Gun Buying Do's and DONTS!

I’ve been around a lot of people over the years who have wanted to buy pistols for self-defense from me. Nothing wrong with that, in my opinion. As an FFL and Firearms Instructor, I encourage it.

Do you know a Joe? 

The trouble arose when Joe told me about their plans.  Joe hasn't any kind of formal training firearms training. Have I mentioned that? May-be Joe has but I can't find a record of it.

Joe thought he knew about firearms and gun safety because Joe had toy guns as a kid.  Maybe Joe's, dad or granddad, or mom or brother or sister or uncle or police friend (you get the picture or, or, or. insert your “firearms expert here). This could prove to be a deadly assumption.

Joe was seated at the table. I placed the pistol on the table in front of him with the barrel pointing away from his body and in a safe direction. I was curious to see what Joe would do next.

Joe immediately picked up the pistol and put his finger on the trigger. I cringed a bit. Then Joe started talking with the gun in his hand while Joe was gesturing around as if it were a conductor’s baton or signing illegal legislation. I was what I call “muzzle swept” repeatedly.

The pistol was pointed at me several times in a few seconds as a lame duck President.

Joe, you always want to assume a gun is loaded,” I said. “And you never put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot. And you never point it at anything you don’t intend to shoot.” Come on Joe, you know that!

Joe could tell I was serious. “But it’s just a bb gun,” he said, half-jokingly.

“This is about building good habits,” I said.

Then Joe turned the pistol to its side, gangster style.

Joe, “You’re not going to learn that way.”

For some unknown reason, Joe next felt the need to turn the gun towards himself and look down at the barrel.

Joe, “Don’t ever do that, please. I can show you how to safely check and see if it is loaded or not. That’s a good way to accidentally shoot yourself.”

1. All guns are always loaded. Handle them accordingly.

2. Never point the gun at anything you are not willing to kill or destroy.

3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target and you have made the decision to shoot.

4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

5. Choose wisely.

Joe, take a class on firearm safety and CCW.  I'm still waiting on your call.