firearm safety

Firearm Safety in the Home: 4 Rules You Can Live By

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Firearm safety is no joke. More than 500 Americans died from preventable and accidental shootings in 2020. Thousands of others were injured, including small children. 

You need to take several steps to keep guns safe from kids. The first step is to educate yourself about firearm safety, which you can take right now. 

What tools do you need for gun safety? How should you talk to your children about gun safety? What else do you need to prevent besides accidental shootings? 

Answer these questions and you can raise your kids while being a responsible gun owner. Here are four good rules for gun safety.

1. Put Your Gun in a Gun Safe

Every home owner should own at least one gun safe. Your safe should be just big enough to store your gun, and you should put your ammunition in a separate container.

Not all gun safes come alike. A gun box is big enough to store one starter handgun, and it is made of metal. This prevents the gun from getting damaged if you drop the box. 

If you own a rifle, you may want to store it in a gun cabinet or safe. Cabinets tend to be cheaper than safes, and they are lightweight, making them easy to transport. However, safes are sturdier, and you can pick a combination that only you know about. 

You should store your gun with other tools. A trigger lock will prevent your gun from firing accidentally. You can anchor your safe or cabinet to the ground to make it harder to steal or access.

2. Carry Your Gun Carefully

You should treat a gun as though it is loaded, even if you know it isn’t. This means pointing it down at the ground and keeping your finger off the trigger. 

You can put your gun in a holster, but make sure the gun is pointed away from yourself. You should be able to grab your gun and remove it without putting your finger near the trigger. 

Do not remove your gun until you have assessed the situation. You should have a clear sight of your target. Wait for objects or people to move out of the way before you grab your gun.

Keep in mind that the bullet may penetrate through your target and hit someone or something behind it. Take a look behind your target and make sure everything is clear.

You should only use your gun for self-defense as a last resort. Pointing your gun at someone can cause an unintentional shooting or escalate the situation. Use your words or leave the area instead of using force. 

When you are preparing to fire, you should hold your gun using both hands. Hold it at the centerline of your body so the shot does not knock you off balance. 

Extend your arms out and then place your index finger on the trigger. As soon as you fire your shot, you should remove your finger and assess the situation.

3. Talk to Your Children About Firearm Safety

Many children shoot themselves or others by accident, thinking that guns are toys. You should tell your child the difference between a real gun and a fake gun. 

You should then tell your child to never fire your gun without permission. If they see your gun lying on the ground, they should not go near it. 

Do not tell your child what the combination for your safe is. Ask them to stay downstairs while you go and get your firearm. If you use a key, you should keep the key on your person or in a location only you can access, like a high shelf. 

Don’t just talk to your child. Set a good example for them by demonstrating safe practices.

Give them a tutorial on how they can hold a gun without pulling the trigger. You can also bring them to a gun safety course for children.

4. Focus On Preventing Suicides

Locking your gun in a gun safe and teaching your child about gun safety can prevent accidental shootings. But more than 24,000 Americans died by firearm suicide in 2020. Keeping a gun in your home makes it more likely that you or a family member will attempt suicide.

There are several prominent warning signs for suicidal behavior. Someone may talk about wanting to die or research ways to kill themselves. They may withdraw from others or seem anxious or reckless. 

If you or someone you love exhibits these signs, you should get help. You can speak to a therapist and contact someone on a helpline. 

Move your firearm and ammunition so they are out of sight. You can ask a family member or friend to hold your gun for you while you get help. Some police stations and gun clubs also offer storage options for local residents. 

You can also disassemble your firearm and remove the trigger assembly so the gun cannot be fired. If you’re worried about losing pieces, you can store them in different locations in your house and buy spares.

Be Smart on Firearm Safety

Firearm safety involves a few basic steps. Keep your gun stored in a safe away from ammunition. 

You should only pull out your gun once it is safe to do so. Always point it away from yourself and hold it with both hands.

Instruct your children to treat guns as dangerous weapons, not toys. Move your gun out of the house if a family member demonstrates the warning signs of suicide. 

Experts in gun safety are always there. We at Gun Shop Near You connect you with local gun stores. Find a shop near you today.

best handguns

The Best Handguns for Under $500

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Did you know that America is the most armed country in the world? If you combine civilian weaponry with armed forces and police weaponry, there are about 398.7 million guns in the US! With such a demand for guns, cheaper and better handguns are coming into the market each year.

Being easily concealable, handguns are the go-to weapons for anybody who is looking to quietly defend themselves. Do you need a new gun but only have a budget of $500 or less? Read on below and find out about the best handguns for under $500!

