BAt the moment, many people in the US are allowed to carry weapons. With a variety of stores that sell them, all you need to do is obtain your permit, after which you’re set. However, many newcomers are unaware of how to choose the right gun and might end up spending money on something that they don’t know how to handle.

If you’ve never been in a gun shop before or never bought a firearm, having some basic knowledge is crucial and will help you choose a suitable weapon. That being said, if you want to spend your money on a gun that’s able to meet your needs, here are some tips.

1. Choose a Reliable Store

You will notice that there is a wide range of gun shops to choose from – and if you aren’t accustomed to visiting such places, knowing which ones are reliable is quite difficult. Anyone can sell weapons, but how many of these people have lived around them in order to have the proper knowledge?

Unless you personally know a reliable store or a guy that knows what he’s talking about in terms of weapons, it’s hard to rely on chain stores. You might end up being convinced to buy a gun by someone who doesn’t even know how to hold it, and that’s a no-no.

This is why you don’t have to feel compelled to buy a gun from the first gun store in your way. Moreover, don’t feel ashamed to ask the person behind the counter about their experience with guns. It’s all in your benefit, after all, because spending your hard-earned cash on something that doesn’t suit you is not the ideal thing to do.

• Think About Why You Need a Gun

Why do you need a firearm? Is it for self-defense in case a thief decides to force his entrance in your home, or just to feel cool in your group of friends and assert dominance? Keep in mind that guns are not toys that you can flaunt around at your will – not unless you want those around you to form a bad impression and keep the distance.

Before you apply for your permit, you need to have a purpose. It could be for hunting, self-defense, target-shooting or anything else that has a deep meaning.

In addition, thinking about the reason why you are purchasing a gun in the first place will make it easier for you to choose the right type of gun for you.

• Consider Whether You Are Able to Shoot

Before you go on with your decision and spend money on your first firearm, you need to ask yourself: “Am I able to pull the trigger and watch what’s in front of me get destroyed?”. For instance, if your intention is to buy a gun for self-defense, you need to be mentally ready to shoot and defend yourself without questioning your morality.

It’s hard to tell what you would actually do until you find yourself in that situation. Still, thinking about it might let you see whether you have doubts or not. So, imagine yourself in that scenario and figure out what would you do once the fight or flight state gets control of your body and mind.

• Find a Proper Gun

Whenever you imagine yourself holding a gun, it is probably a particular type. In other words, the firearm might either be a revolver, semi auto, etc. Even so, you don’t know what’s right for you until you try them on spot.

Some guns have more power than others, requiring you to have more strength, whereas others are nice to feel and conceal. If you find a retailer that allows you to safely try the guns, you’ll be lucky enough to find a model that suits you. It’s important to find a gun that meets your needs and doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable while pulling the trigger.

• Spend Your Money Wisely

Just like it happens with any product, you will notice that firearms, even if they’re from the same category, have a wide variety of prices. This can make it harder for you to know which one offers a better quality.

Think about it this way: if you are going to own a gun, your life will depend on whether this item is good enough. Considering the importance of quality in this matter, you can’t overlook the cost of a gun. That doesn’t mean you have to spend all of your life savings on this firearm, but don’t settle for something as cheap as dirt.

If the price is too low, that should make you question the quality, because the last thing you want is your gun failing you in a dangerous situation. Make sure the one you will end up with has at least a decent price, so you won’t have to fear that the frame will crack after a few rounds.

• Choose a New Gun

Sure, purchasing a second-hand weapon might seem more convenient given the lower price. Even so, you should know that a used firearm might have issues you aren’t aware of. Moreover, unlike a new one, it doesn’t come with a warranty.

If you purchase a fresh gun from a shop and, for some reason, it malfunctions, you can always bring it back for replacement or reparations. On the other hand, a second-hand one might have been modified so that the warranty is invalid. At the same time, its warranty might have already expired.

Even if it means you have to wait for longer and save money, stick with a new and unused gun, as you will have more benefits.

Final Thoughts

It might be hard to choose a proper gun if you’re new to this field, which is why it’s even more important to get some guidance, so you end up with a firearm you can be happy with. Try to follow the steps in this article, and you can be sure you’ll spend your money wisely.