buying a gun?

Question

I'm planning to buy a gun, so I can protect myself..I'm pretty new to this idea...

How much does a gun cost?
Where can I buy it?
Do I need to give reasons why I want to purchase it (to the owner of the store)?
How old can you purchase one?
If I want to protect myself..where should I put the gun? I mean, I can't carry it with me all the time..
If a police checks my house, will he thinks me as a bad person for having a gun in my house?

Is there other way to protect myself than having gun ready?

I"m a US citizen.

To be honest, I'm very naive..about all this gun stuffs..Im not even sure what type of gun to buy..

Any suggestions?

I live in Calif.

Answer 1

The first question you should ask is...
Are you ready to take the life of another person when they threaten the safety of you or your family?
Now...Your other questions...
Cost? Depends on what you want. A Smith and Wesson 9mm semi-auto runs about $340.
Where? Any gun shop
No reasons necessary but you may be required to show proof of a safety class. I recommend a hunting course. It counts and you get a hunting license to boot.
How old? At least 18
Police checks? You don't have to even let them in unless the have a warrant.
Another way? I don't believe so. What else can defend against a criminal's gun but another gun?

Answer 2

What kind of gun do you plan on buying?

The cost of a gun will depend on what type of gun you are looking for. For instance you can buy a riffle for $80 at WalMart. If you are looking for a hand gun it could cost anywhere from $300 - a few thousand dollars.

You will need to give a reason for purchase, yes.

I believe it's 18 y/o to purchase a riffle and 21 for a hand gun.

You can carry a handgun (unless otherwise posted) if you have the proper identification and permit. This can be obtained for a nominal fee at your local sheriffs office.

I don't know about the police. I am sure if you have the proper permit you won't have a problem.

As far as protecting yourself without having a gun there are tons of ways. Carry a cell phone to dial 911. Don't go to places where you do not feel safe. Keep your doors and windows locked when you aren't home or when you are sleeping.

I would also recommend that if you aren't familiar with guns that if you do purchase one you take a safety course and get some time in at a shooting range for practice. A gun isn't a necessity so if you aren't going to feel comfortable handling one don't get one.

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

A lot of considerations before getting a gun. From your question it appears you are not very familiar with guns. If that is the case I beg you NOT to get a gun.

If you insist that you should have one, learn how to use it. Not only which end the bullets come out of but about gun safety. Go to a gun range that rents guns and has firearm safety classes. Most untrained people who own guns shoot themselves, a family member by mistake, or the gun is left unsecured and someone else hurts themselves.

There are a lot of other ways to protect yourself without a gun, get good locks on your doors and windows, security/motion sensor lights, an alarm system for your house. I assume we are talking home defense because it would be illegal for you to carry the gun on your person.

As far as whether or not it is legal for you to have a gun where you live, ask your local police. Many municipalities have restrictions on types of guns, like assault weapon bans.

Guns are expensive, for a handgun plan on spending at least $400.00 (used). There are a few handguns in the $100 price range, do not get one of these. You have to be 18 to purchase a longgun, 21 to purchase a handgun. You will have to complete a criminal records check and answer a list of questions.

If you do get a gun, it needs to be secured. Get a gunsafe or a trigger lock device. The argument people will make is how do I use it for home defense if it's locked up. You can get electronic gunsafes that open in a few seconds. If you just stick it in a drawer or under your mattress anyone can take it. It is not uncommon for a gunowner to be charged for being negligent and letting his unsecured gun fall into a child's hands.

Answer 5

Need to know what state your in. A lot of states let you own a gun in your home, some let you get a license to carry a concealed weapon. If its legal and cops come in your house they cant think your bad, however it probably shouldnt be out in the open to where people who come in your house can openly see it.

What are you trying to protect yourself against? I think every home should have a gun. If someone is stalking you id carry it on you anyways, but make sure its registered, its a felony to buy it and not register it. When you buy it from a gun store there will be a waiting period of a week I think. A good handgun is usually around 500, some less some more. I think in CA you have to be 21. You can buy a shotgun or a rifle at 18 I believe. I would place the gun ina safe box in your closet or something especially if you have kids, but keep it loaded and accessable in case of emergency.

Also, if someone rbos you... NEVER SHOOT THEM IN THE BACK, forensics will say they were running away etc and the rule of "use as little force as is necessary" is basicly broken.

Edit: Also as a reminder, never draw and point the gun at someone unless you plan on shooting them, and once you've made that decision DO NOT HESITATE. Using a gun is the VERY LAST line of defense and all other options should be exhausted before you pull the trigger, keep in mind even if its a criminal you could face jail time for shooting him.

Answer 6

If you are an adult US citizen who isn't a convicted felon or been diagnosed with a mental disability, in all likelyhood you should have no problem getting a gun.

