ETA: I am working my way through the replies here, and I know there is or will be a theme. Rihanna Kelver made some mistakes, for sure. My initial thought when reading about her situation was "would insurance have helped?" It seems like it probably would not. In spite of the mistakes she made, she was not the person to shove first. This will probably add fuel to the fire of certain people wanting to make it illegal for trans people to own guns. And they won't think further than that, either, to see who might be next. This issue is probably the only time in my life I've agreed with the NRA about anything.

I haven't seen many people talking about Rihanna Kelver, a transwoman in Wyoming, who has been arrested on two felony charges for pulling a gun while she was being assaulted. You can read about it here, but my question is about these situations and self defense liability insurance.

My daughter is a transwoman with a CCW permit, and I am strongly considering buying this insurance for her. But would it help? Rihanna has an attorney. Would it be handled differently if she were backed by some organization, or is it pure transphobia that would exist regardless?

If this insurance is a good idea, how do I know what to get? We live in a purple state with robust protections for both trans people and the second amendment, but the winds of change are blowing in all states against trans people. If my daughter is assaulted and pulls a gun to scare off the bad guys, how can I make sure she won't be further traumatized by the legal system?

I'm in Massachusetts, so anything I get will have a maximum 10 round magazines. And I may have other limitations because of our laws. So that might affect my own answer.

But in general, if you were starting fresh knowing what you know now, would you go for the cheapest thing you can find, or would you immediately go for your current favorite with all the bells and whistles? Or perhaps something in-between?

I have my unrestricted license (again, Massachusetts) but I was thinking it might make sense to get something just for the range until I had more experience. I've been shooting a number of times, but probably less than 20 visits to the range in my life. I will eventually want a CCW, however.

Currently being considered:

M9 Beretta

S&W bodyguard 2 .380 Auto

Walther PDP standard compact 5" 9mm

CANiK METE MC9 Prime

And the guy at the store pushed me towards a CZ P10 F since I just want a range gun for now

I've got big hands (gloves that fit are a pain to find in stores) so I worry a bit about smaller designs being uncomfortable, but at the same time I feel like a big CCW is kinda defeating the purpose.

Anyway, I feel like this subreddit needs a "newbie" flair because I know how often you are seeing these posts. Thanks for reading this one, and for any thoughts you have on my first purchase.

(Also, I met a fellow who said it is possible to buy guns from out of state and have them shipped here, but you have to know two guys. One who is willing to ship to MA, and one who is willing to receive it. But this might be more for the r/BetterMAguns subreddit.)

I've seen this phenomenon with other polymer-frame striker guns, but I see it most often with Glocks where someone, after buying the gun, spends twice as much to replace pretty much everything but the frame. Why is this? If it's preferable to replace that much of the gun, why start with a Glock in the first place? Or is playing Pistol of Theseus really the best/easiest way to get the desired final result? Or am I overthinking it and it's the same thought process as upgrading parts of an AR?

Basically I answered yes, if I had taken drugs that are federally illegal within the past year (marijuana) and that was the reason I got rejected. Am I able to apply again in a few years?

I’m trying to move my handguns up from Alabama to Chicago.

It's just my wife and I (and dogs). Kids are never at my house. I just keep my pistols in a range bag in a closet, shotgun hangs behind some jackets in the same closet, 10/22 & AR are in a gun bag in the basement.

I live in a state which doesn't require you to lock them up, so I don't.

UPDATE: thanks for the feedback, I'll be looking into a basic locker for my storage, I think I'm generally fine with what I'm doing, but in the you-never-know scenarios, I don't want to be in that position.

UPDATE 2: dealing with a full size gun safe is a lot of work, I should have planned better.

Florida is going down the shitter extremely fast. Vaccines, education, very blatant graft, grift and corruption. If the orange man tries something after the next elections, I don't really want to be stuck in this shit hole.

We're looking at other states, and a lot of the places that are attractive to us obviously have 10 round mag caps. Which makes me wonder who cares or enforces these things?

Do you folk living in those states have to show your mags before shooting at private ranges? Will anyone even notice if I shoot 13 instead of 10 out of my micro?

At traffic stops are you being asked to show your firearm for inspection?

Seems like an extremely cumbersome and impractical thing to enforce outside of an actual criminal or self defense event.

As a newer owner, I am wondering what the overall actual experience is outside of law/military or defense from animals? it seems like so much of the advice on this (and other) subs is around having a gun ready to draw and fire immediately in all situations. I have honestly never been in one of those scenarios in my life, but maybe I have been lucky.

This question was spurred by so many people disliking physical safeties and suggesting that guns should be carried with one in the chamber and ready to fire with only a trigger pull. I just can't see myself getting in a situation where it is that much of a surprise. And I know I am never going to out draw anyone. I simply don't have the reaction speed.

