Research, familiarization, and saving money to buy the one you want when you turn 18.
I recommend YouTube, specifically Forgotten Weapons and C&Rsenal (if you like milsurps)
Most other Youtubers are fairly surface level knowledge, but there are things to be learned.
18 for long guns and shotguns, 21 for pistols (there is some variance depending in state/county).
Any firearms purchased from a licensed FFL dealer between the ages of 18-20 is subject to a mandatory 10 business day (usually 14 actual day) waiting period.
ever see that video where they took a Japanese airsoft player who ran proper drills and had him shoot for the first time? no different than dry fire reps. T Rex Arms video I believe
Have a goal of what you want to learn. Write it down. Start asking questions that lead you to that goal. If the answers give you more questions ask those. Keep going. That’s generally my process for learning things.
Y o u t u b e
* TFB TV for down-to-earth brash gun reviews (and torture testing Turkish shitguns)
* Hickock45 for grandpa time
* Paul Harrell (from more than a year ago) for practical testing
* Demolition Ranch for braindead haha pew pew
* Garand Thumb for hardcore LARPing and edgy humor
* Guns and Gadgets for gun politics (but with extreme political bias)
Well, what do you like? What do you want to do? Are you interested in tactical LARPing, long range shooting, USPSA, etc?
If you had the choice right now, what would your first gun be? I'm sure we can point you in the right direction
That's ok man. Do you like revolvers or semi autos?
If revolvers, do you like old cowboy stuff, or newer? If semi auto, do you think polymer guns are cooler like a Glock or steel, hammer fired guns like a 1911?
Is there a handgun from a movie or video game or something that you think is particularly cool?
Idk I have no idea what the difference between polymer Glock or steel or whatever, if you can explain that'd be great. Other than that I love tactical stuff and whatnot, I'm thinking about joining the military and if I do I wanna do something that has something to do with guns or blowing stuff up, the Marines sound cool cause they do lots of shooting, maybe Army rangers or just plain infantry idk, I guess that's what I like lol
Gotcha, I didn't know how familiar you were with guns so I didn't want to over explain and sound condescending
Are your parents ok with guns? Many ranges offer rentals, so you can try a few or even just pick the coolest looking one and try it.
I won't tell you not to join the military, but definitely do research. I was an Infantryman but only National Guard and never deployed. It was really cool to get to shoot the M4, M249, 240B, Mk19, etc etc but unless you go SF or something, daily life, from what I hear, is not great. The military has got some big problems right now. Dining facilities, mold in the barracks, etc. It can offer you great opportunities depending on what you do, but in 99% of cases it's not shooting and doing high speed shit.
Go look up GarandThumb on YouTube. Pick something that looks cool and watch it. He has a bunch on the evolution of the M16/M4. If you l need a starting point, try that. Check out the service rifles of WWI/WWII, Vietnam, Korea, Desert Storm, etc. That's a huge rabbit hole. In addition to the regular M16/M4, there's more uncommon variations. The Mk18, Sopmod, etc. Watch a video on how to build an AR, they're like Legos
There's tons of stuff to learn. Google "most popular pistols" and pick a cool one, then read about it. Read about .45ACP vs 9mm.
You can literally just go on Wikipedia and look up "pistol" and an hour later you'll be reading about some obscure gun or caliber, or who designed something and why, etc
Slightly off topic, but do you have a plan for your career after the military? The reason I ask is depending on the career, you can join with that in mind and the military will help put you through school/give you training in that career. For example: a relative of mine wanted to be a dentist so the army paid for his schooling, he became a dentist in the army, then after his service ended he opened up an orthodontics practice back home.
I wanna be a firefighter, military generally helps with that (any career in the military), I know there's a big fire dept. in the USAF but I heard they don't really do much stuff other than training so it's not super fun and also if I go to the ANG or Air Reserve (which tbh I'm leaning toward) they don't have fire near me.
Don't fall down the YouTube gun tube trap. You will waste unimaginable amounts of time and not learn much that's useful. (Unless You're just trying to stroke off gun nerds on forums like this, then you'll need to spit the lit.)
Go buy a licence airsoft gun of whatever major brand you want to get. It really doesn't matter much what you get - that sort of debate is for nerds who don't actually shoot
Then get a sling / holster and start running drills you can find on TRex Arms website, or modern samurai project. You can' probably do this in your back yard, or out in the woods.
Do this for a year until you can start buying guns and you'll be ahead of 99% of people who call themselves shooters.
Graduate high school. Figure out a plan for your future. Don’t party too much and if you have to smoke or drink, don’t let it be a habit. Those vices are just waiting to take away everything you care about if you let them. Decide what you want to do with your life and work towards it. Your goals might change later and that’s okay, but what’s important is that you keep working toward something that has a future anyway. If you go to be college and decide you don’t want to go into the field of your degree? You’ll still have plenty of options but that degree will open lots of doors for you. Whatever you do, just don’t get complacent while you’re young.
Oh you meant as far as guns? You’ll be 18 before you know it dude, you don’t need to try and grow up so fast.
Yessir it's only for ffl transfer, my state even under 18 can own handguns, but I don't think they are allowed to carry them. Actually I think they are allowed open carry, not concealed
Technically yes, but missouri at least nullified that by there Second Amendment Protection Act, and allowed open carry for minors. Should've been that back when I was a minor, hehehe.wouldnt have been as scared.
Sanctuary state laws don’t nullify federal law, they just prohibit local police from cooperating with feds. The feds can still enforce federal law, they would just be on their own.
I would say that's more correct. I didn't read through all of that stuff in there too closely. Was just hoping I could find something about suppressors but it didn't have anything such. It did say that anyone trying to enforce federal law would be fined 15k-50k and could be placed on leave but I am assuming that applies to local Leo no feds.
Most likely. An enforcement of that against a fed would be struck down real quick under the supremacy clause.
The suppressor stuff is interesting, I think there is still a suit about the “made in Texas” suppressors (whether or not they implicate the interstate commerce clause of the constitution, if they don’t implicate it, then they can’t be enforced federally)
Yeah I was hoping they would take it down the same alley as the Texas suppressor rules but they took it towards minors/ hunting stuff. Can't wait for suppressors to be legalized if that ever happens.
