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Why You Should Visit a Gun Store In Person to Buy a Firearm

17 February 2022

Konsta Laitinen

When buying a firearm for the first time you might treat it much like any other purchase and try to do it online, and while that certainly is a possibility, there are a few reasons why that is not your best option. Online shopping has lulled a lot of people into thinking this is the best way to purchase virtually anything, and while that may be true for some things, it is not the case for guns. Before you click that 'buy now' button, here are a few reasons why you should always go into a gun store if you are going to purchase a firearm.

Online Problems

Perhaps the main reason why you should reconsider buying a gun online is that you still won't be able to have it taken straight to your door. There are federal laws against this, and you will have to pick up the rifle, pistol, or shotgun from a licensed dealer in your area. You will still have to fill out all legal forms and pass the checking process, so you might as well go in and do it in person where you can cut down on the wait and take advantage of some other benefits, particularly when it comes to the two most popular types of firearms. 

Hunting Rifles

The hunting rifle is one of the worst purchases you can make online because it really is a matter of feel and personal preference. It might look all good on the website but if you get it into your hands and it sits awkwardly, digs into your shoulder or something else is wrong, then you have very little recourse. It is far smarter to simply go in and feel how the hunting rifle nestles into your chest, as well as get an understanding of the weight and how it feels to operate so you aren't surprised by anything when you take it out for real.

Handguns

If you want to buy a handgun, you need to ensure a couple of things. First of all, they can look very different online, and the smaller, mobile pistol you thought would be easy to use can actually be quite a handful. What is more important is to be able to see just how versatile the gun is and whether it can withstand what you want it for. If you just want a handgun for safety, then you want one that is extremely well-built and will not jam or fail you when you most need it. However, if you want one for target shooting or hunting, then a much sleeker, more ergonomic build that can handle a bit of rough weather and movement is more your style. You can really only get a feel for this in person. 

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