Help?

[JoseG]

Hey Everyone.

First post here, so i am sorry in advance if i am posting in the wrong section.

Well here i go, I am 23, male, who lives in the bay area. I have always liked guns but didn't really get to shoot one until a few months ago when my girlfriend took me to a shooting range, there i got to shoot a .22 a .45 and a 12 gauge shotgun. While i liked the .22 i think think the shotgun was the most fun to shoot. (The .45 kinda scared me).

The only problem i had was the cost, to shoot all 3 guns with amuniton for both of us was about $190!! Even though i really liked it that isn't something i can't come up with often. (i am a struggling college student).

Anyways after having such a great experience i decided that i should probably own my own gun. I am looking at getting something easy to maintain, fun to shoot and of course also something cheap. So far i been eyeing the Stevensons "320" 12-gauge pistol grip pump shotgun, Big 5 sells it for about $199 which is exactly my price range.

So here are my troubles.

1) I am not a U.S citizen (yet) i have to wait another year before i become a citizen. I asked the guy at Big 5 what would i have to do to get the gun he seemed very annoyed and didn't give me much info. the online info is kinda confusing.
Which brings me to my question, what do i have to do to get this gun?


2)And secondly Is there anything similiar better to that shotgun? or what are your recommendations?


Sorry about the long post, and thank you in advance

[Scuba Steve33]

Welcome to Calguns.

I'm not exactly sure of all the details required that you will have to take but I know you must be a citizen and resident (provide a state ID or DL).

As to recommendations I would go with a Ruger 10/22 (.22). Ammo is stupid cheap (over 2000 rounds for ~75 bucks) and it will allow you to learn the fundamentals of shooting.

If you are set on a shotgun go with a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870. I personally recommend the 500 but wouldn't not recommend an 870. The 500 is cheaper in price and has more aftermarket capabilities. Both are proven and the 500 isn't much more than that Stevensons you're looking at.

[Subotai]

If you have a green card you're good to go. I would also get a 10/22 unless you really want a shotgun. Oh, and get trained properly with whatever you buy.

[Mssr. Eleganté]

Do you have a green card or are you here on a visa?

[Ed_Hazard]

Do you have a green card or are you here on a visa?

This ^^^ as it will help get you a better answer.

From the DOJ

"If the buyer is not a U.S. Citizen, then he or she is required to demonstrate that he or she is legally within the United States by providing to the firearms dealer with documentation that contains his/her Alien Registration Number or I-94 Number."

[readysetgo]

^^^ see here: http://oag.ca.gov/firearms/pubfaqs#2

[damndave]

If you are looking at getting a shotgun, I really like either the Remington 870 or Mossberg 500. Big 5 sells both.

Both have awesome aftermarket support and are proven winners.

[Eldraque]

Savage Mark II is a good choice.

[myk]

Hooray for the girlfriend...

[acolytes]

22's and 12 guage pumps are pretty inexpensive. I agree with the other posters. Start with a .22 rifle, and then get the shot gun later. The basic Mossberg 500's are pretty cheap.

[stix213]

Your gf is a keeper.

If you are short on funds get a .22 like others have said. Ammo is about $.05 a round vs $.22 for a shotgun.

[ewarmour]

Oh, and get trained properly with whatever you buy.

^ this right here - get training.

[fighterpilot562]

Go with a .22, cheap ammo, guns are cheap and fun to shoot.

[stix213]

^ this right here - get training.

If you can't afford training (as I suspect) at least go with an experienced friend who can recite the safety rules without much thought.

[CSACANNONEER]

You do not need to be a citizen to buy a firearm in the US.

Please, do yourself a favor and DO NOT get a pistol grip only shotgun. They are more of a novelty than anything else. If you truely feel the need to get one, get a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870 and then by a pistol grip for it. Hell, I might have one that I'd give you just to know that you also have a stock for it and that you'll be able to use it properly when you get over the tacifool feeling a shooting a PG only shotgun. Of course, I'd suggest buying a .22lr rifle before anything else. You can shoot all day for $20 worth of ammo!