help! buying my first gun

[aliased]

Hey everybody, first time poster here. Having recently watched some progs on OLN tv, ive been rekindling the hunting fantasies ive had during my childhood. My dad used to hunt and i had always wanted to accompany him, but never had the opportunity to do so- as i was too young. Now that im of age, im ready to enter the foray. im hoping someone could help me with a question i have. ive learned so much through these forums that i thought this was the most appropriate place to ask.

Im a native californian but my current place of residence is the DC area (I am a student). I want to purchase my first firearm- a ruger 10/22- but am somewhat unsettled as to how i will go about doing it. As a californian temporarily residing in DC... will i have to overcome any special hurdles, if i want to head over to the neighboring VIRGINIA walmart? any insight would be appreciated, especially from those in the DC metro area. thanks

 

[VARifleman]

Not until you change your residence will you be able to buy from a Walmart here in VA. I'd suggest trying to find something in VA and becoming a VA resident. We have better gun laws than most every other state sans AZ and VT.

 

[Bill2k1]

If you go to a wal-mart, on the gun display case there is a country map. It highlights what state you are from and if you can buy a weapon in the state you are in. I am fairly sure California is no good here(Wisconsin), so you would have to check it out.

 

[armoredman]

Native Clifornian living in DC? Good grief, I am sorry. When could you move to a free state?

 

[Wiley]

Sorry guy, untill you at least move out of DC your hunting will have to be with a camera.

Actualy not a bad way to practice hunting skills.

 

[wdlsguy]

Do you live in DC, MD or VA? DC is at/near the top of the list when it comes to anti-gun jurisdictions.

It is possible to own a rifle or shotgun in DC, but you have to wade through DC's red tape.

 

[jefnvk]

Your state of citizenship (I guess that is the word for it) is what will determine if you can buy a gun in another state. You may have some DC laws that prevent you from owning a weapon in the city, or may require a permit. I don't know, I'm not going to pretend to know, and I am not going to offer helpful advice like 'move to a free state'

I do know that Californians cannot buy a firearm in Michigan.

Your best bet, is to probably check with a DC police station, on what is required to keep the firearm there. Next time you go home for vacation, buy the gun in California, then do whatever is necessary to let you legally keep it with you in DC.

 

[Polishrifleman]

Those must be some pretty interesting hunting fantasies for a 10-22. Welcome aboard and good luck. As you will hear and have already become aware of, you couldn't choose two more horrible places to reside in the US.

 

[aliased]

thanks for the info guys. i guess i have to wait until i move to va

 

[Bill2k1]

If I can make a suggestion based on weapons, a shotgun would be a better first gun choice IMHO. You will be able to hunt small game, upland bird, waterfowl, deer and do recreational shooting (trap/skeet/sportingclays) with 1 gun and a few chokes. It is the best way for a budget minded shooter to start hunting (I feel the pain of guns and college, always seems there is not enough money to buy ammo/hunting items and never enough cash for guns)

 

[Smokey Joe]

Welcome aboard!

Aliased--Welcome aboard, anyhow! No time like the present to start becoming a hunter. As with any new pursuit, gathering information is an important part of the process. And no law in DC or elsewhere abridges your right to knowledge, AFAIK.

There are lots of books on hunting various kinds of wildlife. You are close to the DelMarVa peninsula, which is famous for waterfowl hunting opportunities. I'd not pass that by were I you. James Michener's Chesapeake while not a hunting book per se, gives a very comprehensive view of the history of the Chesapeake Bay area.

Whatever state you are in, I think, will give Hunter Safety courses, which are often required before you buy a hunting license. This would be a very good place to start the learning process, as well as make some good contacts with people who are current hunters.

 

[rms/pa]

oh my, a CA living in DC... the mind boggles...
your first gun should fit you. your interests, your pocketbook, your body.

the legalities of getting a firearm while out of your home state are many and varied. good luck in DC.

if you are an unmarried student residency is where you hang your hat, get an apartment in PA,
45min or less trip back and forth on US15. get a PA drivers license. then go gunshopping in PA. much less complicated.

yes i am biased in favor of PA

rms/pa

 

[rust collector]

As others have said, welcome! We are glad to have you with us, and sorry that it is so difficult for hunters in the concrete canyons of the city. Step one is to get the right information on possession laws in your current part of the world, and that may be available from local PD help desk and retailers in the area. An internet search on the topic may be helpful.

You should be able to find a shooting range where you might be able to rent a 10-22 and hone your skills a bit pending a more favorable venue. It's tough to get hunting opportunities in urban areas, but there's a whole lot of country out there and your challenge is to connect with it through friends, relatives and others who share your interest in hunting and the shooting sports.