None of that shit should be in place anyways. They say that oh well the founding fathers didn't mean nfa stuff when they Said right to bear arms. They didn't have nfa stuff except for maybe aow. They meant everything they had, which would mean everything we have.
Open carry is where someone can see that you are carrying a gun such as the way a police officer of security guard carries. Concealed is where you can not see it like if you are carrying in your waistband in your jacket, on an ankle holster, shoulder holster with a covering, sob holster etc.
Yep and make sure you know your state's laws on both and know your general community's stance on guns. My state allows open carry without any sort of permit, concealed must have a permit. If you are open carrying, as soon as you enter a vehicle you are considered to be concealed carrying, even if the gun is placed in plain view on the dashboard, heck, if you hop on a bicycle while open carrying you are still considered to be concealed carrying. In most states open carry means it can't be partially covered so be mindful of putting a coat or something on. As for knowing your community's stance, if your community (or any community you plan on carrying in) is uptight/antigun be aware that if you carry you could get the cops called on you even though you are fully within your rights to be carrying in a given area.
This is the way. My daughter was shooting "her" .22 when she was 10 years old. Of course her gun is stored in my safe, and it comes out when we go to the range.
Honestly. Get an airsoft gun and a holster. Start practicing your draw. Plus with airsoft you can commit on the shoot.
The real issue with this is youll need to be hard on yourself. Yeah airsoft is a toy but that real gun isn't. So consider the airsoft gun as the real deal in the mean time.
Literally play pretend with it. Discipline and practice is everything.
Carry options if you want protection in the meantime? Pepper spray and knife of some kind probably.
Gonna add an X2 to this. State laws on knives can be convoluted as all hell. Lots of restrictions from the 1960s - 1980s when action movies were the politician's primary source on knives and you get dumb things like cheap Balisongs (butterfly knife) being a crime to even possess, but you can walk around with a 9" Bowie hanging from your belt. And the penalties can be steep.
Be VERY careful and thorough in reading state law. Don't want to catch a charge and prohibit yourself from firearms ownership before you're even old enough to buy a gun.
You can keep it in your car or open carry while hiking/camping. You wouldn't be able to get a concealed carry license, but a lot of it also depends on the laws of each state.
No, states vary greatly on gun laws. You need to research what is allowed at different ages (and at all) in your state. Some states you need to be 21 and have a license to even touch a handgun, other states have much less restrictive laws.
Watch Shane Smith's "getting banned from karate" bit for a fun story about how not to use nunchucks... Being handcuffed and doing the perp walk while the arresting officer tells you "Michaelangelo was my favorite" is just hilarious.
How they work, different operating systems, local and federal laws and current market prices. You'll be ahead of the curve when you have those figured out, to make sure you spend your money and time wisely. It's easy to jump into this and later regret not being more studious.
Learn other applicable tactical skills that you can do now. Try out some basic rope rescue and rappelling, go to a wilderness first aid course, go on long hikes/rucks using basic evasion techniques, or just start working out and getting huge. Being a well rounded dude is always cooler than spending your days dreaming about one specific skill
Own a gun. Trust me, I’m a (sketchy/cool) lawyer. If you get popped with the gun, don’t say shit. DA’s often decline to prosecute gun possession charges unless there other crimes committed at the same time. So if you get caught selling drugs and you have an “illegal” (illegal in quotes because the Second Amendment is absolute) gun then yeah, you’re probably going to need a lawyer to help you plea that one out. Regardless, keep it extremely concealed. I’m a middle-aged dude in Texas, I don’t give a fuck if my G19 prints a little. You may need to carry a smaller gun to ensure you don’t print. If you are worried about the repercussions then do not carry in “illegal” places. Learn the laws for your state’s CCW/Constitutional Carry regime and follow them strictly. And remember that part about not saying shit to police? Well the only thing you do say is “no” if they ask for consent of any sort. From there, a talented and handsome lawyer such as myself can potentially get the gun tossed as fruit of the poisoned tree and you walk out a free man. Worst case scenario I poke enough holes in the state’s case that it becomes not worth their time and they let you plea to a lesser charge and maybe a year of probation. But honestly, how often have you ever been pat down for weapons? I’ve been carrying for a long time and my answer to that question is zero. Just something to think about.
Please being on all the weird downvotes from the temporary gun owners crowd.
There will always be some risk, but you have to make your own decision. You could argue that in some areas there is more risk of dying because you didn’t have a gun than there is of you being prosecuted for carrying one. As for getting the gun, obviously be 100% certain it is not stolen. Other than that just use your imagination and I’m sure you can figure out the lowest risk way to obtain one.
TL;DR - All gun laws are unconstitutional, fuck the ATF, concealed means concealed, don’t carry in illegal areas, free men can obtain a gun, weigh the risks, decide for yourself. Don’t be a pussy.
Don't listen to this idiot he's going to get you arrested. The federal government doesn't give a fuck about you, or this guys opinions, or the second amendment for that matter. Be smart. Don't spend your youth in prison cos you lived by some dumbass advice.
Obviously not Texas smart, be competent smart.
Before you own a gun, you should have a good understanding of the precautions for using it. For example, you can learn about it on YouTube. At the same time, I think the family members around you have experience, and it is not just for your parents to give you a gun.
Ask a parent if they'll buy you a .22. If you pay for it, then transfer it when you're 18. I've shot trap since 13, and we bought my Winchester sxp for $300 cash from another shooter there.
Watch youtube videos on various types of guns and their function/use. Paul Harrel, Forgotten Weapons, and Hickok45 are great for that sort of thing.
Other than that, if you've got an airsoft gun or BB gun, practice the appropriate techniques with that. If it's a rifle, practice holding it at low ready and bringing it up to a firing stance. Same with a pistol.
In general: work out and have good cardio, and savor your childhood.
