Total Newbie Advice - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

KunoxS · 10-06-2004, 01:01 AM

HI, I have been reading a ton of threads on in this forum and have been insterested in guns for years. I am about to turn 20 and would love to own one for myself, my question is where to start. Safety training licencing all that where do I start the road to owning my own. Now I have never owned one but I have fired dozen's so I know how that works. Just a quick sumerization of where to start would make my day, thanks.

cuervo · 10-06-2004, 01:31 AM

Fallen Angel's post has about the same advice I'd give you:
http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=68175

Licensing requirements will depend on where you live.
http://www.packing.org can give some general rules on that. Also, if a license is required, your gun shop will tell you when you try to make a purchase.

[Edit: Packing.org lists laws related to conceal carry. For general laws for your state, click on
http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/Default.aspx
and scroll down and click on your state.]

Purchase what you can afford and what you'll be able to shoot where you are. If you live in a large city that has only indoor ranges, buying a rifle won't help you very much. If you want to learn to hunt elk, buying a .22 won't help very much, etc.

For a purchase, the first place would be a gun store. If you're looking for history, try the CMP, if you can meet their requirements (not difficult unless you don't have any clubs around that are affiliated with them). Their address is: http://www.odcmp.com

You can also try the gun boards but you'll still need a local dealer for an out-of-state transfer. There's:
http://www.gunsamerica.com
http://www.gunbroker.com
http://www.auctionarms.com
to name a few.

arawn · 10-06-2004, 07:45 AM

Cuervo's advice is dead-on.

I don't know what state you live in (and this is an important factor) but the first step is to go to your local gun store and find out your state's law/processes/limitations.

B.

DelayedReaction · 10-06-2004, 08:49 AM

Take a safety course before you even think of getting a gun. NRA-approved safety courses are extremely comprehensive, and give you plenty of time out on the range. Plus you get to meet people who share your interests.

Go to www.nra.org and do a search for their safety courses in your area.

Also, check out www.packing.org for information about laws and safety courses in your area.

Jerron36 · 10-13-2004, 08:12 PM

A safety class is a good start b/c you are fairly new to the gun world. But, also find a friend who shoots and tell them you are thinking about getting a gun and talk to them, and ask if you can go shooting with them. That is always a good start.

bill96ab · 11-02-2004, 07:10 PM

Tons of practice... that is so very important. My wife had 4000 rounds through her gun before she felt ready to carry.

Slims · 11-02-2004, 08:36 PM

I am not going to try to reiterate what was said in the other threads, but real quick...

In most states you don't need any license or training whatsoever, though it is a very good idea.

You simply show up at the store, pick out the weapon of your preference and plunk down your money (after the background check, etc.). Though pistol purchase procedures are often different, it doesn't matter since you are not yet twenty one.

Considering the number of rounds you need to fire before you will become proficient, you are probably be best served by a .22 rifle. The ammunition is cheap, and the absence of recoil helps you to develop good habits instead of bad ones that are very difficult to correct (like flinching). Since a fifty round box of .22 ammo runs about five dollars (vs. 20 for 20 rounds of centerfire) you can afford to practice a lot and use the money you will save to get a larger caliber rifle after you have gained enough experience to know what you are most comfortable wit

10-06-2004, 01:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
KunoxS Upright	Total Newbie Advice HI, I have been reading a ton of threads on in this forum and have been insterested in guns for years. I am about to turn 20 and would love to own one for myself, my question is where to start. Safety training licencing all that where do I start the road to owning my own. Now I have never owned one but I have fired dozen's so I know how that works. Just a quick sumerization of where to start would make my day, thanks.

10-06-2004, 01:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
cuervo Tilted Location: NC	Fallen Angel's post has about the same advice I'd give you: http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=68175 Licensing requirements will depend on where you live. http://www.packing.org can give some general rules on that. Also, if a license is required, your gun shop will tell you when you try to make a purchase. [Edit: Packing.org lists laws related to conceal carry. For general laws for your state, click on http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/Default.aspx and scroll down and click on your state.] Purchase what you can afford and what you'll be able to shoot where you are. If you live in a large city that has only indoor ranges, buying a rifle won't help you very much. If you want to learn to hunt elk, buying a .22 won't help very much, etc. For a purchase, the first place would be a gun store. If you're looking for history, try the CMP, if you can meet their requirements (not difficult unless you don't have any clubs around that are affiliated with them). Their address is: http://www.odcmp.com You can also try the gun boards but you'll still need a local dealer for an out-of-state transfer. There's: http://www.gunsamerica.com http://www.gunbroker.com http://www.auctionarms.com to name a few. Last edited by cuervo; 10-06-2004 at 08:52 AM..

10-06-2004, 07:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
arawn Upright Location: San Diego, CA	Cuervo's advice is dead-on. I don't know what state you live in (and this is an important factor) but the first step is to go to your local gun store and find out your state's law/processes/limitations. B. __________________ JMJ Factory team San Diego, CA

10-06-2004, 08:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
DelayedReaction BFG Builder Location: University of Maryland	Take a safety course before you even think of getting a gun. NRA-approved safety courses are extremely comprehensive, and give you plenty of time out on the range. Plus you get to meet people who share your interests. Go to www.nra.org and do a search for their safety courses in your area. Also, check out www.packing.org for information about laws and safety courses in your area. __________________ If ignorance is bliss, you must be having an orgasm.

11-02-2004, 07:10 PM	#6 (permalink)
bill96ab Crazy Location: Heart o' Texas	Tons of practice... that is so very important. My wife had 4000 rounds through her gun before she felt ready to carry. __________________ Bill Ctrl-Alt-Del - works for me!

10-13-2004, 08:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jerron36 Upright	A safety class is a good start b/c you are fairly new to the gun world. But, also find a friend who shoots and tell them you are thinking about getting a gun and talk to them, and ask if you can go shooting with them. That is always a good start.

11-02-2004, 08:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
Slims Eccentric insomniac Location: North Carolina	I am not going to try to reiterate what was said in the other threads, but real quick... In most states you don't need any license or training whatsoever, though it is a very good idea. You simply show up at the store, pick out the weapon of your preference and plunk down your money (after the background check, etc.). Though pistol purchase procedures are often different, it doesn't matter since you are not yet twenty one. Considering the number of rounds you need to fire before you will become proficient, you are probably be best served by a .22 rifle. The ammunition is cheap, and the absence of recoil helps you to develop good habits instead of bad ones that are very difficult to correct (like flinching). Since a fifty round box of .22 ammo runs about five dollars (vs. 20 for 20 rounds of centerfire) you can afford to practice a lot and use the money you will save to get a larger caliber rifle after you have gained enough experience to know what you are most comfortable wit __________________ "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill "All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T.E. Lawrence