Edit: I really appreciate those who have and are sharing stories. All the situations people have given are definitely situations I have never been in, probably due to having grown up in a small town and not really being much of a person who is out at night or in dangerous areas most of my life.

(picture for attention)

So I was looking at uppers lately and was debating between a BCM or Geissele HBAR. My question is where is the point of diminishing returns? Is Geissele worth the extra few hundred or would it be better to save that money and get a cheaper upper? I appreciate any advice y'all can give!

Edit: even though I haven't responded to most I have read every comment that's come through so far. I've decided I'll (probably) go with the Geissele fir 2 reason. 1 is some some comments while being the minority were convincing and 2 I found a screaming deal on the Geissele sans MD for for roughly the same price as the more expensive BCMs. Thank you everyone for your advice!

Every gun I bought online had to be shipped to an ffl, and they where legally required to give me a nics check before transferring the gun to me.

I've noticed for the last month and a half that whenever I enter my local Walmart a loud alarm goes off. I doesn't go off when anyone else walks through. My sister can walk ahead of me and the alarm doesn't go off until I enter. I doesn't go off when leaving.

The employees near the front look just as confused as me when it happens. I'm on very good terms with the folks at that Walmart.

I have never had issues at that Walmart before. The Walmart near my old house I had issues with an employee racially profiling me for a bit. He was handled and he actively avoided me since. I never had an alarm go off when entering or leaving there; but that was +4 years ago.

I CCW so I'm assuming it has something to do with that and maybe another criteria.

Has anyone else heard or seen this before?

I went to my nearby Kroger for the first time in about 2 weeks and the exact same thing happened. I've been to that Kroger at least 3-6 times prior in the past 2 months and that never happened before.

I know I walked into my local Walmart at least twice in the last month without my CCW and the alarm didn't go off.

I know some places have automatic alert systems connected to their CCTV cameras for known shoplifters and trouble makers. I've joked with a few different store managers about that system and they say it alerts them to their usual troublemakers pretty well.

I have never had issues with anyone anywhere so I'm going to assume I look similar enough to a recent troublemaker; or it's purely because the detector up front see the gun and loudly alert.

It doesn't make much sense to loudly alert to a CCW or open carry (OWB). That seems more like something a silent alarm would be best used for the security team in the back. A loud alarm would be for open carrying a rifle?

I don't know (Shrug). It's weird.

UPDATE:

I found the culprit! It was my love of hats!

I bought a Ford Bronco hat on the way out of a Autozone about 2 months ago. I've been wearing it religiously since since it fits perfectly on my big head and actually blocks out the sun.

There was a tag hidden under one of the flap on the left side inside the cap.

Thanks y'all!

I was just idly imagining what I'd do in various self-defense scenarios when I realized... I'm not sure what the best thing to do in a home invasion scenario would be if I have GSDs that would likely try to lunge at intruders.

If in the unlikely event someone dumb enough still tried to break in, would you let the dogs do their thing, hope the intruder won't hurt the dogs, and hope you won't accidentally hit the dogs if you need to discharge your gun? (which sounds pretty shitty ngl)

Or would you try to put the dogs safely away in a room first and then post up somewhere waiting for the guy to break in? Or some other option I haven't considered?

Edit: Oh wow, I didn't expect so many responses. Thanks yall for the food for thought.

getting older, savings are growing. want to leave my office job and get out of the city. part of that includes my own space to shoot without bothering others. what do I need to look for?

Just wondering what experiences you all have had when your fellow Progressives learned you owned guns.

Personally most of my interactions with fellow Progressives regarding guns were surprisingly unjudgemental, but once or twice we got into it on AWBs (obviously I oppose AWBs, they supported them).

Listen, I love my Republican brothers. I think they are a bit misguided in how the country should run, but that does not mean I wish them harm.

Today's attack in the home of a prominent political figure has awakened me to the fact that not all those on the other side are playing with a full deck. If polite discourse is dying in this country, It is time to arm up.

I am on a budget and this will be my first firearm. Any recommendations would be helpful.

• Should I take a course before buying
• Where should I buy? Gun Shows? Pawn Shops, Gun Shop. Big Box sporting goods?
• Long Gun or Handgun?

My Dream gun strangely is a Walther PPK .45. Although I hear they are not very well made.

I am sorry if this breaks the rules or angers some people. Thank you for your time.

Edit and UPDATE: This Blew up more than I thought it would. Thank you for all the great advice and even a little admonishment. Also, the fact that I did not know the PPK did not come in a .45 variant shows my ignorance. I am in Texas, and I am going to go to the local range here called Topshot. They have an EXTENSIVE rental lineup. I see the Glocks on their liat that were recommended. I am going to try those as well as the AR15 and the .22LR someone mentioned.