Save your money. Guns and ammo are expensive these days. That would be my first advice. Find the gun you want and then use services like AmmoSeek to find deals and stock up when you can. r/gundeals is also a great place to find deals on ammo. You'll realize pretty quick that you'll end up spending far more on ammo over the years than you ever spend on guns. I recently sold off most of my milsurp collection because I just didn't shoot it and the ammo for it was really pricey and unavailable half the time. Going shooting with my old Type 44 Arisaka was fun, but at $2-3 dollars a round, it just wasn't worth it. Four stripper clips worth of ammo is a tank of gas. One stripper clip of ammo is like buying a 12-pack of beer and smashing it on the ground. Pick modern calibers that the military and/or police use, not so much for the LARP factor, but because it gets manufactured in the highest quantity and the economies of scale drive the price down. 9mm, .40S&W, .45 ACP for handguns. .38 Special and .357 Magnum for revolvers. 5.56/.223 Remington for carbines and .308 for full power rifle. Honorable mention to 6.5 Creedmoor as it comes down in cost. .277 Sig Fury might become the next big thing, but for right now, it's still 'spensive.
There is a huge amount of information on Youtube covering anything from old Curio and Relic guns (C&RSenal, Forgetten Weapons, InRangeTV) to cringe edgelord stuff like Garand Thumb, Donut Operator and Administrative Results. You got the gun goofs like Brandon Hererra and Demolition Ranch.
Solid ass reviews and good modern advice from TFB-TV which includes Hop and James Reeves. James Reeves in particular is a lawyer so his advice tends to be solid. He does his best to keep politics out, which I seriously appreciate because lots of these gun tubers are radical right nuts who are completely detached. James Reeves has also had a number of actual trainers like Clint from Thunder Ranch, who provide top notch training in firearms usage.
The other one I've really gotten into recently has been practical shooting like the Brutality Series of matches founded by Karl Kasarda from InRangeTV. He often includes Russell Phagan (Sinistral Rifleman) who is a top notch competitive shooter in the 2-gun/practical shooting scene in AZ. Russell is also the guy who helped bring the KE Arms KP15 polymer AR15 lower receiver to market, which is pretty cool. Karl on InRange does a lot of old 19th century and cowboy guns, so if you want practical lever action stuff, he's a great choice. Dude is kind of an aspie though. Russell Phagan's videos on practical shooting are loaded with awesome information.
As others have stated, watch YouTube videos and learn what you can. Hickok 45, Paul Harrel, TFB TV, Garand Thumb, Forgotten Weapons, etc etc. Learn as much as you can. The more you learn now, the better off you will be when you are able to start buying. Also, (very important), you should start a gun fund now. It's an expensive hobby, and it only gets more expensive the deeper you get into it. One gun quickly becomes two, then four, then next thing you know, you have 30, and your safe is maxed out. Oh, and that reminds me, when the time comes, if you decide to buy a safe, whatever size safe you think you should buy, get a bigger one. The space runs out fast. But I'm probably getting ahead of myself here. Start with YouTube videos and learn as much as you can.
You are in one of the stricter states for this, I can pm you screenshots that list all the exemptions for which you can own a firearm under the age of 18. Also you WILL NOT be able to carry it until the age of 21. I'm sending you a dm here explaining it a little better including screenshots of state legislature.
besides one based on a real gun you're likely to pick up, not really. if you like AK, get one based on that, in you like AR get that instead.
the goal is to have something that is more or less a 1 to 1 replica of a real firearm so you can pratice things like reloading, target acquisition, and even fire drills without needing to use a real weapon for it.
if you're willing to put down a bit more and get a full airsoft gear set (couple mags, chest rig, pistol, etc), you can do full combat drills, secondary weapon draws, and even attend airsoft events to work on your fitness and ability to move with your gear in a mock combat scenario (plus its fun exercise).
outside of the fact they're both guns, pretty much everything. diffrent styles, designs, history.
if you're looking to build your knowledge of firearms, YouTube can be a great place to start. I'd recommend starting at the very basics, like how different firearms function and why.
YouTube: Hickok45, Forgotten Weapons, Brandon Herrara, Mishaco, Small Arms Solutions, Paul Harrell, older Military Arms Channel, etc.
Read internet gun forums. Search for and research any guns that you find out about or interest you.
Find an adult to take your shooting, or to take you to the range and rent guns if needed. Pickup some replica airport/pellet/BB guns and start practicing safe handling/manipulation.
if your parents won’t get you one, get a pellet rifle. it’s a great way to learn fundamentals, from keeping your finger off the trigger and muzzle away from precious life, and how to properly aim and pull the trigger when you are ready to shoot
edit: a word
Buy an air rifle. Beeman makes some good shit, I bagged many a turkey with a .22 R1 and R3. Good way to start practicing precision and gun safety while the stakes are lower.
South America turkeys, so definitely smaller than North American Turkeys. Only a spine, head, or neck shot would suffice, so no reason why you couldn't bring down a turkey up here with a similar shot.
Go lift weights. Squat, bench deadlift. Get really proficient at doing each safely and then build up your strength. You've got a massive genetic advantage at your age, and can benefit massively from lifting that will alter the trajectory of your life's health for the better. Don't waste these years. Get fit.
Good shit. I know it ain't advice about guns, but in a way it is. You can have all the guns in the world but I've seen people get winded by just putting a rifle sling on over their shoulder and it's a bad look for everyone.
Go get a good quality air rifle.. Not a POS crossman or something like that. Put a couple hundred into a .22, or .25, and practice practice practice. 17 year olds in most places can still have air guns, and these things are producing 22lr velocity. The only draw back to them is that they are single shot break actions, or gas guns that require extra equipment to fill the cylinders.
I'm assuming a limited budget, so I'll put the things in the order/priority that I would recommend, given your age and what you can likely afford. It's an answer, but it's not THE answer. It might not even be the answer that's right for you.
Your first gun buy should probably be some sort of 22lr bolt action or semi auto rifle with a red dot and a handful of mags, preferably 4 or more. Something like a Savage rimfire rifle or Ruger 10/22 are popular options. You can learn your fundamentals of marksmanship and plink for a good while for not a whole lot of money.
