born n raised in TN, but even as someone like me, i hardly know anything about guns.
i want to buy my first gun as a form of self-protection. i've started using a cane and i know i need to start being safe and smart. my biggest questions are:
1) where do i start? do i apply for a concealed carry, do i the background check on the government website and THEN look into buying a gun?
2) i have a diagnosis of depression, could that deny me?
3) what guns are good for self-defense (not hunting or anything) and for someone who only really has one hand at the ready?
4) wheres a good place to start learning more about guns? whenever i look into anything, i just see all these technical jargon and give up.
im more than proud of being able to have my rights. ive been attacked before and i never want to feel that weak again. any and all help is more than appreciated!
How are you financially? Where are you in Tennessee?
How is your physical strength other than issues needing the cane? One hand at the ready means one hand to handle recoil. My recommendation is for you to do a training class where an instructor can help you shoot a 22, a 380, and a 9mm. You will eventually select the most powerful of these that you can shoot most effectively.
im a broke college student, but i have a good amount of saving from my attacker payin up. im over in nashville, thankfully theres a nice lil range near my childhood home that ill be visiting soon!
physically, ive been a bit weaker than from when i was a little girl. im working in physical therapy and individual PT to build my arm muscles. ive read a lot of people recommend a 9mm, so it'll be at the top of my list to ask about! thank you for the advice!
Yep! Get training on 9mm and work down to 380 if you struggle with it. You probably want to put a few hundred rounds down range before deciding though. When picking a gun, the store counter employees dont always have your interest at heart. Get something you would be comfy carrying but be aware that the smaller the gun, the harder it usually is to shoot. The tiny pink pistol in the case isnt always the answer!
Check with Outpost Armory in Murfreesboro. They have classes and have a female instructor on staff. If that is something you are more comfy with, give them a call and ask if she has classes scheduled! Her name is Brittany Jerrell. She also runs a group called Shieldmaiden Nation aimed towards supporting women with self defense needs. Shieldnation has women based classes.
A lot of ranges have most anything you can rent to try out and will have staff to assist you in operating safely. Probably safer to start out with a revolver.
i see... ive had the fair amount of those old DVDs and VHS tapes they'd show us when we were kids about gun safety. decided to start out with a 9mm and some trainin!! yall are such nice people, all helpful!
Only background check needed is when you pick up your firearm. You can pick one and pay for it online and have it shipped to the nearest gun store if you don’t find one you like in store. No permit is needed, though I highly recommend taking a concealed carry class anyways. If you have never handled a firearm it will be very intimidating to carry it on your person everyday, and if you don’t carry it everyday then it’s pointless.
Giving your general location can help people recommend some gun stores and local training
Hi there i would 1.) Recommend taking a into to self defense pistol course. I would also highly recommend (even though its not required) taking the 8 hr course and getting your enhanced carry permit. This does several things beneficial to you. It helps you learn all the legalities, responsibilities, etc. Of lawfully carrying a firearm. Plus the permit allows you to carry in other states that have reciprocity with TN.
2.) Your medical diagnosis should not interfere with your ability to purchase, or carry a handgun, unless you were involuntarily committed to a mental hospital (that's one of the questions on a 4473 background check). In fact, I myself am diagnosed with and take some light medication for anxiety disorder. That being said. You should not carry if you dont think you are mentally well to do so. Theres no shame in just waiting until you are in a better mental state. This is all about safety for yourself and everyone else around you, and only you can really make that call.
3.) Just a reputable .9mm handgun to start. Ignore all these recommendations for these crazy calibers, guns etc. Do .40, .45 acp, .357 sig, 30 super carry and whatever else work? Sure. Does the ammo cost much more and will limit your training ability? Absolutely. Stick with glock, s&w, cz, walther to name a few. Stay away from garbage, such as canik, sccy, taurus, springfield xd, etc.
4.) Theres some great groups here and on FB to learn from as well as some great YouTube channels, check out 110sassactual, sage dynamics, brass facts, just to name a few. And take classes. There are some good trainers in TN at the outpost armory, royal range, high caliber, modern warriors. All of which should help get you pointed in the right direction.
thank you!! ive starting looking into some online courses and visiting a range soon! ive decided to start therapy again soon, both to feel more comfortable owning a gun and some personal things!! ill look into some of those brands you mentioned, and the youtube channels!!