Springfield Xds 3.3

The barrel on the Springfield XDS 3.3 is only 3.3 inches, making the handgun lightweight and easy to use. The aftermarket support on the brand is very good should you need to find spare parts or want anything upgraded.

The gun is also found in nearly every gun shop in the country, making it a popular choice. You can expect to pay around $499 but in some cases, you could pay as little as $450. 

Ruger Lc9s

The Ruger LC9s is a mouse gun that does all its work up close and personal and isn’t meant for long-range shooting. One of the most affordable and best micro guns on the market, this upgrade of the LC9 now has adjustable sights built-in.

You can get your hands on one of these micro pistols for about $400.

Beretta Nano

Beretta has never compromised on quality, so you know with the Nano you will be getting a high-quality made pistol, that has the consumer market in mind. Nano is said to shoot just as well as the Glock 43 and is worth taking a look at. 

For under $500, this gun makes a handy backup weapon or concealed firearm, that won’t let you down.

Smith and Wesson J-Frame

The good thing about Smith and Wesson is that you have 15 varieties of J-frame models to choose from, all for under $500.

You can get light alloy frames, shrouded hammers, and even a pink handle should you so wish. With this many options, the J-frame is probably the best-concealed weapon on the market, that you can buy for $500. 

Canik TP9SA

You’ve probably never heard of this Turkish-made poly-frame striker gun. This plastic-made gun goes for very little money but shoots as accurately as any other poly-made gun on the market. The TP9SA is a service gun, yes, but it can be easily concealed and carried for daily use. 

The great part about the TP9SA is that you get an 18+1 capacity and it uses easy to acquire parts, so you can repair and upgrade the weapon with relative ease. You can easily find the gun for $350 or less and wonder why you paid so much for other handguns.

Mossberg Mc1sc

Mossberg is best known for having one of the most popular shotgun series to ever exist but shotguns aren’t the only thing they do. What makes the MC1SC standout is the premium options that you have available.

A flat-faced trigger, diamond-like carbon coating, reversible magazine release, and safe takedown system can all be added to this handgun.

Taurus Millennium G2

For $500 you could buy two of these best handguns if you really wanted. Easily found for under $250, the cheaper price tag definitely doesn’t mean a lack of quality. 

A Taurus can hang with the boys like a Glock 26 or Shield, plus shooters with bigger hands have very little problems, getting a solid grip. The Taurus is the best budget option gun available and shoots as well as guns twice its price.

You’ll have to deal with less pleasing aesthetics but a handgun shouldn’t be bought off looks alone.

Kel-Tec PF9

First introduced in 2006, the PF9 has stood the test of time and is still a popular choice for handgun consumers. Everything on the gun is basic with not much to it, even disassembly for cleaning can be done easily.

The PF9 measures six inches long, four inches high, and .88 inches wide, making the gun easily concealable, even under light clothing. The pistol is reliable and easy to operate. Hardened steel barrels and slides stand up well to years of use. You can expect to pay about $350 for this masterpiece.

Choosing The Best Handguns 

Handguns come in a variety of sizes from different manufacturers. Because you can easily get a full grip on full-size handguns, they are often more comfortable to shoot. Though most modern handguns aren’t particularly heavy, the extra weight of full-sized handguns can reduce recoil significantly.

Larger handguns, on the other hand, are more difficult to conceal, so they’re unlikely to be a good choice for concealed carry.

Always Test Drive Your Choice 

Before you buy a handgun, you must test it out. This is especially true for those who want to use them for self-defense, as you risk not being able to use them properly when the situation arises.

As a result, a trip to a gun range is an absolute must for anyone looking for their first handgun. You’ll also be able to try out different calibers, barrel lengths, and other features to see which ones you prefer.

Learning proper gun safety is also essential, as a firearm (even when not in use) poses a threat to everyone in the vicinity if proper behavior is not followed.

Attending a safety course, where certified instructors will provide you with all of the necessary information to safely handle a gun, is the best way to educate yourself.

Choosing Can Seem Difficult 

When looking at a list of the best handguns and trying to choose which one is for you, you might seem overwhelmed. The truth is, nobody can help you make this decision as everything is based on your personal preferences. 

The trick is to be informed and do your research, you can make the best gun decisions if you’re armed with the right information. 

If you’d like more bespoke advice, check out our blog for everything and anything gun-related, we’ve got you covered, start with this article on starter handguns for more information!