Firearms are hot sellers these days, with many buyers doubling as first-time gun owners. So how do you choose the firearm that’s right for your needs? And what do you need to know to make sure you’re a responsible and safe gun owner.
Dave Newman owns Concealed Carry NOLA, a handgun training facility in New Orleans. He joined WWL Radio to run down the do’s and don’ts of gun ownership and what you need to know as a first-time buyer.
“The first problem a lot of people have,” Newman said, “is first they’ve got to decide what they’re going to use the firearm for.”
Newman advises against high-powered rifles like AR-15’s if your goal is home defense. “It’s a high-velocity rifle round. It’s probably going to over-penetrate and go through walls and hurt people in the next room or even the house next door.”
Newman said, when shopping for a weapon for self-defense, there’s certain criteria the gun must meet.
“It’s gotta be reliable,” Newman said. “Because this is your insurance policy against somebody harming you or your family.”
Newman said ease of operation is high on the list as well.
“How well can you shoot this thing? Because if you can’t hit your target with it, what’s the point of having it?” posited Newman.
Ability to hit one’s target also matters when considering how many rounds the weapon holds.
“Statistics according to the FBI show that people are going to miss a lot under the stress of the moment,” Newman said. “Your adrenaline’s pumping.
Your heart’s jumping out of your chest. Your hands are starting to shake. Your getting tunnel vision, auditory exclusion, time dilation… all these things are going to happen to you that cause you to throw off your shot.”
“It’s very important to understand that you’re going to need more rounds because you’re probably going to miss,” Newman said.
Newman also said you get what you pay for.
“Revolvers tend to be very reliable, but they still have to be a quality revolver,” Newman said. “How do you make anything cheaper? You make it out of cheaper parts, right? So the same thing’s gonna apply to any handgun, either a revolver or a semi-auto.
“So when people ask me… how much should I spend, my first question to them is, ‘How much is your life worth?’” Newman said. “This is your insurance policy to save your life if someone’s attacking you. You buy a $180 gun, it’s not gonna work like a $500. I don’t care if it’s a revolver or a semi-automatic.”