The first time  firearm owner wishing to be considered a responsible owner must first carefully weigh the decision of  firearm ownership. The decision is made easier with some basic knowledge about firearms and being honest with oneself as far as your reasons, physical limitations and emotional considerations. Firearms are acquired for a variety of purposes such as, hunting, sports, protection, and/or collection. Whatever your purpose for getting a firearm, here are a few things to consider that will help you make the best choice.

There is a huge variety of firearms in every category therefore you must be very specific in the purpose of which you are going to use the firearm. For example, firearms for hunting purposes are divided by the type of hunting you will practice as there is a huge difference between hunting a goose or turkey and hunting a bear or deer. Hunting firearms are designed for long distance shooting due to which reason they have the long barrel nose to provide speed and power. Nevertheless, there are firearms for close range as well.

If you are looking to acquire a firearm for protection purposes you may want to consider your present knowledge about firearms and how much time you are willing to spend in training yourself in using one. There is nothing more dangerous then having a firearm and not knowing how to use it safely/correctly. If you are relatively new to firearms but feel you need one to be safe then it is best you choose a revolver, which is considered the easiest to maneuver. The revolver requires the least amount of maintenance, In contrast, if you are familiar and/or willing to train yourself in using more complex firearms you may opt from the large variety of semi-automatics.

Choose a firearm that you can handle with ease, and consider both size and weight, especially when you are acquiring it just for protection. You will find that there are more firearms than you can choose from and if you are not familiar with them ask the opinion of a professional when acquiring one keeping in mind your specific purpose for it. Firearms can cause fatal injuries to you and others around you if you lose control of it and it is loaded so, handling it with care and responsibility at all times is a must.

Firearms collectors enjoy acquiring them for decoration purposes and usually most collectors have intensive knowledge about each item they purchase. In case you are a new collector of firearms, ensure that you learn about the item first before deciding to acquire it so you will be able to judge and bargain the price accordingly.

Collectors enjoy displaying their firearms around the house, study room or the den for friends and guests to admire. Collectors often make conversation subjects out of the firearms they collect. However, they must take in consideration the need to display them unloaded and if possible in a locked case for the safety of those in the house. Also, firearms need to be safeguarded, especially if they are antique or rare pieces that are extremely valuable.

All firearms need to be cleaned periodically even if you don’t use them at all. Most firearms can be disassembled entirely in order to reach to all the corners and remove even the last particle of dust and dirt collected, which if not cleaned for long periods of time can cause the firearm to jam the trigger. Usually firearms owners learn to clean their firearms themselves and find the process entertaining and educational as they get to know it better. There are also firearms service and maintenance available for those who desire to appeal to professionals in order to ensure that the firearm is in the best possible condition at all times. Instructions on how to use, load, clean and maintain your firearm will be handed to you at the time of purchase or you can find it in specialized manuals of the same.

Storing your firearm safely is another very important factor to consider before acquiring one; most accidents happen because adults place firearms carelessly around the house and they fall into the hands of those who are not trained to use them safely. A safe is usually the best choice to store firearms; you can lock them away when not in use and share the safe combination only with those who can and are allowed to use them.

Try and keep the firearms unloaded when not in use and store away as well as take special care when they are loaded. Frequent accidents that happen with firearms are usually due to the fact that they were loaded when stored away and have accidentally been fired or triggered.

Most US states allow civilians to acquire firearms without requiring a license for the same, as long as they are using it for specific purposes such as, hunting, protection and/or collection. However, there are a few states in which firearms law and regulations are extremely strict and you may require a permit to carry and/or use one while in some states you may not be allowed to possess a firearm under any circumstances whatsoever. It is important you familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations of firearms in the state you live before getting one so you can use it as and when desired.