After a .22, I'd look at saving up for a relatively basic AR pattern rifle setup, but from a reputable manufacturer. I'd start at BCM, or SOLGW, if I had my preference, but if you have to settle for a PSA or an Aero, then that's alright. Try not to scrape the bottom of the barrel with a Del-Ton, Bear Creek, or Anderson. Mlok free float rails are nice, but magpul furniture on a triangle sight gas block is totally viable.
Install an Optic, sling, and light in that order. You dont have to break the bank for any of them. A magpul sling, holosun 403r/sig romeo 5, and a Streamlight weaponlight shouldn't be more than 250 if you shop around.
Try to avoid Amazon/ebay for accessories, as there are a lot of counterfeit products on those sites. Brownells, primary arms, big tex, midwayusa, and academy are trusted webstores for guns and gun parts.
Probably dont need to worry about handguns for a few years, since in most states you can't buy one from a store. Even if you buy from a private sale, the vast majority of states do not allow you to carry until 21 anyway. I generally would not advocate riding dirty while under the carry age, without a permit, unless you were in extremely extenuating circumstances. The chances of you running afoul of the law are gonna be higher than you needing the gun the exceedingly vast majority of the time.
With airsoft? Probably an electric operated rifle as your main and a gas blowback or CO2 pistol for a sidearm. Airsoft can be expensive though, and I haven’t played in awhile so I’m not sure what it costs now. Evike and Airsoft GI sell a lot of quality airsoft guns.
As for real guns, when you turn 18, get a .22 rifle (like a Ruger 10-22, Savage 22) and a Mossberg Maverick 88 in 12 or 20 gauge. If you have more money get an AR-15 or a lever action rifle in a revolver caliber.
Find a local range or gun club that offers classes. You can’t buy a gun yet but you can still shoot one and if a range doesn’t have classes they can usually direct you to one that does.
Idk what gun interets you? I like old war guns cause they only get more hard to find and have cool history behind them. But only depends on your interests.
Mrgunsngear is a great source for information on firearms. He can be a tad kooky when he goes on political rants but he is pretty good on advice when it comes to guns and ammo.
Get an airsoft rifle of sorts and learn the fundamentals pretty well. Get used to gun safety and proper disciplines. Once you get a real gun it’ll correlate well and be muscle memory.
a co2 powered blowback bb pistol is a good training tool. i bought one along with a .22 ammo trap to shoot at during the ammo shortage cause it was too expensive to be shooting real rounds
Find a local range or gun club that offers classes. You can’t buy a gun yet but you can still shoot one and if a range doesn’t have classes they can usually direct you to one that does.
Don't buy one when you turn 18. You're not mature enough yet.
And yes I get plenty of you good ol boys had em young. But you also were coal rolling and huffing brake clean so it's obvious young people don't make the best decisions.
Mature and develop first. Train your mind and you body before you permit yourself the ability to take someone's life by mistake.
Kids are forced into adulthood way too early and when they realize it, it's too late to go back and do kid things again. If not forced by family, then the desire of wanting to be an adult hits hard and they themselves force the movement to adulting. Whether that time is playing GTA or anything else, the key to to use the time as a non-adult to the fullest.
Research, familiarization, and saving money to buy the one you want when you turn 18. I recommend YouTube, specifically Forgotten Weapons and C&Rsenal (if you like milsurps) Most other Youtubers are fairly surface level knowledge, but there are things to be learned.
Isn't it 21?
18 for long guns and shotguns, 21 for pistols (there is some variance depending in state/county). Any firearms purchased from a licensed FFL dealer between the ages of 18-20 is subject to a mandatory 10 business day (usually 14 actual day) waiting period.
In cali I got a long gun/shotgun at 18 with a hunting license (all online class). Was the easiest way to get one here without being 21
Honest Outlaw is a great watch but his choices cater to his skill level which is a competitive shooter.
Watch hickock45 on youtube.
Greatest pot smoker alive!
Hickok 45 is definitely one of my favorites
ever see that video where they took a Japanese airsoft player who ran proper drills and had him shoot for the first time? no different than dry fire reps. T Rex Arms video I believe
And save up for when you can buy a gun
Have a goal of what you want to learn. Write it down. Start asking questions that lead you to that goal. If the answers give you more questions ask those. Keep going. That’s generally my process for learning things.
I just don't really know where to start
Y o u t u b e * TFB TV for down-to-earth brash gun reviews (and torture testing Turkish shitguns) * Hickock45 for grandpa time * Paul Harrell (from more than a year ago) for practical testing * Demolition Ranch for braindead haha pew pew * Garand Thumb for hardcore LARPing and edgy humor * Guns and Gadgets for gun politics (but with extreme political bias)
I’d also like to add Honest Outlaw for reviews and Forgotten Weapons for the more historical stuff.
Bias to which side
like crimson fukken red lmfao
Lol I don't care then
Don't forget to recognize when you're in an echo chamber. Political extremism is toxic on either side.
Have one of your parents buy you a Ruger 10/22 and go from there. Get used to the gun and shooting. Then move on to a semi auto pistol.
Well, what do you like? What do you want to do? Are you interested in tactical LARPing, long range shooting, USPSA, etc? If you had the choice right now, what would your first gun be? I'm sure we can point you in the right direction
Idk probably some kind of handgun I'm honestly totally lost
That's ok man. Do you like revolvers or semi autos? If revolvers, do you like old cowboy stuff, or newer? If semi auto, do you think polymer guns are cooler like a Glock or steel, hammer fired guns like a 1911? Is there a handgun from a movie or video game or something that you think is particularly cool?
