Should I Buy A Gun? 7 Things To Consider


Man shooting a pistol

Today, most people have decided that they want to arm themselves. There are many options. You can order a pocket knife online or even get pepper spray. However, most people want to have a lethal weapon that could work long-range. Because getting close to a hostile can be dangerous, having a gun is beneficial. It reduces the risk of getting injured and overall is wise. 

Now, individuals who use guns daily are usually law-enforcement personnel. It’s challenging to get your hands on a pistol these days. You need to prove you’ll use it for valid reasons. Only then will you get your license. Now, it doesn’t end there. You’ll need to purchase a gun to your liking and later spend time at the shooting range with it.

Overall, it’s a troublesome task. However, in this post, I’ll cover the topic of whether you should buy a gun for yourself. It’s essential to note that I am all for owning a pistol or a rifle. But, I’ll present the disadvantages and benefits having one has. 

Getting a gun license

Driver's license in a pocket
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Ordering a pocket knife online is simple. All you need to do is write your credit card details, and bam, you have a knife for whatever reason. However, getting a gun can present different problems. The problem we’ll talk about in this section is getting the legal license to get a gun. 

In most regulated countries, you can own a pistol. Now, if you have your license, you can move around with it in public. Therefore, you’ll constantly have the protection you sought all this time. For that reason, it’s highly beneficial to have a pistol you can carry on you at all times. 

Nevertheless, it’s still tough to get to that point. It can consume your precious time and may not be worth it to some people. On the contrary, I believe it to be a long-term investment. You spend some time researching, and eventually, you’ll come up with a plan to get yourself that license. 

In most states and regulated countries, it’s going to be a simple process for you to get your gun license. You’ll apply to the local authority that’s responsible for the ownage of guns. If they find it applicable to get a pistol for yourself for a reason you mentioned, you’ll get a license. 

Contrary to that, if you have any criminal history or they suspect you have malicious intentions with using any weapon, you’ll not be able to get yourself that license. 

Every state has its local laws. Before applying yourself to the local authorities, ensure you research the list of demands you need to fit. Later, if you match all of them, assure you demand yourself immediately. That way, you’ll be able to get that license. Overall, it’s a long process. But, eventually, If you have valid reasons, there’s no reason for you not to get it. 

Spending time with the gun

A man holding a pistol
Image by Sammy-Williams from Pixabay 

After getting your license, you go to a local gunshop, and you get a pistol. Now, are you ready to defend yourself with it? I would guess not. In my service in the military, I have realized many issues about using a gun. One problem is that you have to shoot all the time. Not only that, but you need to improve your shooting and the way you use it. 

That is all time you’re spending on it. When you have a knife, you don’t spend as much time with it. You may go to self-defense classes. However, having a gun takes time. For that reason, many people prefer having a self-defense weapon that takes less responsibility. Such as pepper spray. 

You must understand the consequences of having a pistol. Although you may defend yourself and others until you get to that point, you need to work hard. You are required to improve your shooting abilities every single week. 

In countries where gun laws are regulated, there is a list of demands to moving around with a gun. One of them is that you need to spend X time in the shooting range every month. If you don’t and get caught, they might take away your license. Because of that, before getting a pistol, check your local laws regarding the ownage of weapons, such as guns. 

Now, although it’s hard to hold onto a gun, it’s worth it. The time you spend in the shooting range will convert to self-defense capability. Not only that, you’ll be able to defend others around you. You are the individual that causes people to walk outside safely. You have a responsibility to protect yourself and others around you. Use it wisely.  

Expenses

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Image by Frantisek Krejci from Pixabay

Owning a gun has many expenses. Getting a non-lethal weapon or a self-defense tool like pepper spray or a knife is a one-time expense. You buy it, either online or in a local shop, and you can use it. A gun is different. First, you get your license, which isn’t free. Later, you get yourself the pistol itself, which is expensive. After that, you visit the shooting range and buy ammo for your gun. That is all money. 

In some countries, getting your gun license is free. However, there are many states or countries where you need to spend money to get your permit. This money may be on transportation or applying the application forms.

Later, you buy the pistol you’re going to use. Now, a gun is expensive. The price range starts from $100 and can get up to $2000 for a single weapon. If you know your finances, that could be a hit in your pocket. Although I believe the price is low compared to the defense that you’ll get. 

The last expense you’ll stumble upon is ammo. Ammo is not as expensive as the other expenses. However, you’ll buy plenty of it. It usually comes in packages, and the price changes for the type you’re buying. Lastly, if your weapon ever breaks, you’ll have to fix it, which is more money. 

Do you want to get through all this trouble? 

