I searched now it's time to ask some questions.

U

uncle poop

Inactive
Hello all, I am if you have not figured it out by my post count, new to the site. A bit about me, I am 40 years old and live in New Jersey (it is no Joisey that's how New Yahkahs say it), I have only handled and fired a shotgun once many many moons ago. Ever since then my curiosity was peaked. At the time I had a lot going on in life and just could not afford a firearm hobby. I think I am finally at a point where I can get started in the hobby. Which led me to the internet and eventually this site.

I tried to search for some basic info on this site (my search-fu is very lacking) and came up pretty much blank. Gun safety I know some basics like, a gun is always loaded, never point the barrel at something you would not shoot. As I said basics (if not a bit of un-commonsense). What I would like to know is what other "basics" should I know? Would you recommend taking a class and what should I look for in a class?

I tried to find a more comprehensible info to help explain the laws in New Jersey. All of it is in lawyer speak and I think I understand what it says but I believe in being better safe than sorry. So any help on that front would be great as well.

I also will have some questions about purchases, things like cases, locks, safes, etc. But first I want to get through learning the basics and laws in my state.
 
Welcome to the forum!

Absolutely take a class. The NRA has classes all over the place. Just google for NRA classes and your state.

Here is a link to our discussion of the safety rules.

If you want to search the forum, you are much better off using google and inserting the term site:thefiringline.com/forums before your search terms. The Vbulletin (forum software) search function is awful.
 
Welcome.

And I agree with Brian that taking a class is the best way to start. Look for something like an NRA Basic Handgun class to start.

I help teach a monthly NRA Basic Handgun class out here. It runs ten hours, and something like 90% of our students have absolutely no experience. They leave with a good grounding in the basics. We're a bit far for you to travel, but I'm sure you'd be able to find a good NRA class near you.

BTW, taking an NRA class is how I started.
 
Welcome to TFL from another Joisien. If you're in South Jersey and have questions about shooting around here, or have questions about the cumbersome permit applications, give a shout.
 
Thanks all for the welcome and the links. BarryLee: I think I am going to call my local municipality before going to submit my application. The links says it is $20 and you need to submit forms in triplicate. Also towns and cities can have their own rules for gun ownership. When I checked my local municipality it was $5 for the application and $2 for the handgun permit. I guess that is just for them to do the checks that are needed.

Brian Pfleuger: I read that page in the link you posted a little after making this post. I was somewhat correct in my thinking about gun safety which is a good thing.

2ndsojourn: How far south are you? I am east coast central, literally in the armpit of the state. Small town area Sayreville/ South Amboy.
 
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Welcome! This forum is full of great people and great information.

If you're looking for the basics, I want to emphasize another safety rule: "Keep your finger off the trigger until you intend to fire." (And don't just keep it off the trigger, keep it indexed along the frame above the trigger guard.) This is a very important safety rule, and it's also the rule I see broken more than any other.

Another important piece of advice I have is this: When picking a defensive firearm, don't get caught up in the whole "stopping power" ridiculousness. People spend countless hours analyzing and arguing over which defensive caliber is more powerful and which one will end the fight quickest. But the truth is that caliber has very little to do with a firearm's effectiveness; what matters far more is the ability of the shooter. So just pick a caliber that meets the requirements for a defensive caliber, and then make sure to train and practice as much as possible. And -- unless money is no object -- cost and availability of ammo should the biggest factors in your decision, because that will allow you to practice more.

I highly recommend taking classes; take as many as you can afford and have the time for. As far as specifics on where to go, I'm sure there are some forum members from New Jersey who can help with that.

Remember, if you can't find an answer to your question, feel free to start a thread and ask it. No question is too "noobish" for this forum, we won't deride you or make you feel stupid like other some other forums.

Good luck and stay safe!
 
So I will start looking for classes. I found beginner handgun classes at some of the firing ranges in NJ. I guess this is where I should start, nothing really on just safety but I think all that will be covered in the classes.

Great info and help everyone. I really appreciate it. Just by the responses I have received I know already I came to the right place. Too many forums I have been to for other interests, had too many cliques and no one wanted to help with anything.

This is going to be a fun ride.
 
Another good site to look at is corneredcat.com. The author is our own Pax. The material is aimed at women but there is plenty there for anyone, presented with clarity, practicality, and when appropriate, good humor.
 
So I will start looking for classes. I found beginner handgun classes at some of the firing ranges in NJ. I guess this is where I should start, nothing really on just safety but I think all that will be covered in the classes.
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It'll be covered in either the First Steps (very basic) or Basic Pistol (more comprehensive. You're starting on the right foot by taking a class at the outset. As they say, you don't know what you don't know.

...says Tom Servo, who used to make a lot of money breaking the bad habits of shooters who skipped initial training ;)
 
Tom Servo
It'll be covered in either the First Steps (very basic) or Basic Pistol (more comprehensive. You're starting on the right foot by taking a class at the outset. As they say, you don't know what you don't know.

...says Tom Servo, who used to make a lot of money breaking the bad habits of shooters who skipped initial training
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That is good to know. I have to ask, MST3K fan? Cause I am, if you are you do know about Riff Trax right?

