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The presence of regulations, including whether or not a permit to carry a concealed weapon is required in a given state, for both handguns and long guns, also came from the NRA. Population figures came from the U.

Only a few million privately owned guns in the U. The actual number of guns, however, is certainly far higher. Last year alone, U. According to a estimate from the Congressional Research Service, there are as many as million guns across the nation. In states where weapons can be purchased with relative ease, there are also far more venues for buying guns.

Nationwide, for every 1, businesses, there are 19 that are licensed to sell guns. In 30 of the 36 states reviewed, there are more than 19 businesses licensed to sell arms for every 1, businesses. In Alaska, there are nearly 50 gun shops for every 1, businesses — the most of any state.

Whatever your reasons for wanting to own a gun, you can learn your rights and the steps necessary in making a purchase, as well as tips for selecting the right kind of gun for your purposes. In some places, this check will come back immediately, and in others it can take a few days to be approved. To learn how to choose a handgun for self-defense, read on!

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Download Article Explore this Article methods. Related Articles. Article Summary. Method 1. Learn the federal regulations for gun ownership in your country. In some places, it's necessary to acquire a license to handle, own, and carry a firearm, while in other places the restrictions are much more lenient.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms U. In the US, rifles or shotguns may be purchased by anyone over the age of 18, and handguns by anyone over the age of 21, provided they meet the following federal regulations: The buyer must be a current citizen of the United States or a permanent resident green card holder. The buyer must not be under indictment for a crime punishable by a year in prison, or to have been previously convicted of a crime with a similar punishment. The buyer must not have a current restraining filed by an intimate partner or child, and the buyer must not have been convicted of domestic violence.

The buyer must not be a fugitive, or a user of controlled substances. The buyer must not be committed currently to a mental institution. Learn the local regulations in your state. State and municipal laws are generally more specific and restricted than federal laws, making it essential that you consult the local guidelines to learn about what you do and do not need to do to make a gun purchase legal. In the US, no federal license is required to own a gun.

Likewise, most states do not require licenses for gun ownership, but most states require a license to carry a weapon concealed on your person, or displayed prominently. Learn about the specific laws in place in each state by clicking here. Few states will require waiting periods, before which you must pay for the firearm fully and submit the necessary paperwork, then wait for a period of a few weeks before being permitted to take your new gun home with you.

In some states, regulations are also in place to check up on safety precautions, ensuring that you also purchase gun locks, own safes, and practice gun safety before you're allowed to purchase a gun legally. Buy a gun from a licensed retailer if required in your state of residence. Every seller of firearms should be willing to provide proof of license, if asked.

Much has been made of the "gun show loophole," through which guns are supposedly sold without the necessary regulations at gun shows, under the table. While sometimes private sellers meaning non-FFL licensed citizens are sometimes allowed to sell guns and antiques at gun shows, make your purchase from a licensed FFL dealer and you won't have anything to worry about.

Ask about the retailer's licensing status and make sure you fill out the proper paperwork and receive a bill of sale. However you choose to purchase a gun, make sure every gun you purchase has a registered serial number and a bill of sale. Provide the necessary information. When you're buying a gun from a licensed retailer, you'll have to provide more than a handshake and money. Identification and confirmation of the above Federal guidelines regarding firearms will need to be provided. This process will vary from country to country.

This is used to confirm your status as a citizen who is qualified to own a firearm in the United States. From this information, licensed retailers perform background checks, in the event that you're trying to purchase a handgun. Background checks and waiting periods aren't one in the same. In some places, the background check will come back immediately, while in others it may take up to three or four days if the system is bogged down.

Eventually, the response should come back "approved," "disapproved," or will come back with a "delay," which means that more investigation is required. This will all need to happen before a waiting period takes effect. Know your rights when it comes to private purchases. In some places, it's legal to buy used guns from an individual in the same state, who will not require you to submit to a background check before making the sale, or declare the sale.

If your locality does not require that your gun be registered, you are not required to do so by federal law. If you are purchasing via online sale, especially if the gun is from another state, you will probably need to get an FFL dealer involved in the transaction to ensure the sale is legal.

Store your gun safely. Guns purchased either new or used need to be stored properly, both to maintain the life of the firearm and to ensure the safety of you and your family. Guns should be stored unloaded, in locked gun cases, and preferably with trigger-locks in place over the triggers.

Most new guns should come with cases, especially handguns which will come with lock-boxes for easy storage. If not, though, you'll need to purchase a case in addition to purchasing the gun. Hard-plastic cases and soft cloth cases are both good for protecting your firearm. If you've got a big collection of firearms, consider storing them in a gun safe. Some high-end models are temperature-controlled, helping to maintain the life of antiques and keep them safe.

Method 2. Buy a rifle for hunting small game and target shooting. Rifles, sometimes called "long guns," are most commonly used for hunting purposes and sport shooting, and make excellent guns for beginners. Rifles are the most accurate style of gun, due to the "rifling" spiral of the barrel, which is long enough to result in very accurate shots.

Modern rifles are accurate and effective for very long distances, depending on the style of rifle and the caliber of the ammunition used. Whatever your reasoning for wanting a gun, a rifle is a smart purchase. Select a caliber based on your needs. The caliber of a rifle refers to the size of the diameter of the barrel, and the corresponding ammunition used in the gun. While there will be a variety of different ammunition styles within a given caliber, the caliber itself will tell you much about the shooting power of the gun.

Most rifles owned by are either. Only one store in Mexico sells guns legally, compared with more than 50, retail stores in the United States. Australia 1 Join and regularly attend a hunting or shooting club, or document that you are a collector. Authorities may also interview your family and community members. In response to a mass shooting, Australia officially made gun ownership a privilege, not a right.

Gun owners must provide a valid reason for owning a weapon, such as for farming or hunting, and gun clubs must inform the authorities of inactive members. Austria 1 To get a handgun or semiautomatic rifle, prove you are in serious physical danger.

Austria requires different steps to get a hunting rifle, including passing a written exam and shooting test. Canada 1 To buy a handgun, prove that you practice at an approved shooting club or range, or show that you are a gun collector. If you bought a handgun, register it with the police before taking it home. In addition to two character references, Canadians must list the names of partners they have lived with in the last two years, all of whom must sign the application or be notified by the police before a gun is bought.

India 1 Join a shooting club, or show that you or your property are under threat. The exact steps in India, as in many countries, vary depending on how local officials choose to enforce the law. The Indian authorities may impound guns during an election to ensure that the vote is peaceful. Guns must be returned to their owners one week after the results are announced. Germany 1 Join a shooting club, obtain a hunting license, demonstrate you are a gun collector or prove that your life is threatened.

Germans who keep firearms in their homes agree to let the police conduct unannounced home inspections to check that they are kept safely. The United States has no requirement for how firearms must be stored.