As I’ve mentioned previously, getting one in the first place is rough. Then, you’ll need to spend even more time with it, constantly improving. For that reason, it may be tough to get one. However, with the right mindset and will, anyone can get their hands on such a self-defense weapon

However, before applying yourself for a license, I advise you to check your country’s local laws regarding the possession of self-defense weapons. That way, you’ll know if you are capable of getting the license. If you are not, for any reason, then the trouble may not be worth the outcome. You may spend all this time trying to get a pistol, only to end up failing. 

Contrary to that, if you’re capable of getting one for yourself, by all means, do it. You must understand the consequences and benefits such a tool can provide. For instance, you’ll never worry about self-defense ever again. You will always be at an advantage against any hostile. Secondly, you will be able to defend your family and others around you. That’s an advantage many people seek in their lives. 

On the other hand, you’ll need to be responsible and take care of it. If you don’t, who knows what you can cause. There were many incidents of people accidentally firing and causing harm. If you’re responsible for yourself and others, it will never happen. However, one moment of not being responsible can cause damage. 

Are you ready to continually improve?

Question mark
Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay

As I’ve said, one of the responsibilities you’ll have when owning a gun is constantly improve. No man will check on you. But, you must understand that it’s a demand. If you’ll be a terrible shooter and never practice this skill, you’ll miss the hostile. Heck, you might even harm an innocent individual.

However, if you develop your shooting abilities, you’ll find that when the time comes, and you may need to use it, you’ll hit your target. That’s how it works. 

In my military service, I learned that only repetition creates perfection. For example, you’ll never become the best writer unless you regularly write. You’ll never be the best speaker unless you constantly speak. The same applies to shooting. You’ll not become a sound shooter by not shooting. If you continually use your pistol and spend time at the shooting range, you’ll become better. 

If you aren’t ready to spend time practicing, don’t bother getting a pistol. Instead, get a pocket knife. It’s easy to use, and you’ll have no trouble at all acting in a risky situation. I’m not saying it in an evil way, not at all. Get yourself a pocket knife. I know many people who prefer to get such a weapon other than a pistol. It’s more simple to get and hold.

Responsibility

When you carry a lethal weapon, you have responsibility. To keep yourself safe, but most importantly, others around you. When you get a pistol, the government approves you as appropriate personnel. For that reason, you require to act in a certain way. There are rules you can’t override. 

For example, you can’t play around with it. It’s not a damn toy. Instead, treat it as a lethal weapon, one that is capable of taking a life. The next time you notice anyone playing around with a deadly weapon, be responsible. Don’t let it continue. There were many incidents where a person without any intents took life by accident. It happens. Don’t let it be yourself who experiences such events. 

In addition, when you move around in public with a pistol, you need to act if you notice any severe event. Of course, if police are involved, let the police do the job. However, if an individual is seeking help, don’t let him be. Instead, assist him. That’s your responsibility. 

Be ready to use it

Man shooting a pistol
Image by satellitov from Pixabay

Most people get their license, buy a gun and then never use it on anyone. That’s how it’s supposed to be. However, if you ever need to act, and I hope you never need to, use your weapon. You must understand the consequences of a self-defense scenario. You may shoot at targets at the shooting range. However, using it for real is not the same. It takes courage and lots of practice. 

Because of that, you need to practice with it. If you use it for enough repetitions, you’ll notice that you’ll start doing it automatically. You receive the command to shoot, and you do it. No thinking. That’s a sign you’ll use it in a real threatening scenario. 

Ensure you are not the individual not to use it when he needs to. It can happen with any self-defense tool. It may even be hard to use pepper spray on a person. However, you bought it for a reason, defending yourself. If you are in danger, and using the weapon may save you or others, use it. 

Conclusion

There are many reasons for one to get a pistol. It’s compact, lethal, lightweight, accessible, and you can carry it concealed. In my opinion, it’s the ultimate self-defense weapon. It’s long-range, which means you have an advantage on any hostility that comes to you. It’s accurate. So, you can shoot your shot and disable an attacker. Overall, it functions well for self-defense purposes.

However, there are many reasons not to get one. Getting one is a clumsy process and can take up to a month. It’s pricey, so you may need to loosen up your pocket to buy one. Lastly, it’s lethal. Which means it may be hard to use on an actual person. For these reasons, you may want to consider the reasons I’ve presented. Finally, I recommend you arm yourself with a gun. That way, you’ll be able to protect yourself and others surrounding you. 

Levi

I've served in the military as a special forces operator for 4-years. In that period, I've trained in many martial arts, including karate, MMA, BJJ, boxing, and even Krav Maga. I want to share my passion with you, so here it is!

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