subject: How to Buy Your First Handgun- A Series of Articles For Your Safety Part One [print this page] How to Buy Your First Handgun- A Series of Articles For Your Safety Part One
There are many factors to take into consideration when you are about to buy your first handgun. Let start off by saying that I feel that I am qualified to speak on this subject for the following reasons. I have had 18 years of martial arts training at the Bujinkan Atlanta Dojo in Atlanta Georgia which I attained the level of 5th Degree Black Belt. I am proficient in close quarter combat with and with out a handgun. I was a teacher for 14 of those years. I taught local swat teams on close quarter combat in Georgia. While doing a seminar in Zrich Switzerland I had in attendance police and military alike. I am a graduate of NRA handgun safety courses. I am a graduate of the Executive Protection Institute in Berryville, Virginia, founded by Dr. Richard Kobetz. I have worked many personal protection details ranging from former President Jimmy Carter to the President of Columbia and National Dignitaries from Japan just to name a few. I was also a licensed fire arms dealer both of type I and Type II. Which means I sold everything from handguns, long guns, machine guns and suppressors and did so for many years. A small disclaimer here for you is one thing I am not is an attorney. Anything I am suggesting or giving my opinion about how to purchase your first handgun is just that, my opinion based on years of experience of practical use and not to be construed as legal advise. All that being said here is what I believe are the most important considerations when choosing your first handgun.
Firstly, do you value your own life enough to take the life of another human being that has decided that their life is more important than yours given that current moment of aggression against you or your family? This is the first and most important decision to be considered even before you walk into your first gun store. A lot of people give NO thought to this and blindly go out and purchase a handgun, buy a 100 rounds of ammunition, go to the range and shoot a box of 50 or so rounds then start carrying their pride and joy thinking that they can now protect themselves. You should give thoughtful consideration as to your mental state of being able and willing to take another life in the defense of yours and family. A lot of people are not mentally able to do this and that's fine. Stop reading the article now and buy some pepper spray and "hope for the best".
The second most important factor to consider is how much you are actually going to become familiar with your handgun. There are many different types of handguns. Revolvers, semi automatics and their different variations of features some of which include double action only, single and double action. Large frame, small frame handguns and not to forget choice of caliber for the handgun. If you are going to be carrying your handgun for protection then there are a whole list of considerations. If you are going to be purchasing your first handgun for recreational shooting then there are a whole different set of considerations that come into light.
In part two of How to Buy Your First Handgun we will look deeper into the second most important factors as well as the other factors to consider before you purchase your first handgun.
