We're going to call this part one and it is going to cover what I consider to be prerequisites for responsible and purposeful firearms ownership. Let's start with a small list of questions that you should ask yourself before you embark on the journey of firearms ownership.

Why do you want to purchase a firearm?

If it is for protection, are you comfortable with the idea of doing someone immense (or probably fatal) harm in the defense of yourself or others?

Are you mentally well enough to have easy and direct access to a firearm?

Is your living situation such that owning a firearm is safe for those around you? If not, can it be made safe?

Once you purchase a firearm, will you dedicate enough time, energy, and resources to become proficient with it?

I'm not going to pretend that these are easy or quick questions if you haven't thought about them before. Don't just check the boxes, look yourself hard in the mirror. If you come away with insufficient answers, GREAT! It is better to have asked yourself the questions and figured out that it is not for you than to have spent time and money on an object you do not want or need. If you have answered all of the questions in a generally affirmative manner, then we can continue with a few more questions.

What is your use case (concealed carry, home defense, etc.)?

What is your total out the door budget? To include weapon, means of securing it, ammunition, and accessories.

Do you have any physical limitations that might make certain times of firearms impractical to use?

What firearms laws exist in your state?

Based on the answer to these questions, or at least having done some research on them, can greatly expedite your quest for a firearm. Say you live in a state with restrictive gun control laws and you're only worried about home defense, you might choose a shotgun as they are generally legal in every state and will do the job. Juxtapose that with living in a state with loose gun laws and you want to conceal carry, then a compact pistol will be much better suited to your needs. Having an idea of what you need and what is attainable will help relieve stress and make this whole process easier.

In the next post we'll discuss some best practices and some advice for purchasing a firearm and what you will need to do so.

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The US is a shit show and, depending on where you live, downright dangerous. This can be doubly true if you are anything other than a cis-het white man. You want to arm yourself against the various threats that you might face. Before you go out and buy anything else, you need to buy a pepper spray, preferably a gel, and then you need to carry it. Let's go through why I recommend this over anything else for people new to this.

Pepper spray can be used at a distance.

It is (generally) 50 state legal.

It is affordable (obtainable for less than $20) and can easily be purchased online.

It is easy to carry both on and off body.

It is safer to keep around if you struggle with mental health.

"But J, I have this cute cat keychain that I can stab someone with"

No one gets out of close in encounter clean. I don't care if you are 6'2" and 250lbs of Grade A BEEF, you aren't coming out unscathed. As such, you want to create DISTANCE. The other part, is that if you choose to buy and carry a firearm in addition, pepper spray is still something you should carry. There might come a time where there is not a lethal threat to your life, but there still might be a threat. Your assailant might not have a weapon, but you still sure as shit don't want to get your ass beat, BAM pepper spray is an option (to be clear, de-escalation is ALWAYS the first option).

So, go buy a gel pepper spray and carry it. Hell, buy two so you can use one and see how far it shoots, how it reacts to wind, or even how to use it. Then actually carry it. Put in your bag, your purse, your pocket, your bra, your sock...anywhere, just actually have it on you. It does no good sitting in your key bowl by the door or in your bedside drawer.

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