Should I...

One of the more common questions I get when I'm out in and about is, "Should I buy a gun, and if so, what kind do you recommend?"

While this may sound like a simple yes, or no, followed by a recommendation for what kind of firearm to buy, it's not. There are many things one should consider before purchasing a firearm. The first question should be; what is the intended purpose of the weapon? Is this going to be a new hobby/sport, or a personal protection device? Because most see a firearm as means to ward off potential attackers and criminals, I will address the latter and focus on handguns. The following questions should be thoroughly evaluated before you ever set foot in a gun shop.

What's your motivation?
So you've decided that you're going to buy a handgun for personal protection. Now you need to assess why you feel like you need a gun in the first place. Is it because you're afraid of criminals, society or the government, or because you feel like owning and carrying a handgun will enhance your ability to protect yourself and others? While those two questions may sound identical, they are not. If your primary motivation for carrying a gun is fear, then you need to stop now and seek professional help for an array of social disorders. However, if a handgun is seen as simply another tool you can use to protect yourself then you're okay.

Can you defend yourself without a gun?
I would like to place special emphasis on the phrase another tool. No profession that requires the carrying of a firearm for defense relies strictly on said firearm for total defense. Military and Law Enforcement teach that a firearm is part of a weapons system that makes a combatant successful. Relying on a single facet of a weapons system limits the combatant’s ability to adapt to a given situation and greatly hinders the effectiveness of the system. Truth is, a firearm may not always be the answer to a given threat, even if that threat is firing a weapon at you. Before spending thousands of dollars on a firearm and the training which accompanies it; you need to ask yourself if you would still be able to defend yourself without your firearm. In its most basic form a gun is simply a machine with many moving parts. If you're unable to function in the event of a catastrophic failure of those parts, you simply become a liability to yourself, those you are trying to protect, and a potential casualty.

Do you have the time and money to spend?
Owning a firearm is one thing, but being able to safely employ it in a highly stressful, life threatening event is something completely different and requires a great deal of preparation beyond that of a basic concealed carry licensure course. Training is time consuming and ammunition is expensive, but they are a necessity. Unfortunately it's impossible to know how much time you will have to devote to gaining proficiency as each person has different strengths and weaknesses, and training time is required just to discover those strengths and weaknesses, let alone address them. If you are unable to devote the time and money to honing your firearms proficiency, you may want to reconsider purchasing a weapon all together.

Do you know your City, County, State, and Federal Laws?
The most important consideration for carrying a handgun is the law. There are very specific laws for who can carry a handgun, how a handgun should be carried, and when and where one can carry a handgun. These laws can vary greatly by city, county and state, but should always be researched and followed. The last thing anyone wants is to end up with a felony charge due to ignorance of the law.

You may have noticed that I didn't make a recommendation for what to carry. The selection of handguns available on the market is staggering, and making a single recommendation would be irresponsible. Finding a firearm is like finding a pair of shoes, and finding the proper fit for you is of the utmost importance. To find the gun that is right for you, seek the advice of several licensed firearms dealers, and fire as many different kinds of handguns as you can before making a purchase. If you're curious, I carry the H&K P2000, V2, Law Enforcement Modifcation (LEM) .40 S&W, for no particular reason other than I like it.

Owning a firearm is more than a right, it's a privilege. Making an informed purchase, developing and maintaining proficiency, and obeying the law will not only make you effective should you have to use your weapon of choice, but help keep you and others safe when you're not using it.

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