PICK YOUR PISTOL

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE SELECTING A HANDGUN

- DANA BENNER

There’s a great deal of responsibility to owning any firearm, especially a handgun. So, before you run out and purchase one, ask yourself, “Why?” If you can’t honestly answer this question sensibly, I hope this article helps you figure it out.The purchase of any firearm should never be an impulse buy, and it shouldn’t be bought because it’s the “cool” thing to do. Firearms are not toys or pieces of jewelry to be flashed around; firearms are tools—dangerous tools that need to be treated with the utmost respect.

BEFORE YOU BUY

Do your homework. Know what you’re looking for, how much you’re willing to pay and what your main purpose is for purchasing a handgun. This will help you know whether you want a semi-automatic or a revolver (see the sidebar on page 76). Stick to your plan, and don’t let the person behind the counter sway you one way or the other. If you don’t, you’re likely to walk out with a handgun that isn’t exactly what you want and for which you paid more than you intended to spend. There’s nothing to say you have to make the purchase right then and there. Shop around.

You should also learn about the legal rights and responsibilities that come with handgun ownership and usage. Laws vary by jurisdiction, so be sure to include areas in which you expect to carry your gun in your research.