Gun FAQ

What license do I need to acquire in order to purchase a gun?

The requirements differ from state to state, but generally in order to purchase a firearm, a valid/current government issued identification is needed. In certain states some form of firearm owners license/permit or identification may be necessary as well. A concealed weapons/handgun/firearm license/permit may expedite the firearms purchase process depending on state laws.

There is no single best handgun option for a first time gun owner. The biggest factors for most first time owners is being comfortable using the firearm and how the firearm is going to be used. A bigger/heavier firearm tends to make the most pleasant shooting experience with respect to every caliber. The amount of training needed to operate different types of handguns varies as well. A larger/heavier double/single action revolver may be the simplest in terms of operation, provide a more pleasant shooting experience and depending on caliber, can be used from everything to target shooting, self defense or hunting.

There is no single best long gun option for a first time gun owner. The biggest factors for most first time owners is being comfortable using the firearm and how the firearm is going to be used. A bigger/heavier firearm tends to make the most pleasant shooting experience with respect to every caliber. The amount of training needed to operate different types of long guns varies as well. A larger/heavier bolt action rifle may be the simplest in terms of operation, provide a more pleasant shooting experience depending on caliber, but would typically be used for target shooting or hunting. A long gun for self defense may be some variant of shotgun or some type of semi-automatic rifle, but both can also be used for sporting/target shooting and hunting as well.

There are 3 main types of handguns: derringers, revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. Others like bolt action or fully automatic do exist but are uncommon and/or have certain additional requirements for ownership.

There are 2 main types of long guns: Shotguns and Rifles, with both types having single shot, break action, bolt action, pump action, lever action and semi automatic variants. Fully automatic variants or machine guns are capable of being owned by civilians, but do have additional requirements in order to be owned.

The National Firearms Act (NFA) covers firearms or certain attachments that can also be referred to as Class III items. These include short barrel rifles (SBR), short barrel shotguns (SBS), machine guns, destructive devices, silencers and a classification called any other weapon (AOW). NFA/Class III items are a federally regulated item and require the buyers fingerprints to be taken to submit for an FBI background check and either a $5 or $200 tax stamp, depending on classification, paid to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.