Some exceptions to this general rule:
If you live in a city where gun violence is rampant (DC, Chicago, NY, Baltimore, Detroit etc.) there may be severe limitations on your ability to purchase a gun. Politicians in those areas are of the opinion that only criminals should have access to guns, so you might want to buy a shirt with a bullseye on it if you are a law abiding citizen).

Guns aren't that expensive, a nice 38 revolver would be inexpensive and easy to find at most sporting/goods stores.

You don't need to give reasons to buy one. There will be a 3 day wait while they do a backround check on your eligibility.

Depending on the county you live in you should be able to get permit to carry if you so desire (check on your jurisdiction).
The police wouldn't search your house unless they had reasonable suspicion that you were involved in a crime and owning a gun isn't a crime (yet).

All of that is the nuts and bolts; the bigger question is Why??

It sounds like you aren't sure if gun ownership is up your alley yet. There are less than lethal means to protect yourself (mace, stun gun, hiring a body guard like those liberal elite jerks who want to take the guns away).

Guns aren't toys and there is no unpulling a trigger. If you aren't sure, don't get one. Get a safety training course, The NRA has a real good course on personal protection/safety (and it isn't full of propoganda so don't worry).

Answer 7

Guns are wonderful for sport and even self defense. Without proper knowledge and comfort with a gun, they can be more dangerous than supportive. No one is going to think less of you for owning a gun. Do not carry a gun with you unless you have proper permits and knowledge of its use. You will most likely get yourself or someone else killed by that gun otherwise. Most attacks occur at home. Keep the gun there. Carrying a gun is looking for trouble.

If you feel you must have a gun, shop around and don't let someone talk you into an expensive gun. There are some handguns rather inexpensive. Caliber does not have to be large. Before purchase, get some lessons on using a gun. If you are afraid or uncomfortable with using a gun - do not purchase one. If you have to think before pulling the trigger, it will most likely to late.

Answer 8

1. How much does a gun cost?...Could be very cheap or expensive, just depends on your tastes. Average cheap handgun is about $250-$400

1. Where can I buy it?...Gun shop. They are all over the place.

2. Do I need to give reasons why I want to purchase it (to the owner of the store)?...Details are none of their business. Most people do buy for self protection. Put that on the blank.

3. How old to purchase one?...Handgun 21, rifles (including semi-auto assault rifles) 18.

4. If I want to protect myself..where should I put the gun? I mean, I can't carry it with me all the time.. If you have children ALWAYS keep your gun out of reach. You can lock it up in a safe, but you will want it to be easily accessable for you in the event of a home invasion.

5. If a police checks my house, will he think me as a bad person for having a gun in my house?...Nope. Cops all have guns in their house. They had them before they became cops and they are very big gun advocates.

6. Is there other way to protect myself than having gun ready...
Sure. Self defense classes, etc. The most effective way is with a gun. Any other thing such as tasors, defense training, and mace requires you to have up close contact with the person you are defending yourself from which increases your chances of being killed or injured. Most people don't know this but everytime you mace someone, you get maced a little yourself. That shiit goes everywhere.

If you don't know someone to teach you to shoot I highly suggest going to your local gun range and taking lessons. Gun safety is important.

Edit: Also, whether or not you need to be a registered is up to the state laws in which you live. Contrary to popular belief this is not a federal law and many states don't require it. You will have to have a criminal check as felons can't buy guns.

Answer 9

well the range from 100.00 to 1000.00 depends on what type yopu want do you want a small hand gun or if you want a brand new one or a used one best place to buy a used one is at a pawn shop or a gun dealer , but you need to know that you cant have no feloneys, or anything when you get one and in order to carry it with you at all times you have to take a conceal and carry class and make sure your drivers licence match the address you live at or they will not sell it to you they have to run a nics, background check on you with the fbi and it can be approved instantly or it can take up to 3-4 days it all depends on how many people in the world has your name . and i know more police officers that has more guns in there home than anyone else i know hope this helps i use to sell guns at my last employment so make sure you fill out paper work to the detail when filling it out with no mistakes because they get checked ok the paper work good luck

Answer 10

First, let me say that simply owning a gun, does nothing to help protect you if you don't know how to use, or are unwilling to use it. Keep in mind if you pull a gun on someone else who has one the first person to accuratly shoot is the only one that's going to leave alive.
In order to buy a gun, you must pass a back ground check, and while you don't necessarily have to disclose the prupose, there is specific questions you answer. You do have to be at least 18 to buy firears.
Where to buy? Most sporting goods stores have guns. The price varies by caliber, style, age and so on.
In Utah, concealed weapon permits are not so difficult to get, and allows you to carry your gun in most places. Private property owners can limit your firearm on thier property though. I'd keep mine in my car or other secure locations, if I fealt the need to carry one. If you carry it in the open, there is no need for a concealed weapon permit.
The police shouldn't label you as a bad person for having guns, but they may use more caution around you.