Has The Time Come For You To Own A Gun? Here's What You Need To Know First

Have today's headlines about the government stockpiling ammunition, more gun control legislation, emptying prisons due to overcrowding and the prospect of 11 million illegal aliens, including criminal aliens already in custody, receiving amnesty enough to make you consider owning a firearm? If so, there are things you should know before you take the plunge and exercise your Second Amendment rights. This column will focus on handguns only and is based upon my own professional experience of carrying concealed handguns for most of my life. What Kind Of Firearm Do I Need? There once was a seemingly endless debate about which type of handgun was better for personal protection: revolvers or semi-automatics. That debate has pretty much been settled with almost all law enforcement agencies turning in their revolvers years ago for the semi-autos; however, for the novice, a revolver is hard to beat. They come in a variety of sizes and calibers and throughout this nation's history more people have probably used a .38 special to protect themselves than any other firearm. They are easy to load, clean and operate. If you're a woman, you may want to see first if you have the strength in your index finger to rapidly pull the trigger of a revolver five or six times; many do not. A double-action semi-automatic pistol only requires a heavier trigger pull for the first shot, and the necessary strength to fire subsequent rounds is diminished significantly. Some semi-auto firearms are designed to fire "single action" only, such as a Glock. I would not recommend this type of handgun for the novice as it is inherently more dangerous to the operator unless he or she is well trained and experienced to handle such a weapon. Semi-automatics can carry 10 - 17 or more rounds depending on the manufacturer and the caliber, but many states are actively pursuing limits on magazine capacities to no more than 10 rounds. Regardless, a 10-round magazine or if you're in New York, a 10-round magazine with only seven bullets in it, still exceeds the capacity of a six-shot revolver by two rounds because you can keep a round in the chamber of the semi-automatic pistol. What Caliber of Handgun Should I Use? A .22 caliber pistol is fun to shoot empty cans with, but when it comes to personal protection, .40 S&W and .45 calibers offer the best protection. Studies by the Drug Enforcement Administration Firearms Training Unit revealed that the .40 caliber pistol had more stopping power and penetration than just about any other handgun caliber and rivaled the knock down capacity of the famous .45. I recommend and carry a .40 caliber pistol because of the weapon's larger magazine capacity. More bullets are always better in a gunfight. What Brand of Firearm Should I Purchase? There are many fine firearms on the market, both foreign and domestic; however, you cannot go wrong with a brand that has been around for decades and is used by law enforcement agencies. They have done the research for you, so you can trust their judgment. Take a Firearms Course and Practice at the Range If you purchase a firearm, don't just throw it in a drawer and not ever practice with it. You must become intimately familiar with its functions, safety devices, loading procedures and how it will react when you pull the trigger. Don't wait until the moment you need to use it to protect yourself to realize it makes a lot of noise and has a good amount of kick to it. Practice at a range and get some instruction from an NRA, police or military range master who knows what he or she is doing. Make Sure Your Firearm is Out of Reach of Children You can eliminate the possibility of an accidental discharge of a firearm by a child or curious adult by properly securing the weapon. There are many small, lockable containers available designed to secure a handgun that can quickly be opened with a combination. Many States require proof you have such a container, or you must purchase a cumbersome gun lock, most of which are junk and easily defeated. Check to see what your State requirements are. A firearms dealer can tell you for sure. What Kind of Ammunition Should I Use? What is known as "hallow point" ammunition will help prevent a bullet from going through a robber and killing a customer. The bullet is designed to expand upon impact and produce the maximum wound possible while not going through several layers of sheet rock. Almost all police departments use this type of ammunition, so why shouldn't you? Is There Civil Liability If I Shoot Someone? Count on it! We've all heard stories about a burglar suing a homeowner for shooting him. Check with your insurance carrier about coverage specifically related to firearm discharges. If you're a homeowner with a steady job and a 401(k), you've got deep pockets as far as an unscrupulous attorney is concerned. Do Your Research Before Purchasing A Firearm Read some of the many magazines devoted to handguns. You'll have a good head start on determining the firearm that is right for you before walking into a gun store. In Conclusion If you're not comfortable with a handgun in the house, then don't buy one. Many times, the mere displaying of a firearm deters a bad guy from carrying out his evil intentions. Shooting someone only to protect your life or the life of another is a good rule of thumb. It is just as important to know when to shoot as it is to know how to shoot. Finally, don't ever fire warning shots. If you fire and miss the bad guy that should be ample warning to him that you mean business. Read more: Family Security Matters http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/detail/has-the-time-come-for-you-to-own-a-gun-things-you-first-need-to-know#ixzz2ia8x2Gmo Under Creative Commons License: Attribution