New to gun ownership

[dehos]

Hello everyone,

I am new to owning firearms and just recently got my first handgun for my wife's peace of mind. Ive lived in Anne Arundel County for my entire life and I have very limited knowledge when it comes to firearms (having only been to the range a handful of times) I am even more unfamiliar with the politics surrounding 2A issues so I appreciate everything you all have shared to help enlighten me. I'll probably be asking a lot of ignorant questions so I appreciate everyone's patience with me in advance.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Welcome !

 

[Uncle Duke]

Welcome aboard!

 

[Beebs]

Hello everyone,

I am new to owning firearms and just recently got my first handgun for my wife's peace of mind. Ive lived in Anne Arundel County for my entire life and I have very limited knowledge when it comes to firearms (having only been to the range a handful of times) I am even more unfamiliar with the politics surrounding 2A issues so I appreciate everything you all have shared to help enlighten me. I'll probably be asking a lot of ignorant questions so I appreciate everyone's patience with me in advance.

There is much to learn. I started this journey 2 years ago. Find an FFL (gun dealer) you like and trust.. Ask questions. If they don't want to answer, find another dealer. I found that many are snobby and didn't remember when they were new to guns. Take classes. Use the crap out of YouTube. Be safe, have fun, good luck.

 

[John from MD]

Hello everyone,

I am new to owning firearms and just recently got my first handgun for my wife's peace of mind. Ive lived in Anne Arundel County for my entire life and I have very limited knowledge when it comes to firearms (having only been to the range a handful of times) I am even more unfamiliar with the politics surrounding 2A issues so I appreciate everything you all have shared to help enlighten me. I'll probably be asking a lot of ignorant questions so I appreciate everyone's patience with me in advance.

Welcome from Davidsonville.

 

[dehos]

There is much to learn. I started this journey 2 years ago. Find an FFL (gun dealer) you like and trust.. Ask questions. If they don't want to answer, find another dealer. I found that many are snobby and didn't remember when they were new to guns. Take classes. Use the crap out of YouTube. Be safe, have fun, good luck.

I have had mixed experiences at the FFLs I have been to. Sometimes the staff are extremely helpful and quickly have me holding every gun in the store and other times they seem inconvenienced by my lack of knowledge. I'd be interested in learning what places everyone else has had good experiences with.

 

[LGood48]

Greetings.
IMHO, Tactical Shepherd in Rising Sun is one of the best. Offer just about any form of training you need, HQL, HGP, etc.
Also offer ladies only training.
A bit of a ride from Glen Burnie, but very possibly worth while.
Also, JLowe's Guns is part of the business and John is an IP on this site.

 

[r3t1awr3yd]

I have had mixed experiences at the FFLs I have been to. Sometimes the staff are extremely helpful and quickly have me holding every gun in the store and other times they seem inconvenienced by my lack of knowledge. I'd be interested in learning what places everyone else has had good experiences with.

You're in Glen Burnie so you should head to Cindy's. They're pretty nice there.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

Greetings, welcome. I also recommend that you go to this link and read up and consider supporting MSI. MSI is top notch in fighting for yours, mine and everyone's 2A rights.

About Maryland Shall Issue®, Inc

Why Choose MSIMaryland Shall Issue® (MSI) is an all-volunteer, non-partisan organization dedicated to the preservation and advancement of gun owners' rights in Maryland. It seeks to educate the community about the right of self-protection, the safe handling of firearms, and the responsibility...

www.marylandshallissue.org

 

[trickg]

Hello everyone,

I am new to owning firearms and just recently got my first handgun for my wife's peace of mind. Ive lived in Anne Arundel County for my entire life and I have very limited knowledge when it comes to firearms (having only been to the range a handful of times) I am even more unfamiliar with the politics surrounding 2A issues so I appreciate everything you all have shared to help enlighten me. I'll probably be asking a lot of ignorant questions so I appreciate everyone's patience with me in advance.

Welcome! You're going to find that Maryland is kind of a rabbit hole when it comes to what's what, both politically and legally.

I grew up with guns and my Dad had lots of them, but my mom just sat on his collection after he passed for a number of years. When he passed, I was not really in a place financially at that point to buy my own, and I figured I'd inherit them. When I did finally inherit a number of them, I was a lot like you - didn't know the ropes of Maryland when it came to the laws and politics. I figured all I would have to do to get a wear and carry permit was to apply.

