I should buy a gun.
this post was submitted on 10 Jun 2025
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The best time to buy a gun is before you need a gun.
If you have any inkling that you might need a gun, you need to have one right now. It will take a little time to get, it will cost a bit of money. You'll need to buy ammo, cleaning supplies, holster, safe storage, range bag, extra magazines. You'll need to go to the range and practice with it, regularly. You will need to learn safety through that practice. You'll need to learn how to field strip and clean your weapon. You'll need to learn how to handle malfunctions quickly and safely. You'll need to become familiar with gun laws where you live. Depending on where you live, you'll probably want to get a concealed carry license (not applicable everywhere). Then maybe you'll want accessories like better sights, light, magazine loader, scope.
Before all of that, you'll need to decide what gun(s) will satifsy your own needs. Strictly for home defense, shotguns would be great, and they're the cheapest option, too. Some have detachable magazines, some are tube magazine, some are single or double shot break action. Rifles are quite accurate at distance, but they can be on the expensive side.
Semi-automatic pistols come in various sizes; larger have better accuracy, and smaller are more concealable. Revolvers don't leave shell casings on the ground, and should be less susceptible to malfunction, but a malfunction will take more time to clear, and loading is slower. They also hold fewer rounds, generally speaking. Pistol caliber carbines are out there, but they can be quite expensive. If you match the caliber with your pistol, you only need to have one kind of ammo, and the carbine will bring greater accuracy.
With regard to caliber, there are so many options. 9mm for pistols is readily available, and a good choice. 22lr/22 is dirt cheap. I'm not personally versed on shotguns, you'll have to dig into that yourself.
So yeah, there's a lot to it. To repeat, if you find yourself seriously thinking that you might need a gun, the best time to get one was two months ago. The second best time is right now.
Don't let that wall of information scare you. It's not nearly as complicated as it sounds. And depending on your state, you could have one in hand within 45 mins at a gun show.
Shotgun: 12 gauge shells with 00 gauge (aka buck) shot size (smaller number is bigger) is the single most accessible shotgun shell in the states.
It’s also the most useful for home defense. Range is about 20-50 yards, maybe more if you change the choke out of your shotgun. The choke is a small metal tube that screws in on the business end of the barrel and adjusts the spread of the pellets. “Full choke” is the narrowest and “open choke” has the widest spread.
Ask your local gun shop for more info if seeking to purchase a home defense option.
What a great time to have major depression with frequent suicidal ideation. Yes I'm medicated and in therapy.
It's hard, I know. I know.
There are plenty of things you can do to support resistance that don't involve weapons. Information gathering, having a place to shelter people who need it, at some point preparing meals/rations - lots more. In your situation, it will serve you and the community well to build networks with people, so that you can support them and they can support you, especially when things go sideways.
Been slowly transitioning to a redneck area East of LA and been thinking we need guns purely for self defense from these psychos since Trump 1. My sister keeps saying, "Oh don't bother buying guns. My husband has a collection and we can let you have some." It's way beyond time to follow up on the offer.
For pistols, I like my revolver because loading magazines is a pain in the ass.
Buy a loading tool. Basic 3d printed block to push down the follower, even. Makes things much easier
Keep several mags loaded ahead of time. Empty mag, drop it, pop another in. And depending on your pistol and caliber, your mag can hold three or four times what a revolver would. That's my logic - not busting you for your choice that works for you.
I know, I meant more when I’m at the range where you often have to reload magazines a bunch depending on how long you’re there.
Oh oh oh - I have a fantastic loader. I can load my 6 round mags in about ten seconds. Yes, hand loading mags at the range is kind of awful.
I've got a question about ranges. If you have a ghost gun, will that be a problem? Do they check serial numbers?
I've never had anyone check my guns at a range.
You may want to look for open air Wildlife Management Area ranges. They are often unsupervised.
The range I go to doesn't check anything, and it's a "clean, well-lighted place." But they have an RSO on the line at all times, and they definitely watch you.
The time I went to sketchy possibly fascist industrial park range, they didn't even have an RSO on the back line where I was but once every fifteen minutes to peek in the door and then close it again.
You could probably get away with it at a sketchy range, but I wouldn't do it the first time you go. Even then, I might add a "I was curious, have you ever had anyone come in with a 3DP gun?" and see what they say.
Yeah that's going to attract attention for sure, in more ways than one. The ranges I've been to are unmanned.
The only time I've ever had someone check my serial numbers is when I pick a new gun up from the Public Safety Ministry or when I fly, but I'm not American so your experience could be different
Depends what state you're in. I think some states require serials on all homemade guns. In those states, private ranges are probably going to check. But t even then, they probably aren't cross-referencing to see if it's yours.
My state doesn't require serials unless you go to transfer ownership.
Like the other poster said, go to state gamelands if possible. The ranger sometimes stops by to see if you paid for your hunting/range license, but that's about it.
You okay?
Not sure what made you ask that, but yeah, thanks for asking. You?
My guess is they're trying to imply anyone knowledgeable about firearms must be insane.
I should buy a username across all instances.
I just did my pistol permit and will be armed shortly. Not a lot of leftists in the class, just saying.
Remember to eat fibre as you want to be well-regulated.
And will need to have more than one arm. But they don't have to work or be fully formed, and this extends to individuals sharing limbs with a fetus in fetu or conjoined scenario.
Amputees and the unformed are not protected by the constitution. Protest that as you may.
How do you organize and recruit for a good militia without immediately getting arrested?
Pretend you're all Republicans?
Pretend to be conservative, I think.
Edit: I replied from my inbox. As it turns out, I’m not as original as I thought.
"But what kind of conservative are you?"
Tell me some facts about NASCAR right now, without looking at your phone
Oh shit lol. I know they go real fast and turn left sometimes.
Nah, they turn left frequently, pal.
Bake 'em away, toys.
Started because of bootlegging.
Can't believe Danica is driving for that stupid web hosting company
Good luck finding one that isn't infiltrated by CIA or FBI
Isn't that why the leftist militias that currently exist are a pain in the ass to get into?
Frankly good luck finding one that isn't cheering for the LAPD, National Guard, and Marines to "control" civilians.