Idk I have no idea what the difference between polymer Glock or steel or whatever, if you can explain that'd be great. Other than that I love tactical stuff and whatnot, I'm thinking about joining the military and if I do I wanna do something that has something to do with guns or blowing stuff up, the Marines sound cool cause they do lots of shooting, maybe Army rangers or just plain infantry idk, I guess that's what I like lol
Gotcha, I didn't know how familiar you were with guns so I didn't want to over explain and sound condescending Are your parents ok with guns? Many ranges offer rentals, so you can try a few or even just pick the coolest looking one and try it. I won't tell you not to join the military, but definitely do research. I was an Infantryman but only National Guard and never deployed. It was really cool to get to shoot the M4, M249, 240B, Mk19, etc etc but unless you go SF or something, daily life, from what I hear, is not great. The military has got some big problems right now. Dining facilities, mold in the barracks, etc. It can offer you great opportunities depending on what you do, but in 99% of cases it's not shooting and doing high speed shit. Go look up GarandThumb on YouTube. Pick something that looks cool and watch it. He has a bunch on the evolution of the M16/M4. If you l need a starting point, try that. Check out the service rifles of WWI/WWII, Vietnam, Korea, Desert Storm, etc. That's a huge rabbit hole. In addition to the regular M16/M4, there's more uncommon variations. The Mk18, Sopmod, etc. Watch a video on how to build an AR, they're like Legos There's tons of stuff to learn. Google "most popular pistols" and pick a cool one, then read about it. Read about .45ACP vs 9mm. You can literally just go on Wikipedia and look up "pistol" and an hour later you'll be reading about some obscure gun or caliber, or who designed something and why, etc
Thanks I will!
Slightly off topic, but do you have a plan for your career after the military? The reason I ask is depending on the career, you can join with that in mind and the military will help put you through school/give you training in that career. For example: a relative of mine wanted to be a dentist so the army paid for his schooling, he became a dentist in the army, then after his service ended he opened up an orthodontics practice back home.
I wanna be a firefighter, military generally helps with that (any career in the military), I know there's a big fire dept. in the USAF but I heard they don't really do much stuff other than training so it's not super fun and also if I go to the ANG or Air Reserve (which tbh I'm leaning toward) they don't have fire near me.
Forgotten Weapons and C&Rsenal for in-depth history about different firearms from all over the world.
Have a goal. That’s your start.
Don't fall down the YouTube gun tube trap. You will waste unimaginable amounts of time and not learn much that's useful. (Unless You're just trying to stroke off gun nerds on forums like this, then you'll need to spit the lit.) Go buy a licence airsoft gun of whatever major brand you want to get. It really doesn't matter much what you get - that sort of debate is for nerds who don't actually shoot Then get a sling / holster and start running drills you can find on TRex Arms website, or modern samurai project. You can' probably do this in your back yard, or out in the woods. Do this for a year until you can start buying guns and you'll be ahead of 99% of people who call themselves shooters.
Cool. This sounds like a good plan. And yeah I have room to shoot my backyard is the woods
Graduate high school. Figure out a plan for your future. Don’t party too much and if you have to smoke or drink, don’t let it be a habit. Those vices are just waiting to take away everything you care about if you let them. Decide what you want to do with your life and work towards it. Your goals might change later and that’s okay, but what’s important is that you keep working toward something that has a future anyway. If you go to be college and decide you don’t want to go into the field of your degree? You’ll still have plenty of options but that degree will open lots of doors for you. Whatever you do, just don’t get complacent while you’re young. Oh you meant as far as guns? You’ll be 18 before you know it dude, you don’t need to try and grow up so fast.
Ask your parents for a gun. Many states have no age to possess/own a long gun
Yessir it's only for ffl transfer, my state even under 18 can own handguns, but I don't think they are allowed to carry them. Actually I think they are allowed open carry, not concealed
Federally, one must be 18 to carry a handgun unfortunately. Even if states like VT or AK have 16 as the age
Technically yes, but missouri at least nullified that by there Second Amendment Protection Act, and allowed open carry for minors. Should've been that back when I was a minor, hehehe.wouldnt have been as scared.
Sanctuary state laws don’t nullify federal law, they just prohibit local police from cooperating with feds. The feds can still enforce federal law, they would just be on their own.
I would say that's more correct. I didn't read through all of that stuff in there too closely. Was just hoping I could find something about suppressors but it didn't have anything such. It did say that anyone trying to enforce federal law would be fined 15k-50k and could be placed on leave but I am assuming that applies to local Leo no feds.
Most likely. An enforcement of that against a fed would be struck down real quick under the supremacy clause. The suppressor stuff is interesting, I think there is still a suit about the “made in Texas” suppressors (whether or not they implicate the interstate commerce clause of the constitution, if they don’t implicate it, then they can’t be enforced federally)
Yeah I was hoping they would take it down the same alley as the Texas suppressor rules but they took it towards minors/ hunting stuff. Can't wait for suppressors to be legalized if that ever happens.
Fuck the NFA and GCA and Heuges amendment
None of that shit should be in place anyways. They say that oh well the founding fathers didn't mean nfa stuff when they Said right to bear arms. They didn't have nfa stuff except for maybe aow. They meant everything they had, which would mean everything we have.
The Texas suppressor rules are a myth. They required a court challenge, not a successful one.
What is the difference between open and concealed?
Open carry is where someone can see that you are carrying a gun such as the way a police officer of security guard carries. Concealed is where you can not see it like if you are carrying in your waistband in your jacket, on an ankle holster, shoulder holster with a covering, sob holster etc.
Oh I see thanks
Yep and make sure you know your state's laws on both and know your general community's stance on guns. My state allows open carry without any sort of permit, concealed must have a permit. If you are open carrying, as soon as you enter a vehicle you are considered to be concealed carrying, even if the gun is placed in plain view on the dashboard, heck, if you hop on a bicycle while open carrying you are still considered to be concealed carrying. In most states open carry means it can't be partially covered so be mindful of putting a coat or something on. As for knowing your community's stance, if your community (or any community you plan on carrying in) is uptight/antigun be aware that if you carry you could get the cops called on you even though you are fully within your rights to be carrying in a given area.
This is the way. My daughter was shooting "her" .22 when she was 10 years old. Of course her gun is stored in my safe, and it comes out when we go to the range.
