Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Hello everyone! I have never owned a weapon nor had my parents until recently. I now live on my own with my girlfriend and my 2 yr. old son. I want to purchase a pistol to keep in my house and possibly on me at all times. maybe one for each. as I said before I have no previous or existing knowledge of guns. so I need help. what kind? what size? what caliber? what brand? I'm looking to spend no more than $500. Any and all advice will be helpful. Thanks

Be gone to the local range to rent some guns and see what you like!

For one on your person at all times: While VA does allow legal open carry, there are times that concealed carry may be more prudent. You'll need to take a CHP course and visit your circuit court clerk with the certificate of completion and $50 to get your Concealed Handgun Permit (CHP).

Plenty of CHP courses to choose from, from online that incorporates no practical skills exercises (intended for people that are already familiarized with gun use and safety ( Watch Proshooter come poopoo on this type because he sells...) to more extensive classes that include gun handling, live fire exercises, etc.

Welcome to freedom!

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Welcome to the forum! What Shotgunblast and SpanishInquisition said.

Take a class. Get a gun safe. With a child in the house a gun safe is of the utmost importance. At this point, you need enough safe to keep curious children from access and to deter a common thief. Take a class. Get a safe.

That's the serious stuff. Don't forget to have fun!

After you buy your first gun, you will discover that the safe fills up quick and you need a new safe. There is no way to prevent this as nature abhors a vaccum and gun nuts abhor an empty safe. You can never have a big enough safe and you will end up playing "gun safe Tetris" every time you go to the range. I'm amazed at my ability to rearrange my safe's contents upon the arrival of each new purchase. I'm doubly amazed at my ability to facilitate said process before my lovely bride realizes that a new purchase has been made.

Welcome aboard!

I'd suggest adding a post under the "Tidewater" area forum asking if anyone wants to take a new guy to a local range. I'm not from the area, so I on;t even know what shooting ranges are available.

As far as caliber is concerned, I prefer 40 Smith and Wesson (S&W). Other options include .380, 9mm and .45 in semi-auto flavors and .38 special if you prefer a revolver. My first carry gun was a .38 special revolver. It was a good way to get used to carrying, in my opinion.

Welcome to VGOF!

Head down to Bob's Gun Shop in Norfolk if you want to shoot 'em before you buy 'em.

http://www.bobsgunshop.com/

SpanishInquisition wrote:
Plenty of CHP courses to choose from, from online that incorporates no practical skills exercises (intended for people that are already familiarized with gun use and safety ( Watch Proshooter come poopoo on this type because he sells...) to more extensive classes that include gun handling, live fire exercises, etc.

Yep, the mere mention of an online CHP class draws my inner poo-pooing to the surface.

Take a real class, with a real live instructor. I would suggest the NRA Basic Pistol Shooting class.

If you have any questions, please feel free to pm me.

Jim

Never owned a weapon?
Now live with girlfriend and 2 yr. old son?
Want to purchase a pistol to keep in house and possibly on person at all times?

Friend, you need a basic handgun handling and safety class and a gun safe like a dead man needs a coffin. You need that before you get a gun. Please do it that way. This stuff is not a good thing to learn by trial and error.

At the very least, find some experienced shooters that will take you out and show you the basics to determine if you want a gun after all. Then definitely get some training.

Get your girlfriend on board, OP. I'm guessing that you intend for her to be able to use a gun, if necessary, so she needs to be educated, too.

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