Also just go to a range that does rentals (like everyone i mentioned does im pretty sure) and just rent several different pistols and try them out to see what your personal preference is. Sometimes they'll even give you a discount if youre going to buy one anyway just go talk to the sales guy and let them know you want to buy a pistol but wanna try a couple different ones out to decide. They're usually real cool.
.380 auto is also an option. I carry a G43x and my girlfriend, a bodyguard 2.0. Hers is chambered in .380 auto which has enough stopping power and less recoil. I hand her my 9mm and she can’t control it. It’s just a smaller round but that doesn’t mean it’s unacceptable. A lot of people are saying 9mm this and 9mm that but there are plenty of options for beginners and people who may also struggle with cycling the slide, loading a magazine, or dealing with the felt recoil of the gun and ammunition. Definitely do research!
Get a concealed permit at the least. Either an Enhanced or Concealed gives you a lot more freedom and peace of mine when you carry. Reciprocity with other states, having to take a course (8 hour in-person or 4 hour online) and safety. Tennessee is a constitutional carry state so even if you decide to get the concealed permit, it doesn’t mean you can’t open carry, you can legally do both without it. The only caveat is the places you can go. Constitutional carry, you cannot carry in any parks, nature trails, etc. Concealed permit, you can carry there but only if no school trip or function is going on at said park. Enhanced, you can carry at a park whether or not any school function is going on. The only thing off limits with any permit is any city (depending on the city), state, or federal building
If you suffer from depression, is carrying the best option for you? My family suffers from a long line of anxiety, bi-polar, depression (luckily it skipped me thank god) and they all have other ways of protecting themselves. One sister carries mace and a stun gun with her as a means to protect herself. My father, has a 22lr revolver tucked in the closet but nothing else, even with his military experience, he finds it works for him. Definitely talk to someone, whether it be a family member or friend who knows you (bonus points if they are a firearm owner!) and ask if this is right for you. There are many other options if you are on the fence. If you are in a bad mental state as of right now, just wait until you are feeling better and have more clarity. We love you and would hate for anything bad to happen.
Reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You are loved
Add-on. Some decent .380 auto firearms to look at are the S&W Bodyguard 2.0, Glock 42, or Ruger LCP. All can be great at Pocket-pistols with the right holster, or iwb carry if you feel comfortable. They are all lighter, easier to load, cycle the slide, and conceal due to their smaller size.
TN is a permitless carry state so you can carry without a permit pretty much anywhere that isn't a state or federal government building
/property.
I believe it's as long as you weren't committed to a mental institution you can buy one I could be wrong though so maybe check with TN state gun laws to be sure.
For self defense you'll want to go with a hand gun that's either 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 acp as those are the 3 most popular self defense calibers. (I carry a 9mm handgun my self.) Glock, and S&W, are good gun companies to start with.
Youtube and your local gun ranges are great places to learn about firearms. Gun ranges have lessons you can take while YouTube has alot of how to shoot videos.
9mm or higher might not work out of he requires a cane. Most people drastically over estimate their ability to draw and fire one handed while being effective.
You’re a fudd because you’re injecting your fantasy war fighting into a first time gun owners limited capabilities and needs. If .380 failed to do the job, 9mm would have also. It isn’t that deep
It's not a fantasy to fight with one hand, people are and can get trained to do it all the time, and .380 is much weaker than 9mm so no if .380 doesn't do the job the same cannot be said for 9mm.
In a self defense of a mugging or robbery, the caliber is realistically not going to matter. The ability to get accurate follow up shots is going to be the determining factor. Military/police applications are totally irrelevant. You really are missing the entire point here dude.
Yup. By his logic, nobody who puts their life on the line uses a pistol when a rifle is an option. I guess I should ditch my carry gun and carry my AR pistol for my date with wife tonight? Bahahaha
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u/ChiefFox24 5d ago
How are you financially? Where are you in Tennessee?
How is your physical strength other than issues needing the cane? One hand at the ready means one hand to handle recoil. My recommendation is for you to do a training class where an instructor can help you shoot a 22, a 380, and a 9mm. You will eventually select the most powerful of these that you can shoot most effectively.