Is this a proper place to ask advice about the purchase of guns?

[Mike 03]

There are a lot of rules around here at DU, and I respect them, so I just want to find a place where I can freely ask questions about the characteristics of particular guns and how to purchase them.

It's not clear to me if this is the right forum or not.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Mike

[doctor jazz]

1. Hi, well I am a newcomer here so I don't know about all the details of the rules but I know

something about guns and if I can help I would be happy to

[Dead_Parrot]

2. I think you want the "Outdoor life" group

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=271

This is more for policy issues, from what I can gather. Hopefully the mods will shift the thread for you.

[sandnsea]

4. People ask gun buying questions here

I think the Outdoor Life group prefers gun questions stay here. But I could be wrong about that.

[sandnsea]

3. Can you kill someone?

Make sure you can, otherwise your gun can be turned against you.

Gun vault. Trigger lock. Always treat the gun as if it IS loaded, that way you never have an accidental discharge. The most careful person can miscount shells, etc.

Do you really think the chance that your gun will be stolen and end up killing a kid is worth the false sense of security you will get, which in a small town a barking dog will be a better deterant anyway.

[spin]

6. While this is excellent advise for the defensive use of firearms...

the poster did not state the reason for his purchase.

Perhaps he is interested in a firearm for target shooting or for hunting. Many firearms that would be excellent choices for these activities would be poor choices for self defense.

Archery is a example of a sport that many people find interesting for target shooting or hunting but is rarely used for killing other people in today's world.

But if the poster does purchase a firearm either for self defense or for more mundane use, the basic advise you give is essential.

[sandnsea]

7. He did in GD

when he first posed the question.

[spin]

10. If he was interested in a firearm for self defense...

the first rule is that you absolutely have to be able to use the weapon even if it results in your target being severely injured or killed. The second rule is that you absolutely have to have a damn good reason for shooting someone. For example, the very real threat of serious bodily injury or death from the individual who is threatening you.

Otherwise it's better not to own one.

[rl6214]

15. Your arguement can be turned against you...

Make sure you can, otherwise your gun can be turned against you. NOT GONNA HAPPEN. I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND COULD FIND NO REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING IN THE FIRST FEW PAGES OF SEARCHING.

Gun vault. Trigger lock. Always treat the gun as if it IS loaded, that way you never have an accidental NEGLIGENT DISCHARGE...THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN ACCIDENTAL discharge. The most careful person can miscount shells, etc.

Do you really think the chance that your gun will be stolen and end up killing a kid is worth the false sense of security you will get, which in a small town a barking dog will be a better deterant anyway. DO YOU REALLY THINK THE CHANCE THAT YOU COULD STOP SOMEONE FROM KILLING OR RAPING SOMEONE YOU KNOW AND LOVE IS WORTH THE CHANCE YOU ARE TAKING OF NOT GETTING A CCL AND CARRYING REGULARLY?

[ixion]

5. hey mike... I just went through the purchase of a shotgun... so ask away

I'll tell you what I know. :)

[Old Codger]

8. Don't know why

Or what you have in mind but ask all you want lots of knowledgeable folks here-a-bouts, used to be a dealer myself but that was a while ago and lots of changes have taken place. That said basically guns are guns,they are dangerous for sure and need to be treated with great respect and care.

[Tim01]

9. This is a democratic/progressive forum that happens to have a gun section.

You might get better answers at a gun forum.

[spin]

11. First explain the reason you wish to buy the firearm for...

I have seem some posts that did get a lot very good responses.

[FudaFuda]

12. 4 Rules

if you're new to shooting and firearms generally, learn these rules until it is ingrained in your behavior subconsciously:

RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED

RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY

RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET

RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET


you can find more detailed discussion/explanation of these rules by google "4 rules of gun safety"

as for what kind of firearm suits your concern or need, I agree with Tim01 - there are gun discussion boards that will serve you better. I participate at one where political discussion is not allowed and I know of at least one other freqeuntly posting DU'er who is also a member there. It is simply and only a discussion of firearms issues, and the regulars there know their stuff. Feel free to pm me about it.

[Caliman73]

13. California has 6 rules

1. Treat all guns as if they are loaded.
2. Keep the gun pointed in the safest possible direction.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
4. Know your target, its surroundings and beyond.
5. Know how to properly operate your gun.
6. Store your gun safely and securely to prevent unauthorized use.
Guns and ammunition should be stored separately.

Your state government website should also have information about purchasing firearms. A free standing firearms forum should be helpful although politics always comes out when discussing firearms. I think that being here and asking liberals, progressives, and moderates of the Democratic persuasion who own firearms is a decent starting point. As I said in the GU post, remember that it is a very serious decision. You are going to get extreme responses from each side. Ultimately you have to determine whether the risks are worth the benefits.

[krispos42]

14. If the purpose of the gun is self-defense, then this is the proper forum for it

If it is for hunting, competition, collecting, or plinking, it belongs in the Outdoor Life Group. You're a donor, so you won't have any problem posting in there.

[Old Codger]

16. Should have posted this earlier

A good link for laws in all the states

http://www.handgunlaw.us/