Things every new gun owner should know

If you’re a new gun owner, welcome to the club! You’re entering a community that has some of the warmest and giving people. So, you’ve purchased your first firearm, now what? There are a few things that you need to keep in mind as you venture into the realm of Second Amendment freedom!

Your firearm is a tool. A gun is an inanimate object and cannot do “good” or “bad” things. A gun cannot act. Only the person interacting with a gun can act. If you don’t agree, place your new firearm, unloaded and pointed in a safe direction, on a table. Stare at it and wait for it to do something. Okay, you get the picture. You as the owner of the firearm determines how it gets used of misused.

Part of being a responsible gun owner is being educated about your gun specifically and on gun safety in general. Whatever reason you’ve decided to become a gun owner, it’s your own personal thing. The majority of people that trainers encounter when asked about “why” they got a firearm, the answer is “self-defense.” If this is you, we’re here to help. If this is not you, we’re here to help. We don’t discriminate on why people get firearms; however we advocate for their safe use, handling, storage, etc. Training is a must when it comes to gun ownership and we are happy to assist you in achieving your goals. If you don’t like the training programs we offer, or can’t accommodate your needs, please do still seek training. Gun safety training saves lives.

Practice is important. Once you have trained, practicing what you have learned is the only way to keep your skills sharp. There is nothing wrong with going out to the range and shooting a few boxes of ammunition for fun. Let’s face it, one of the consequences of firearm use is that there is a “fun” element to this activity. When you practice though, do so with a goal in mind. It does not take thousands of rounds of ammunition in a shooting session to get in proper practice. One box might be all  you need to help achieve your goals. Being deliberate is what pays off. Also, dry fire practice is something that is beneficial and free to gun owners. This we’ll cover in another article though.

As a gun owner, you have certain moral and legal responsibilities. Know the laws of the jurisdiction you live in. Running afoul of the law can be costly in the way of legal fees and could further result in jail time. Making sure you know all the laws on possession, travel with, storage, use, etc. of firearms is not just your legal responsibility but your moral one.

Know that you need to store your gun(s) in an appropriate manner. Keeping firearms out of the hands of children and disqualified people is a must. There are multiple storage methods and devices on the market that can help you store your firearm in a legal manner and a way in which works for you. Do your research on different lock boxes, safes, concealment furniture, trigger locks, cases, etc. and get something that will fit your needs.

Don’t go crazy! This is an exciting time and many people get “sucked in” quickly! Don’t run out and buy every single piece of shooting equipment or accessory that you find right away. Stick to the basics at first and then build on that. There is plenty of time down the line to amass a pile of things that you “need”. Trust us, even if you do your due diligence to put thought into what you buy, you’ll undoubtably end up with a box of items you don’t use often or at all.

Make sure the people you live with are educated on firearms too. You may have a domestic partner or child that is not going to take part in the use of your gun(s), and that’s okay. However, they do need to know the basic safety rules. For children, at minimum you need to teach them that they are not to touch or play with guns at any time. You’re going to know your situation best. With kids though, one of the most effective ways to keep them from “playing” with guns is to teach them about them, show them to them when they want to see them, and allow the to go to the range with you. Demystify them so that they’re not drawn to them. You know your family members best, so work with them to keep everyone safe.

Further education and training is a must. Sure, getting the basics out of the way is a good thing, but that does not seal the deal. There is more to learn and more to explore. As you grow as a gun owner, look for higher levels of training to further develop your skills.

These are just a few things to keep in mind as a new gun owner. Your explorations are just beginning and we’re happy to welcome you into the fold. Should there be something we have not addressed here, we’re here for you. Just reach out and we’ll be happy to assist you in any way you need.