Buzzcook A quick search shows this might be the closest range to you that rents guns.
http://gunforhire.com/

Most people recommend renting a few guns before you buy.
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Thanks for the link. That one came up on a search I did (I think it was the first or second link). There are a few that are within a reasonable distance to where I live. One a friend had gone to last year that he liked. The other I was interested in was up north and you can do a google walk through of their facility, which looks like a really nice place to go.

My next question eventually was going to be about purchasing a gun. I do want to try different types. I am also on a tight budget. I will make a post in the handgun section maybe later.
 
The corneredcat.com site is a great resource. A lot of helpful info. It really puts to the fore the need to be safe and how to accomplish it. I always knew that gun safety was important but there were aspects of how to be safe I did not know.

I think I am going to print out and try and laminate a safety check card. Especially with just starting out I do not want to give myself bad habits that will stay with me forever (or until I injure myself, someone or some unlucky furniture) which I do not want to do.
 
http://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/state-laws/new-jersey.aspx

Good overview of NJ gun laws.

You may or may not be surprised to learn, but NJ is an anti-freedom state. They are among the most draconian and strict gun laws in the nation. Among the worst to live in for gun owners. Onerous requires on purchase permits, highly restricted magazines, guns, and ammunition classes, and very difficult to obtain carry permits. NJ outlaws entire classes of common weapons available in about 45 other states.

I believe it was in New Jersey (I may be mistaken) that a former US Marine was arrested and prosecuted for accidently having hollow point ammunition in his possession (he had moved from Colorado where it was legal, and didn't realize or even have reason to believe it was illegal in NJ).

As other said, research, ask questions, etc. But always tripled check answers, and don't always listen to the clowns at the gun store or elsewhere. Like all areas of life, there is always dis-information.

Once you realize how BAD NJ gun laws are, you'll probably get quite annoyed, even ticked off, at how oppressed residents are. In other states, something that is a felony to do or possess in NJ is totally within our rights. FTF transactions, 11+ round magazines, certain weapon and ammo types, etc.

You're about to have your eyes opened wide.... welcome to the 2nd Amendment.
 
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leadcounsel http://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/state...ew-jersey.aspx



Good overview of NJ gun laws.



You may or may not be surprised to learn, but NJ is an anti-freedom state. They are among the most draconian and strict gun laws in the nation. Among the worst to live in for gun owners. Onerous requires on purchase permits, highly restricted magazines, guns, and ammunition classes, and very difficult to obtain carry permits. NJ outlaws entire classes of common weapons available in about 45 other states.



I believe it was in New Jersey (I may be mistaken) that a former US Marine was arrested and prosecuted for accidently having hollow point ammunition in his possession (he had moved from Colorado where it was legal, and didn't realize or even have reason to believe it was illegal in NJ).
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Yeah I knew this a long time ago and it's not just the gun thing either. There was a story someone told me about a guy. He was moving into NJ, had his stuff packed up including his guns. His guns mind you were buried under boxes, bags and other stuff for the move. Also the ammo was in a separate carry box than the guns. Well some dumb*** officer pulled him over and searched the man's vehicle taking everything out. After finally finding the guns (which it is said the guy told the officer he had) the guy was arrested and given a 3 year sentence. Like seriously, un-commonsense could not have prevailed and the officer say well it took me 30mins to get to these guns and ammo so they are safely stored?



As much as I hate the government of this state, I love the state itself. So I will not be moving and if I was going to move it would have been a long time ago when I had nothing keeping me here.
 
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^^^ That story is even worse: The guy wasn't moving to NJ. He was moving from Maine to Texas and he was driving though NJ with his guns. His mistake was that his firearms weren't in locked cases, so federal law didn't protect him when he got into NJ. And he was busted when he got tired and pulled over in NJ to sleep in his car.

http://www.gunnews.com/new-jersey-gun-laws-punish-tx-man-for-legally-owned-guns/

Yet another case of an otherwise law-abiding gun owner who was arrested and jailed on a technicality.
 
it took me 30mins to get to these guns and ammo so they are safely stored?
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I suspect you already know this, but many gun laws are not really designed to keep people safe. They are designed to act as a sort of covert gun control making gun ownership so difficult that people simply give up.
 
As much as I hate the government of this state, I love the state itself. So I will not be moving and if I was going to move it would have been a long time ago when I had nothing keeping me here.
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I've lived in 3 countries, and 8 states (last I counted). I know it's hard to move. But believe me, a state is MUCH more beautiful when you are a free man. You aren't really free in NJ. American is a big place, and you have 40+ better states to live in, when it comes to being free, and at least 25 that are as beautiful or more beautiful that NJ. But I digress, sometimes life complications prevent moving, and it's important that pro-gun folks stay in oppressive states to keep voting for gun rights.



But personally, I could never stomach living in an anti-gun state, and I detest even visiting them briefly. The mere idea of going to prison and having my life ruined in someplace like NJ, NY, CA, MA, IL , HI for mere possession of something that is otherwise totally common and legal in 40+ other states makes me really furious.



Good on you for trying to gain education on such an important topic.
 
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