where can i get a good handgun?

Question

i live in san francisco bay area and would like to purchase a handgun that won't jam easily, is fairly powerful, and does not require earplugs to shoot. which gun would you guys recommend and where can i get it? I'm 18 but i think i need a license. just got a new car in a bad neighborhood and ive seen lots of cars smashed with bricks from people in houses. im keeping it in my glove compartment if anyone wants to try me.

I'm leaving my gun in my glove compartment when I'm driving homo. I'm taking it back to my house after. my neighborhood always has shooting and killings and i've been jumped about 5 times already. One of my friends have been shot in the face 3-4 times and I'm tired of this. If you don't have a good answer then don't bother posting. I can get a gun either way but I want it to be legal.

Answer 1

I smypathize with you, but at 18 no one reputable will be willing to risk selling a handgun to you, the law does say 21. The only ones who will sell to you are the sort that you should be avoiding. Keep in mind these guns you buy illegally could be stolen or already used in other crimes, so you could end up with someone else's problems. Also if you get a gun and use it, even if you do get cleared in self-defense, you will still face weapons charges and I'm nearly ceratin that you would be found guilty on those charges.

Any real pistol is loud enough that I would strongly recommend ear plugs. In your case of self-defense, this isn't exactly do-able. Hopefully you would never need to use it in self-defense, but as long as you don't get into a habit of firing a gun without ear plugs; you shouldn't do too much hearing damage. It won't be like bang...holy s*** I'm deaf!!!! In my younger and dumber years, I would occasionally forget my ear muffs but would still shoot anyways. In retrospect it was dumb but hasn't bothered me to any noticeable amount yet.

Your reason for having a gun is particularly concerning. Defending yourself in a life or death situation is ok, but protecting your property (car) with lethal force will send you to jail. Just be prepared that when you shoot someone in self-defense, you do get arrested and will end up in court and fight to clear your name. It isn't as simple as pop the bad guy, tell the cops your story and head home.
As terrible as this sounds, but giving out $10-20 as "mugger money" each time you get held up sure beats legal fees and jail time while pleading self-defense. Killing someone for mugging you is not likely even going to be enough to win a self-defense plea; the key here is that your life must be in imminent danger.
Anyone "jumping" you is also likely to have a weapon too. If they pull theirs first, your's is worthless. It is also worhtless in the glovebox or house instead of on you at all times.

Answer 2

Taurus makes a good 45...1911-01. Really great for not a bad price (under 600)! Go to a local, reccommended gun store to get the feel of different models; personally I like revolvers (if I need to shoot it, that is all I need!)

I personally reccommend NOT leaving it in the glove compartment, unless of course you are near it! . Someone could just steal it out of your car while sleeping. I don't know for Cali, but you should look into the state/local regs about carrying on your person/in your car. ALWAYS carry the permit with you, and if you get pulled over you MUST announce you have the permit and you are carrying.

But please, use ears when you target practice, your loved ones will appreciate it! And take a safety class if they offer, you can never get too much education!

Answer 3

I'm afraid that your elected officials like Diane Feinstein have decreed that THEY can have guns but YOU cannot. Yes, Diane has a concealed carry permit, but see if an average working man or woman can get one.


Good luck with that one my friend.

These folks claim to be San Francisco's ONLY GUN SHOP.

High Bridge Arms Inc.
Address: 3185 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Phone: [phone]

I don't know how they are getting along, but heck I sure wish them the best. It's on Mission, so it should be centrally located and easy to get to, although parking that car will be a nightmare.

OK, now for the real discussion.

You DO NOT take a life for a brick through your car's window. You don't take a life because some guy punches you.
You don't take a life for getting insulted, yelled at or gestured at.

The only reason you ever would consider using lethal force is if someone's life is in imminent danger of being killed or seriously harmed. I pray that that never happens to you my friend.

Whatever the gun shop tells you, please repect the law and do not get something that's not legal. The law sucks, I know, so do your part to get it changed.

Answer 4

There are a lot of regulations about keeping guns in your car, epically if they are loaded and if they are in reach. You need earplugs for all guns, for practicing anyway, if you are being robbed you won't have time to put in ear plugs. You won't be robbed too often I hope, maybe 3 or 4 shots without protection so anything is OK as long as you don't listen unprotected repeatedly.

You have to be 21 to buy handguns.

Any revolver in .38-.45 is fine for self defense. Revolvers are best for self defense since there is practically no way they can fail. Caliber is based on preference, .38 is fine and is very common but .45 is great too... depends what you like, no real performance difference, the guy isn't going to hang around regardless of what you shoot him with.

I am in Texas so I don't know about your laws but the Castle Doctrine lets us use lethal force to defend ourselves in almost anyplace we have a right to be.... so if they are tossing bricks at your car while you are in it, I think you can use deadly force to defend yourself. If you are not in the car and they are busting the windows I am not sure, a lot of gray areas with this self defense stuff.

No need to be rude man, everyone is posting helpful stuff from what I can tell. You can't legally buy a gun since you are not 21. You can't carry it with you because the government denies you the right to defend yourself. You can't get a concealed carry permit easy since your in The Peoples' Republic of California.... if you prepare yourself to defend yourself from criminals, it in fact makes you a criminal in the eyes of the government. It would be nice if they read the Bill of Rights wouldn't it, they don't care about your rights anyway so it doesn't matter.

Answer 5

1. You can't buy a handgun, you are too young
2. The only handgun you can buy which won't require earplugs is an airgun.
3. You can't get a concealed weapons permit in San Francisco unless you are rich or VERY well connected politically, which you will need to keep the gun loaded in your car within reach.

Answer 6

If you are only 18, forget about purchasing one from an FFL dealer. You cannot purchase a handgun until you are 21. This is a federal law.

Answer 7

First i'm going to suggest you take some training courses. Shooting and killing someone in self defense is not as easy as it sounds. In fact it should be your very last option. As far as handguns are concerned, that all depends on what fits your hand the best.

Answer 8

I think you need to reconsider and start carrying a knife, but the blade has to be at least 7" long to be adequate for self defense.*

Answer 9

You're gonna leave a gun in the glove compartment??? Are you that stupid? Somebody is gonna shoot your foolish *** with your own gun.

Answer 10

try buying a 38 special i dont really know how loud it is but it is small, powerful, and versitle.