Very good guide to what you can and can't do, with case law cited.
Take a good course from the NRA or a qualified school/trainer.
Don't take advice from people on the internet :)
Try these two links:
http://www.firearmstraining.com/location.html
http://www.packing.org/
Rumor has it that San Bernardino Co and Orange Co. are not so difficult to get CCW permits. Wouldn't know personally.
I call em boys FRIENDS. I would only steel one from a liberal who pretends to be against handguns, Like Sen. Feinstein.
Search on keyword "banglist" here on FR.
If you are not intimately familiar with firearms, I strongly counsel you to purchase a double-barrel (i.e., side-by-side) shotgun in 12 or 20 gauge rather than a pistol. Such arms are easy to operate and clean; not particularly expensive to shoot; much, much easier to master than a handgun; require no special permits in most jurisdictions; and, they are quite deadly at normal home defense ranges.
A used Stevens 311 or Savage-Fox model B is a good choice for a reasonable price (you can spend a fortune on an upscale double, but you don't need anything fancy). Stay away from the cheap Brazilian stuff (Rossi, etc).
1. Find a local shooting range WHERE THEY RENT GUNS!
2. I reccommend Magnum range, but they are in Upland, CA which is quite a drive if you are in LA.
3. Try a 9mm automatic, 45 ACP, 357 magnum and maybe a shotgun.
4. Decide what you are most comfortable with. The shop owner might be some help, but if you know someone who already has some guns to go with you even better.
5. Find your local Turners. www.turners.com
6. Goto turners and take the test for your California handgun card. 20 common sense questions such as:
When carrying your firearm in your vehicle it should be carried.
a) Loaded on the seat next to you.
b) Unloaded in the glove compartment.
c) Loaded and under the seat.
d) Unloaded and locked in a DOJ approved firearm container or in the trunk.
If you can't pass the test without studying you should take a think twice about purchasing a gun.
6. Fill out ardous paperwork and purchase your gun.
7. Read about gun safety on the Internet or take a firearm safety class. You can sign up for the class at Turners.
8. Take your gun to the gun range a shoot it quite a bit until you get the feel for it. At least 500 rounds in a handgun.
9. Buy a DOJ lockbox if you have kids.
Have fun.
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