NOPE! That was back when Maryland was still "May (wont!) Issue."

In any case, like you I found this forum, and it has been a wealth of knowledge from a lot of great, like-minded folks, some of whom I've met in person at this point.

So again, welcome - for guys new to all of this, the only dumb question is the one that doesn't get asked.

 

[ChannelCat]

Welcome! Whatever you get into, pistols, rifles, shoguns, bolt action, single shot, semi-auto, remember this: "a gun is always loaded". ** Gun safety is a way of life.

** I'm quoting my dearly departed Pop from over 50 years ago, and thus, the quote marks.

 

[SkiPatrolDude]

Welcome from Timonium. It sounds like your head is in the right place with wanting to educate yourself on the various aspects of responsible firearm ownership.

 

[Occam]

Welcome! Though searching this forum can be a bit of an adventure, and one might sometimes get a finger wag for re-asking a question that's been addressed before ad nauseum, please understand there are no dumb questions on the safety, legality, and life-impacting issues surrounding gun ownership. Ask! There's a lot to know, but you don't have to take it all down in one gulp. I will say this/these:

1) Join MSI - they're working to make this more tolerable for you in Maryland. It's one pizza's money very well spent.

2) Consider getting your MD carry permit. Both for the philosophical/political reasons, and because it grants you wildly more flexibility in the transportation of your handgun (and, should you choose to do it, actually carrying it for self defense purposes should you want to). The annoying and not cheap process of getting that permit will also get you acquainted with a lot more of the Maryland-ness of this topic.

 

[linkstate]

Welcome. For an FFL, checkout Tyler’s in Halethorpe if you haven’t already. They’ve always treated me right.

Another vote for joining MSI. Their website has a ton of guides and info as well.

For training, Gun Commander is great.

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

I have had mixed experiences at the FFLs I have been to. Sometimes the staff are extremely helpful and quickly have me holding every gun in the store and other times they seem inconvenienced by my lack of knowledge. I'd be interested in learning what places everyone else has had good experiences with.

I can think of a number of great shops. 2 A Sales, Tyler's, Duffy's to name a few I have had personal dealings with.

 

[Tapper]

Welcome aboard!

 

[chilipeppermaniac]

2) Consider getting your MD carry permit. Both for the philosophical/political reasons, and because it grants you wildly more flexibility in the transportation of your handgun (and, should you choose to do it, actually carrying it for self defense purposes should you want to). The annoying and not cheap process of getting that permit will also get you acquainted with a lot more of the Maryland-ness of this topic.

Yup,

And since he already mentioned getting his first handgun... We presume he already did the HQL and incurred that cost and time/training whatever needed to do so.

Since he did this, he is in the position where he incurs the max cost.
For other soon to be new handgun owners, if one takes the Wear and Carry classes first and gets the permit, then they save on the training and costs of HQL because it can be rolled into the envelope of the Permit training etc.

 

[BurkeM]

Hello everyone,
I'll probably be asking a lot of ignorant questions so I appreciate everyone's patience with me in advance.

Glad to see another convert. Ignorance is a curable condition.

Definitely join MSI. Consider Tyler's and Cindy's as your local options, for future shopping.

Another resource- join the AGC.

Home - Associated Gun Clubs of Baltimore

Check the AGC Calendar for Range Events!!! ACTIVITIES/EVENTS A pleasant, park-like atmosphere to safely shoot Air Pellet Pistol & Rifle, Handgun, Smallbore, Benchrest & High-Power Rifle, Trap and Archery. LEARN MORE RANGES/FACILITIES Our ranges are

agcrange.org

 

[dehos]

Yup,

And since he already mentioned getting his first handgun... We presume he already did the HQL and incurred that cost and time/training whatever needed to do so.

Since he did this, he is in the position where he incurs the max cost.
For other soon to be new handgun owners, if one takes the Wear and Carry classes first and gets the permit, then they save on the training and costs of HQL because it can be rolled into the envelope of the Permit training etc.

Yeah, I regret not doing enough research when signing up for the HQL for myself and my wife. We could have put that money towards the Wear and Carry because we both intend to do that at some point. Just a matter of budgeting right now as the costs seem very steep and I'm still getting a feel for exactly how much it will cost when its all said and done.

 

[Dave MP]

Welcome from PA!
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