I know that background checks on gun sales are backed up 4 days where they usually take a half hour at most, and it's reported that most purchases of firearms are people who've not owned a gun before, so I figured I'd put this out there, make of it what you will. Lot of first time gun owners, might be you.

I'm probably not the best person to talk about firearms for personal self defence, I'm more of the "get gone before the situation gets bad" kind of person, and it has served me well over a lifetime. I am a gun owner though and have familiarity with firearms, and we are in the middle of a pandemic, and gun ranges are shut down. You can't take the basic handgun safety course at a range or the "hunter safety" course which is actually all about gun safety.

Your gun came with a cable lock, I'd hope at the least you'd also buy one of those shoe box sized little combo safes. Put your hand on it, push the right fingers, and it's open, you can keep it handy and no kids or other can access the firearm without taking the little lockbox away. A cleaning and lubrication kit are handy too. Lockbox maybe $80, cleaning kit, another 15. You have the net, look at it, google gun safety or something. Learn how to disassemble and re assemble your firearm. Check to make sure it's unloaded every time you pick it up, act as if it's loaded even when it's not, don't ever let the muzzle cover anything you don't want to destroy, make believe a laser is coming out the end of the barrel. Don't put your finger on the trigger until you are about to shoot.

I've just covered 3 of the 4 basic rules of gun safety. The fourth is know your target and what's behind it.

I can understand people who have never owned a gun before wanting to get one at this time, but I have to admit the idea worries me. So much can go wrong. Then again it is your right, and you are an adult, and I guess those kinds of decisions are yours to make. A couple things I suggest people to consider are do you or anyone in your household ever contemplate suicide,,, sorry, has to be said, , do you ever get uncontrollably angry?

Me? I keep ammo out in the barn, empty guns in the safe. I'd load my double barrelled shotgun if things looked to be headed that way but I just doubt they ever will, just my opinion which is no more relevant than your own. We have the second amendment for self protection as well as tyrannical governments. I support you in making your own decisions on the matter.

Oh, and politics. Firearms aren't republican or democrat, they are used in a safe responsible manner, or not. Take any advice on safety from any source, doesn't matter their politics.

Good luck, stay safe and stay healthy.

https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/gun-owner-covid/?fbclid=IwAR0e4aSMJpah...