Your Very First Trip To The Gun Store
Whether you're thinking of buying a weapon for hunting or self-protection, your very first trip to the gun store is bound to be memorable — and probably also a little anxiety-inducing. There is just something so powerful about being in the presence of so many different weapons, all with different purposes and histories. If you want your first visit to the gun store to be primarily a good, memorable experience, then you will want to follow these tips.
You can bring one friend, but not a whole crew
While there is nothing to explicitly forbid you from bringing a whole crew of friends with you to the gun store, doing so is not a good idea. It makes it harder for the salesperson to focus on working directly with you, the person interested in buying the gun. Gun store employees have to be very aware of safety, and it's not good etiquette to expect them to monitor that many people. So, if you need some emotional support or feedback, bring one friend along with you — but leave everyone else at home.
Don't joke about anything violent or illegal
If you are the kind of person who makes jokes when they are feeling awkward, then make sure you watch this. Gun stores take their trade very seriously, and jokes about violence and illegal acts — even if you do not mean them — are in poor taste. Remember: the store employee does not know you well enough to know that you are joking.
Treat all guns as if they are loaded
This is the first rule of gun safety, and you need to adhere to it even in the gun store. Whenever the employee hands you a gun for you to practice handling, leave your finger off the trigger. Always point it down — never at someone. Most gun clerks will visually show you that a gun is clear and unloaded before handing it to you, but you should still adhere to these protocols as to not scare other patrons or employees.
Ask questions
As a first-time gun shopper, you're obviously not going to know everything. It is better to admit this and to ask questions than to just pretend you understand something you don't truly understand. There is no reason to be embarrassed; gun store employees are trained to help customers like you.
If you follow the tips above, you should have a good and successful first trip to the gun store.