Gun Shopping

The Gun Exchange is just down the street from my place. I have passed by it many times in the last several years with both curiosity and apprehension. I have thought about the Gun Exchange and other gun shops in much the same way that I have thought about XXX stores where they sell sex toys and videos; it's not a place for me to be; going there is not my thing. I have other off-limits locations too; I don't frequent bars. If I had to sum up my feelings about these places in one word, it would be that they are 'taboo.'

Today, I blew away my taboo regarding gun shops. I parked my car and went inside the Gun Exchange. Dennis was behind the counter and immediately asked if he could assist me. I told him I wanted information about buying a gun and what it would take to do it. He answered that it would take about 20 years experience, and we moved forward from there. I received a good but brief education about guns, requirements to own one in California, and training locations.

I was given a written list of pre-purchase instructions and  I found something interesting. I am not qualified to purchase a handgun because Federal requirements to show proof of residency do not allow the address to be a PO Box. My mailing address is a PO Box and it is on my Driver's License. The following are the other optional government documents which fulfill the Federal residence requirement:

• Vehicle Registration -The DMV has my PO Box on my Vehicle Registration, not my physical address.
• Voter Registration - I Vote by Mail - and they list my PO Box on the voting materials
• Tax Bill - I rent, so I don't have a Property Tax Bill
• Military housing agreement - I'm not in the Military
• Permanent Military orders - I'm not in the Military

California accepts a Rental Agreement as Proof of Residence. The Federal government wants a government document and a Rental Agreement doesn't qualify.

I have to request that the DMV update my Vehicle Registration to show my physical address before I can move forward with buying a gun.

I'm going to sign up for a shooting clinic for women, sponsored by the NRA. This will get me started. I was also provided with three target shooting locations around the county. While I was talking with Dennis, he showed me several handguns and discussed with me the advantages and disadvantages of each. He recommended the revolver Smith &Wesson Model 10 38 Special or Model 686 357 Magnum for a first time buyer.

Here's the thing. I fired a 357 Magnum when I was younger and I recall that it had a serious recoil. I am not a fan of  revolvers - they seem too big for me.  I also looked at the Smith & Wesson M&P 9 mm. I like the look and the feel of it. I also like the Springfield Armory XD 9 mm.

Why am I doing this? For my protection.