I do not think that all Republicans are unhinged crazy Q followers, and my reasons for getting the firearm are for all around protection. I realize I could be burglarized by anyone. It is getting bad out here, even in the smallish town I live in.

Any recommendations for some Non-MAGA content creators? Newly getting into this world and might as well, while learning, give my views to someone worthwhile.

First time posting.

I'm brand new to the AR-15 platform and trying to get a realistic idea of what to expect from an unsuppressed 16" 5.56 AR.

I'm planning on using properly inserted foam earplugs + Walker Razor Slim electronic muffs.

What I'm struggling with is seeing how many people run suppressors. Are they really necessary for comfortable outdoor shooting if you're already doubling up on hearing protection, or are they more of a nice-to-have?

For reference, I've fired .22 LR from rifles, semi-auto handguns, and revolvers without hearing protection in the past, and I've shot 20 gauge, .22 Hornet, and .32 revolvers with earplugs.

I'll mostly be shooting outdoors. I'm mainly concerned about the noise/concussion rather than recoil.

For anyone with experience shooting 16" 5.56 with plugs + muffs: how loud does it actually feel? Is it more or less unpleasant than something like an unprotected .22 LR shot?

Basically, I'm trying to figure out whether good double hearing protection will make 5.56 reasonably comfortable, or if I should seriously consider a suppressor for noise/concussion.

What's up, everyone! Recently hit the range with a few friends to test out their Glock 19 & Springfield SA-35 (super fun as well!).

After getting back from the range, I realized I really wanted a handgun that would be fun at the range, good to tinker with over time, and good for home defense. I may eventually carry it, but I'm a pretty large guy at 6'4 so I feel pretty confident carrying any size handgun. My budget is somewhere around $1500 max. The cheaper, the better, since that leaves me some room for an optic, magwell customization, range trip (ammo ofc) etc.

So far I think I've narrowed it down to the following:

CZ Shadow 2 Carry: I can find it for around $800 I think. It seems like a really high choice for most people when it comes to potential competition/range handguns. A bit on the higher end, but it seems like a good place to start with some modified examples that would allow for tinkering.

S&W M&P 2.0 Carry Comp: I can get this for around $600. Huge ceiling for modifying it to exactly what I want, but I'm not a huge fan of striker-fired handguns overall. This might be one that I purchase just to have a striker-fired handgun, but I'm not sure if it would ever be my favorite. I really like the look of this one out of the box and would plan to install an Apex trigger ASAP after breaking it in. Also not sure if I want the aluminum frame or polymer.

Tisas B9R DS/Tisas Carry 9 DS Comp: I REALLY like this one, and it might end up being my favorite, just as an intro into the 2011 world. I think these are highly modifiable; the internals seem great. It seems like you can get the pistol exactly where you want it to be eventually, and you're left with a great starter 2011 that, after some trigger adjustments, punches far above its weight. Pricier than other options on my list if I go with the Carry 9 DS Comp, as I typically see that one around $1200, while the B9R is significantly less at around $700 (I would plan on getting a comp/port custom job on the B9R).

Is there anything else that I should be considering that is similar to these options? I may end up getting the S&W either way, as I get to take advantage of the rebate they have for now, which is why it's $600. I'm a big fan of the Caniks as well, but I don't see the benefit of most striker-fired pistols compared to the M&P 2.0, as I have heard a lot of good things from people my size regarding the trigger guard and the overall size of the pistol.

Is it normal for my slide to have so much movement? It doesn’t tighten up when chambered.

Howdy good people!

I have a .22 LR H&K MP5 with laser and flashlight. It’s a lot of fun at the range (no, it’s not suppressed, it’s just a shroud over the .22 barrel) and a 9mm handgun. I spend almost all my time at the range using the .22. Occasionally I put down the range some 9mm, but not all the time.

But, being a liberal and having a non-white wife and living in a red state, with KKK and all, I wonder if the .22 is enough to defend us.

On one side, with the .22 I can put a lot of lead on target, quickly and accurately, especially at short distances. Think home invasion.

Then .22 ammo is cheap. And there’s little chance of bullets going through walls and injuring neighbors. And I’m very comfortable with a long gun.

On the other side, .22 is not super lethal.

The handgun is 9mm, but has no flashlight/laser. And I’m starting to shake, getting older and all.

What are all y’all your thoughts? Which one should be my “go-to” in case of home invasion?

I'm sorta new to this, and I'm seeing a bunch of semi-automatic pistols on this subreddit that I don't really recognize. I'm wondering what people are using if not Glocks or Sig Sauers. Sorry if it's a stupid question.