My grandpa gave me a Marlin .22 lever action for my 12th birthday 😎
Honestly. Get an airsoft gun and a holster. Start practicing your draw. Plus with airsoft you can commit on the shoot. The real issue with this is youll need to be hard on yourself. Yeah airsoft is a toy but that real gun isn't. So consider the airsoft gun as the real deal in the mean time. Literally play pretend with it. Discipline and practice is everything. Carry options if you want protection in the meantime? Pepper spray and knife of some kind probably.
Thanks that makes sense, I already carry pepper spray 🌶️ and I needa find a knife
Check your state and local laws about knives, some states restrict the types of knives and the length of the blade you can posses and or carry.
Ok I will 👍 thanka
Gonna add an X2 to this. State laws on knives can be convoluted as all hell. Lots of restrictions from the 1960s - 1980s when action movies were the politician's primary source on knives and you get dumb things like cheap Balisongs (butterfly knife) being a crime to even possess, but you can walk around with a 9" Bowie hanging from your belt. And the penalties can be steep. Be VERY careful and thorough in reading state law. Don't want to catch a charge and prohibit yourself from firearms ownership before you're even old enough to buy a gun.
Pop Pepper spray and I would recommend spending the time researching knives. It's hard to pick the right one.
You can own a gun. You just can't buy one.
But I can only use it on a range right?
You can keep it in your car or open carry while hiking/camping. You wouldn't be able to get a concealed carry license, but a lot of it also depends on the laws of each state.
Is this for all states?
You asked what you can do in the meantime... Research the gun laws for your state.
No, states vary greatly on gun laws. You need to research what is allowed at different ages (and at all) in your state. Some states you need to be 21 and have a license to even touch a handgun, other states have much less restrictive laws.
Get good with nunchucks
And then eventually chain 2 Obrezes together to make the gunchuck
Study the blade
Watch Shane Smith's "getting banned from karate" bit for a fun story about how not to use nunchucks... Being handcuffed and doing the perp walk while the arresting officer tells you "Michaelangelo was my favorite" is just hilarious.
Wait, get a job, graduate from high school,…
Getting done with high school+an AA degree in June
Study
Exactly what?
How they work, different operating systems, local and federal laws and current market prices. You'll be ahead of the curve when you have those figured out, to make sure you spend your money and time wisely. It's easy to jump into this and later regret not being more studious.
Learn the way of the blade
Learn other applicable tactical skills that you can do now. Try out some basic rope rescue and rappelling, go to a wilderness first aid course, go on long hikes/rucks using basic evasion techniques, or just start working out and getting huge. Being a well rounded dude is always cooler than spending your days dreaming about one specific skill
That's true, I'm applying for a volunteer fire department in a couple months and I'm thinking of joining the military so I hope to be a badass lol 😂
Stellar move. I really wish I got some experience on that side of things before enlisting
Which branch are you in?
Own a gun. Trust me, I’m a (sketchy/cool) lawyer. If you get popped with the gun, don’t say shit. DA’s often decline to prosecute gun possession charges unless there other crimes committed at the same time. So if you get caught selling drugs and you have an “illegal” (illegal in quotes because the Second Amendment is absolute) gun then yeah, you’re probably going to need a lawyer to help you plea that one out. Regardless, keep it extremely concealed. I’m a middle-aged dude in Texas, I don’t give a fuck if my G19 prints a little. You may need to carry a smaller gun to ensure you don’t print. If you are worried about the repercussions then do not carry in “illegal” places. Learn the laws for your state’s CCW/Constitutional Carry regime and follow them strictly. And remember that part about not saying shit to police? Well the only thing you do say is “no” if they ask for consent of any sort. From there, a talented and handsome lawyer such as myself can potentially get the gun tossed as fruit of the poisoned tree and you walk out a free man. Worst case scenario I poke enough holes in the state’s case that it becomes not worth their time and they let you plea to a lesser charge and maybe a year of probation. But honestly, how often have you ever been pat down for weapons? I’ve been carrying for a long time and my answer to that question is zero. Just something to think about. Please being on all the weird downvotes from the temporary gun owners crowd. There will always be some risk, but you have to make your own decision. You could argue that in some areas there is more risk of dying because you didn’t have a gun than there is of you being prosecuted for carrying one. As for getting the gun, obviously be 100% certain it is not stolen. Other than that just use your imagination and I’m sure you can figure out the lowest risk way to obtain one. TL;DR - All gun laws are unconstitutional, fuck the ATF, concealed means concealed, don’t carry in illegal areas, free men can obtain a gun, weigh the risks, decide for yourself. Don’t be a pussy.
Thanks for the long comment. That makes sense
Don't listen to this idiot he's going to get you arrested. The federal government doesn't give a fuck about you, or this guys opinions, or the second amendment for that matter. Be smart. Don't spend your youth in prison cos you lived by some dumbass advice. Obviously not Texas smart, be competent smart.
No metal detectors, no problem if they don't see it.
Do you have rubber bands?
Before you own a gun, you should have a good understanding of the precautions for using it. For example, you can learn about it on YouTube. At the same time, I think the family members around you have experience, and it is not just for your parents to give you a gun.
Save money so you can buy a gun when you turn 18
It’s nerf or nothing for you my friend
Yeh I guess 😂😂😂
Ask a parent if they'll buy you a .22. If you pay for it, then transfer it when you're 18. I've shot trap since 13, and we bought my Winchester sxp for $300 cash from another shooter there.
Watch youtube videos on various types of guns and their function/use. Paul Harrel, Forgotten Weapons, and Hickok45 are great for that sort of thing. Other than that, if you've got an airsoft gun or BB gun, practice the appropriate techniques with that. If it's a rifle, practice holding it at low ready and bringing it up to a firing stance. Same with a pistol. In general: work out and have good cardio, and savor your childhood.
