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Do to popular demand and not wanting to discourage anyone from purchasing a firearm, I have overhauled this thread.
So you want to buy a gun and don't want to look like a fool. Here's proper etiquette:
1. Pick a gun shop that looks clean on the outside. Dirty store fronts sell dirty guns.
2. Go to the shop when they first open; this way the employees will be fresh and ready to serve you best. It isn't uncommon for buyers to wait outside for the shop to open in order to be first.
3. If you already have a specific gun in mind, ask to see it. Otherwise, describe what you want; e.g. "I want a fast shooting gun good for bank robbery", this is a commonly used description for a general purpose weapon.
4. When the clerk hands you the gun. It is important to test its natural point of aim. This is done by pointing its muzzle at the clerk and pulling the trigger. The more times you pull the tirgger while pointed the more respect you show.
5. Finally, you want to be sure that the gun balances nicely in your hands, and ammo (being very heavy) affects the balance. Ask to have a magazine and some ammo. A lot of shops don't allow this because they fear of loosing a sale. However, you are the buyer and you want a well balanced gun... so be persistent. Sometimes you have to sneak around the shop to get the gun loaded.
6. Test firing. Just like buying a car, a test fire is very important for you to get to know whether the gun fits your hand well and handles well. IMPORTANT: when firing a weapon be sure to point it somewhere safe! It is customary for the shop to charge you double the price of your test fire ammo.
7. Once you've determined that you want to buy the gun, a lot of shops will want to make you fill out some forms. This is required by law. However, those forms are used to send you junk mail, so be sure to put down a fake address. Many buyers also put down a fake name.
8. After paying, many stores here want to enforce a 10 day waiting period. It is a way to get you back into thier store again. Many employees are just following the owner's demand that they enforce the 10 day wait, just take your gun and walk out; they employees will understand.
Now for the real Etiquette
Rules:
*Pay attention to where you point the gun, Do not point it at anyone, if they move out of the way of the muzzle please do not follow them with it.
*If you purchase a firearm that does not come with a California DOJ approved lock, you will NEED TO PURCHASE A LOCK. The exception to this is if it is a rifle or a shotgun and you own a approved firearms safe. DO NOT ARGUE WITH THEM ABOUT IT. It is California Law.
*Do not try to dissassemble the firearm without asking. NO MATTER how familiar you are with them.
*Do not yell at the employee because of your frustration over something they do not have control over.
*Do not drop the slide on the semi auto handguns. It is a SLIDE CATCH not a slide release, it holds back the slide after the last round. Continuesly using it as a release will round the catch and you will need to have the part or parts replaced.
*Do not flip the cylinder closed on a revolver, it can bend the ejector rod and eventually prevent the cylinder from closing and/or functioning smoothly.
*If looking for a CCW, ask before you stick the firearm in your pants.
Suggestions:
*It is appreciated that you ask before you pull the trigger, and if you do, do not pull it over and over again.
*Do not butt in on a conversation to express your disagreement when a worker is trying educate a patron who is new to firearms.
*If you bring your children to the store... PLEASE CONTROL THEM.
Pet Peeves:
*Firearms are called either: RIFLES, SHOTGUNS or HANDGUNS/PISTOLS. Not gats, gauges, shotties or pieces.
*Do not tell the store worker how you can get the gun cheaper online or down the street for much less. Instead, politely thank the worker for his time and buy it elsewhere.
Both Sides of the Counter:
*Neither the workers or the customers know everything, If something is said which is FALSE please correct it.
(NOTE: only if it is FALSE not a disagreement.)
*Keep the profanity to a minimum to none at all.
*Be polite and leave all attitudes outside the store.
*There is NO correct caliber for any scenario, a well placed shot from any caliber will get the job done.
(yes some calibers will do the job better.)
*ALL customers should be treated with the upmost respect and importance.
*As a customer: If you are just looking, then let the other customers get helped rather than keeping one employee to yourself. When you have a question then get the attention of the employee.
*Just because the employee does not have the answer to a question, does not mean they don't know anything, it just mean they do not have the answer to THAT question.
