By Paul Lathrop | Contributing Editor
Over 7.5 million people became new gun owners this year, and if one of those people are on your Christmas gift list here are a few ideas on what to get for them.
First is training. Let’s face it, besides being a defensive tool and a lot of fun, guns are lethal weapons. They can be used safely, but the knowledge of how to use a firearm safely isn’t instinctive. For the absolute beginner, the NRA curriculum offers a variety of courses from basic safety to more advanced options and is available in most areas of the country close to where you live.
If your gift recipient has a little more experience with firearms, then a certificate for more advanced training may be appropriate. A quick internet search should point to training opportunities in your area.
If your recipient has a love of reading, there are several great books that you should consider. At the top of the list is Kathy Jackson’s The Cornered Cat: A Woman’s Guide to Concealed Carry also available as an audiobook. A little secret about this book is that it isn’t just for women. Both men and women will get a lot out of it.
Also a good choice is Massad Ayoob’s classic, ground-breaking book, In the Gravest Extreme: The Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection. Any of Ayoob’s books are worth the read, and this one is the primer that will launch you into the rest of them.
Andrew Branca has a book specifically about the law and self-defense, it is a great supplement to any training.
John Petrolino has a very easy to read and comprehensive book on the market as well titled Decoding Firearms.
If the person that you are going to be giving a gift to has children, Yehuda Remer’s Safety On is a great choice. Remer is the first author to write about gun safety in a book for children.
A little bit about books and training. You can never have enough knowledge. One thing all top-level firearms trainers will agree on is that they are always learning, learn from their example, and keep increasing your knowledge, it pays big dividends.
Membership to a gun rights organization such as the Second Amendment Foundation, the NRA, or your local or state level gun rights organizations are a great gift idea as well.
Lastly, if someone is new in the firearms world, consider getting memberships for them in organizations like the Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network, US Law Shield, U.S. Concealed Carry Association and others. Should they need to use their gun in self-defense, belonging to one of these groups could be a significant advantage.
Check back tomorrow when we continue the series talking about gear and other options for the new gun owner.