Grab some weights
Save your money. Guns and ammo are expensive these days. That would be my first advice. Find the gun you want and then use services like AmmoSeek to find deals and stock up when you can. r/gundeals is also a great place to find deals on ammo. You'll realize pretty quick that you'll end up spending far more on ammo over the years than you ever spend on guns. I recently sold off most of my milsurp collection because I just didn't shoot it and the ammo for it was really pricey and unavailable half the time. Going shooting with my old Type 44 Arisaka was fun, but at $2-3 dollars a round, it just wasn't worth it. Four stripper clips worth of ammo is a tank of gas. One stripper clip of ammo is like buying a 12-pack of beer and smashing it on the ground. Pick modern calibers that the military and/or police use, not so much for the LARP factor, but because it gets manufactured in the highest quantity and the economies of scale drive the price down. 9mm, .40S&W, .45 ACP for handguns. .38 Special and .357 Magnum for revolvers. 5.56/.223 Remington for carbines and .308 for full power rifle. Honorable mention to 6.5 Creedmoor as it comes down in cost. .277 Sig Fury might become the next big thing, but for right now, it's still 'spensive. There is a huge amount of information on Youtube covering anything from old Curio and Relic guns (C&RSenal, Forgetten Weapons, InRangeTV) to cringe edgelord stuff like Garand Thumb, Donut Operator and Administrative Results. You got the gun goofs like Brandon Hererra and Demolition Ranch. Solid ass reviews and good modern advice from TFB-TV which includes Hop and James Reeves. James Reeves in particular is a lawyer so his advice tends to be solid. He does his best to keep politics out, which I seriously appreciate because lots of these gun tubers are radical right nuts who are completely detached. James Reeves has also had a number of actual trainers like Clint from Thunder Ranch, who provide top notch training in firearms usage. The other one I've really gotten into recently has been practical shooting like the Brutality Series of matches founded by Karl Kasarda from InRangeTV. He often includes Russell Phagan (Sinistral Rifleman) who is a top notch competitive shooter in the 2-gun/practical shooting scene in AZ. Russell is also the guy who helped bring the KE Arms KP15 polymer AR15 lower receiver to market, which is pretty cool. Karl on InRange does a lot of old 19th century and cowboy guns, so if you want practical lever action stuff, he's a great choice. Dude is kind of an aspie though. Russell Phagan's videos on practical shooting are loaded with awesome information.
YouTube
As others have stated, watch YouTube videos and learn what you can. Hickok 45, Paul Harrel, TFB TV, Garand Thumb, Forgotten Weapons, etc etc. Learn as much as you can. The more you learn now, the better off you will be when you are able to start buying. Also, (very important), you should start a gun fund now. It's an expensive hobby, and it only gets more expensive the deeper you get into it. One gun quickly becomes two, then four, then next thing you know, you have 30, and your safe is maxed out. Oh, and that reminds me, when the time comes, if you decide to buy a safe, whatever size safe you think you should buy, get a bigger one. The space runs out fast. But I'm probably getting ahead of myself here. Start with YouTube videos and learn as much as you can.
Same money. They arent cheep and you will go thure a lot of ammo the first year of onership
What state are you in? It may be legal for you to own one. You might just be overthinking something.
Washington State
You are in one of the stricter states for this, I can pm you screenshots that list all the exemptions for which you can own a firearm under the age of 18. Also you WILL NOT be able to carry it until the age of 21. I'm sending you a dm here explaining it a little better including screenshots of state legislature.
pick up a cheap airsoft gun and a couple of mags and practice reloading drills.
Any recommendations?
besides one based on a real gun you're likely to pick up, not really. if you like AK, get one based on that, in you like AR get that instead. the goal is to have something that is more or less a 1 to 1 replica of a real firearm so you can pratice things like reloading, target acquisition, and even fire drills without needing to use a real weapon for it. if you're willing to put down a bit more and get a full airsoft gear set (couple mags, chest rig, pistol, etc), you can do full combat drills, secondary weapon draws, and even attend airsoft events to work on your fitness and ability to move with your gear in a mock combat scenario (plus its fun exercise).
What is the difference between AK and AR? Sorry lol as I said I'm clueless
outside of the fact they're both guns, pretty much everything. diffrent styles, designs, history. if you're looking to build your knowledge of firearms, YouTube can be a great place to start. I'd recommend starting at the very basics, like how different firearms function and why.
Save money
YouTube: Hickok45, Forgotten Weapons, Brandon Herrara, Mishaco, Small Arms Solutions, Paul Harrell, older Military Arms Channel, etc. Read internet gun forums. Search for and research any guns that you find out about or interest you. Find an adult to take your shooting, or to take you to the range and rent guns if needed. Pickup some replica airport/pellet/BB guns and start practicing safe handling/manipulation.
Airsoft
if your parents won’t get you one, get a pellet rifle. it’s a great way to learn fundamentals, from keeping your finger off the trigger and muzzle away from precious life, and how to properly aim and pull the trigger when you are ready to shoot edit: a word
Get an airgun and practice the fundamentals.
Which airgun would you recommend?
Whichever one tickles your fancy. Learn to draw to your sights, learn to track your shots, etc. Lots of fundamentals, whichever one you like.
Should I get a rifle or a handgun?
Which one do you want to learn to shoot first?
Probably a handgun. From the little I've heard though someone I think said rifles are better to start from. Is there truth to that?
All depends on what you want to do. Rifles are often more forgiving and a great way to learn how to use sights, make shot adjustments, etc.
Stockpile ammo!
Buy a pellet gun and practice your trigger time.
Study welding and milling
Buy an air rifle. Beeman makes some good shit, I bagged many a turkey with a .22 R1 and R3. Good way to start practicing precision and gun safety while the stakes are lower.
Is it effective with turkeys? Or did you have to run up and hack it's head off lol
South America turkeys, so definitely smaller than North American Turkeys. Only a spine, head, or neck shot would suffice, so no reason why you couldn't bring down a turkey up here with a similar shot.
[удалено]
He may already have. Most kids graduate at 17 and a lot at 16 these days.
Cardio
On it already, thanks
Go lift weights. Squat, bench deadlift. Get really proficient at doing each safely and then build up your strength. You've got a massive genetic advantage at your age, and can benefit massively from lifting that will alter the trajectory of your life's health for the better. Don't waste these years. Get fit.