So you want to buy a gun and don't want to look like a fool. Here's proper etiquette:
1. Pick a gun shop that looks clean on the outside. Dirty store fronts sell dirty guns.
2. Go to the shop when they first open; this way the employees will be fresh and ready to serve you best. It isn't uncommon for buyers to wait outside for the shop to open in order to be first.
3. If you already have a specific gun in mind, ask to see it. Otherwise, describe what you want; e.g. "I want a fast shooting gun good for bank robbery", this is a commonly used description for a general purpose weapon.
4. When the clerk hands you the gun. It is important to test its natural point of aim. This is done by pointing its muzzle at the clerk and pulling the trigger. The more times you pull the tirgger while pointed the more respect you show.
5. Finally, you want to be sure that the gun balances nicely in your hands, and ammo (being very heavy) affects the balance. Ask to have a magazine and some ammo. A lot of shops don't allow this because they fear of loosing a sale. However, you are the buyer and you want a well balanced gun... so be persistent. Sometimes you have to sneak around the shop to get the gun loaded.
6. Test firing. Just like buying a car, a test fire is very important for you to get to know whether the gun fits your hand well and handles well. IMPORTANT: when firing a weapon be sure to point it somewhere safe! It is customary for the shop to charge you double the price of your test fire ammo.
7. Once you've determined that you want to buy the gun, a lot of shops will want to make you fill out some forms. This is required by law. However, those forms are used to send you junk mail, so be sure to put down a fake address. Many buyers also put down a fake name.
8. After paying, many stores here want to enforce a 10 day waiting period. It is a way to get you back into thier store again. Many employees are just following the owner's demand that they enforce the 10 day wait, just take your gun and walk out; they employees will understand.
Now for the real Etiquette
Rules:
*Pay attention to where you point the gun, Do not point it at anyone, if they move out of the way of the muzzle please do not follow them with it.
*If you purchase a firearm that does not come with a California DOJ approved lock, you will NEED TO PURCHASE A LOCK. The exception to this is if it is a rifle or a shotgun and you own a approved firearms safe. DO NOT ARGUE WITH THEM ABOUT IT. It is California Law.
*Do not try to dissassemble the firearm without asking. NO MATTER how familiar you are with them.
*Do not yell at the employee because of your frustration over something they do not have control over.
*Do not drop the slide on the semi auto handguns. It is a SLIDE CATCH not a slide release, it holds back the slide after the last round. Continuesly using it as a release will round the catch and you will need to have the part or parts replaced.
*Do not flip the cylinder closed on a revolver, it can bend the ejector rod and eventually prevent the cylinder from closing and/or functioning smoothly.
*If looking for a CCW, ask before you stick the firearm in your pants.
Suggestions:
*It is appreciated that you ask before you pull the trigger, and if you do, do not pull it over and over again.
*Do not butt in on a conversation to express your disagreement when a worker is trying educate a patron who is new to firearms.
*If you bring your children to the store... PLEASE CONTROL THEM.
Pet Peeves:
*Firearms are called either: RIFLES, SHOTGUNS or HANDGUNS/PISTOLS. Not gats, gauges, shotties or pieces.
*Do not tell the store worker how you can get the gun cheaper online or down the street for much less. Instead, politely thank the worker for his time and buy it elsewhere.
Both Sides of the Counter:
*Neither the workers or the customers know everything, If something is said which is FALSE please correct it.
(NOTE: only if it is FALSE not a disagreement.)
*Keep the profanity to a minimum to none at all.
*Be polite and leave all attitudes outside the store.
*There is NO correct caliber for any scenario, a well placed shot from any caliber will get the job done.
(yes some calibers will do the job better.)
*ALL customers should be treated with the upmost respect and importance.
*As a customer: If you are just looking, then let the other customers get helped rather than keeping one employee to yourself. When you have a question then get the attention of the employee.
*Just because the employee does not have the answer to a question, does not mean they don't know anything, it just mean they do not have the answer to THAT question.
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