Part 1 – Firearms 101

Recently, I was approached by a friend asking some advice about firearms. She knew nothing about them and had only shot her adult son’s pistol one round. That is the only firearms experience she ever had. So, I invited her over to spend some time and look at some different options to consider and discuss several topics. Many people may have never even touched a gun and want to learn more. Yet little information is out there that is complete.

Where should I start?

So, you decided you want to learn more about firearms and have no idea where to start! Maybe, the recent pandemic or civil unrest made you think about it. Maybe, you want to protect your family or worse yet have a stalker. So, let us discuss the ins-and-outs of firearms ownership. Owning a firearm requires a level of responsibility and dedication.

Safety

Safety is the number one priority of every firearms owner and shooter. There are four basic rules of firearms.

  1. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded and ready to fire
  2. Never ever point your firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy or kill
  3. Always know your target and what is behind it
  4. Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are on target and ready to shoot

A big consideration is the safety of your family and children. You need to consider how you will keep or store your firearm in a manner that is consistent with your state laws, your moral code and personal comfort level. It is good practice to keep firearms away from children and anyone who is untrained. How you do that will depend on your personal situation. It is illegal for any minor possess a pistol without the permission of their parent or guardian and it is illegal to transfer a pistol to any minor (18 USC 922).

Legality

First, I am not a lawyer, and this is not legal advice rather a guideline for perspective firearms owners. The Second Amendment: “A well-regulated militia being necessary for the security of a free state, the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” These words were added to the Constitution on December 15th, 1791. This is the highest law of the land in the United States and has been upheld by the Supreme Court. Some states also have similar language in their Constitutions.

Can I own a firearm?

Well, generally, yes. It is your right. Firearms are regulated federally by the Department of Justice’s, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In addition, each state has its own laws which you will need to understand for your state of residence. There are a few reasons you cannot own a firearm. As an overview under federal law, you can own a firearm if:

  1. You have never been convicted of a felony
  2. You have not been declared as mentally unfit by a court of law
  3. You have not been discharged from the US armed forces under dishonorable conditions
  4. You are not a user of illegal drugs (this includes marijuana under 21 USC 802)
  5. You are not a fugitive from justice
  6. You are not an illegal alien
  7. You have not renounced your citizenship to the United States of America
  8. You are not under a court order/restraining order (stalking, harassing, or threatening an intimate partner or child)
  9. You have not been convicted of a crime of domestic violence
  10. You are not under indictment or trial for a crime that can have a sentence exceeding one year in prison
  11. You are over 18 years old for “long guns” (rifles and shotguns) or 21 years old for “handguns” (pistols or revolvers)

Whew! I meet all that, what is next?

Training

All firearms owners should have some training. Some states mandate it to purchase, some mandate it to carry a firearm and/or have a concealed carry permit. Personally, I started shooting as a child around eight years old with my parents’ supervision, I also hunted growing up etc. When I was in high school, I was lucky enough to have training from a friend who was a police officer and trainer. Since then, I have taken other training courses and I have learned something in every single one. Always keep learning and practicing.

If you purchase or are purchasing a firearm, you should seek training from a competent instructor. There are many out there and it is important to make sure you get the one that is best for you. A few places to start to find training include NRA certified instructors, local gun ranges and clubs or even your local firearms/gun shop. Many are happy to refer you to a competent instructor. Some instructors also can show you several firearms and allow you to shoot different ones to see what fits you best. Some instructors offer female only training if that is more comfortable for you.

Good training classes will offer hands on experience with a high round count in a safe secure environment. It is imperative that you get practical experience with firearms and your new firearm after you purchase it. I cannot stress enough how critical it is to have training!

In Part 2 we will discuss the uses and types of firearms.

–Castle

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