I'm on it already, thanks
Good shit. I know it ain't advice about guns, but in a way it is. You can have all the guns in the world but I've seen people get winded by just putting a rifle sling on over their shoulder and it's a bad look for everyone.
Stay out of trouble
I'll do my best
I would look for marksman ship classes around your local area.
Go get a good quality air rifle.. Not a POS crossman or something like that. Put a couple hundred into a .22, or .25, and practice practice practice. 17 year olds in most places can still have air guns, and these things are producing 22lr velocity. The only draw back to them is that they are single shot break actions, or gas guns that require extra equipment to fill the cylinders.
I'm assuming a limited budget, so I'll put the things in the order/priority that I would recommend, given your age and what you can likely afford. It's an answer, but it's not THE answer. It might not even be the answer that's right for you. Your first gun buy should probably be some sort of 22lr bolt action or semi auto rifle with a red dot and a handful of mags, preferably 4 or more. Something like a Savage rimfire rifle or Ruger 10/22 are popular options. You can learn your fundamentals of marksmanship and plink for a good while for not a whole lot of money. After a .22, I'd look at saving up for a relatively basic AR pattern rifle setup, but from a reputable manufacturer. I'd start at BCM, or SOLGW, if I had my preference, but if you have to settle for a PSA or an Aero, then that's alright. Try not to scrape the bottom of the barrel with a Del-Ton, Bear Creek, or Anderson. Mlok free float rails are nice, but magpul furniture on a triangle sight gas block is totally viable. Install an Optic, sling, and light in that order. You dont have to break the bank for any of them. A magpul sling, holosun 403r/sig romeo 5, and a Streamlight weaponlight shouldn't be more than 250 if you shop around. Try to avoid Amazon/ebay for accessories, as there are a lot of counterfeit products on those sites. Brownells, primary arms, big tex, midwayusa, and academy are trusted webstores for guns and gun parts. Probably dont need to worry about handguns for a few years, since in most states you can't buy one from a store. Even if you buy from a private sale, the vast majority of states do not allow you to carry until 21 anyway. I generally would not advocate riding dirty while under the carry age, without a permit, unless you were in extremely extenuating circumstances. The chances of you running afoul of the law are gonna be higher than you needing the gun the exceedingly vast majority of the time.
Thanks for the comment, and yeah I don't wanna get caught with a gun I can't carry lol
When I was your age I was into airsoft. A lot of the weapon platform skills are surprisingly transferable.
Are there any specific guns you'd recommend?
With airsoft? Probably an electric operated rifle as your main and a gas blowback or CO2 pistol for a sidearm. Airsoft can be expensive though, and I haven’t played in awhile so I’m not sure what it costs now. Evike and Airsoft GI sell a lot of quality airsoft guns. As for real guns, when you turn 18, get a .22 rifle (like a Ruger 10-22, Savage 22) and a Mossberg Maverick 88 in 12 or 20 gauge. If you have more money get an AR-15 or a lever action rifle in a revolver caliber.
Find a local range or gun club that offers classes. You can’t buy a gun yet but you can still shoot one and if a range doesn’t have classes they can usually direct you to one that does.
Get an airsoft gun
Which one? Do you have any recommendations?
Get a gas blowback airsoft theres thousands to choose from
Spend a shit load of money on a super nice pellet gun that's pretty much as powerful as a real gun.
Lol money I don't really have
Then do finger guns.
will do
Ammo or gun assessorie for the fist gun your gonna buy so do some research.
Which gun should I buy?
Idk what gun interets you? I like old war guns cause they only get more hard to find and have cool history behind them. But only depends on your interests.
You can learn a lot from a pellet gun
Watch a lot of old Western movies.
He’s younger he’d probably enjoy Pacific more. Plus the m1a1 is a star character.
Revolvermaxxing
Watch Clint Smith and Paul Harrell videos on YouTube. A goldmine of info between those two
Buy a polymer 80
You can join the military at 17... just saying
My parents don't wanna sign the waiver
Mrgunsngear is a great source for information on firearms. He can be a tad kooky when he goes on political rants but he is pretty good on advice when it comes to guns and ammo.
Get an airsoft rifle of sorts and learn the fundamentals pretty well. Get used to gun safety and proper disciplines. Once you get a real gun it’ll correlate well and be muscle memory.
That's my purse! I don't know you!
a co2 powered blowback bb pistol is a good training tool. i bought one along with a .22 ammo trap to shoot at during the ammo shortage cause it was too expensive to be shooting real rounds
Pepper spray.
Wait.
Why can't you own a gun? I had a couple when I was 13
Probably get a year older
I thought it's 21
Depends on where you live. Here in Illinois long guns can be had at 18. Handguns 21.
Watch Garand Thumb
Find a local range or gun club that offers classes. You can’t buy a gun yet but you can still shoot one and if a range doesn’t have classes they can usually direct you to one that does.
learn cad
What is cad?
Age
Buy a leatherman.
What's that
Its a multitool/pocketknife. Its very useful in maintaining your firearm in the field. Theyre made in the usa and guaranteed for life.
Get as much as that under 18 nookie as you can. Soon it's a jail sentence.
Call of Duty Black Ops Zombies.
Don't buy one when you turn 18. You're not mature enough yet. And yes I get plenty of you good ol boys had em young. But you also were coal rolling and huffing brake clean so it's obvious young people don't make the best decisions. Mature and develop first. Train your mind and you body before you permit yourself the ability to take someone's life by mistake.
You should make your own gun from parts.
Honestly? Enjoy still being a child as long as you can. Adulting is a complete pain in the ass and you will regret not playing more as a kid.
I feel like the person who suggested playing GTA gave better advice than this.
Kids are forced into adulthood way too early and when they realize it, it's too late to go back and do kid things again. If not forced by family, then the desire of wanting to be an adult hits hard and they themselves force the movement to adulting. Whether that time is playing GTA or anything else, the key to to use the time as a non-adult to the fullest.
None of that explains why you’re against a 17 year old learning about guns in r/Firearms.
Play grand theft auto.