registering a handgun

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Tcb:

Congrats on the new S&W.... The M&P 40 Full Size ("40FS") is a fine bedside, truck, or range gun, but a tad large to carry concealed, although I can do it. Helps to be over 6' and 'round 300# :D.... The Compact version is a little chubby 'cause it's a double-stack. The newer Shield (in 9mm and .40S&W) is a single stack, and a little smaller for carry. IMHO, the .40 Shield may be a little much for some people.

They have a couple of .40 semi's that are somewhat less desirable, but basically not bad at all. (The 40C is a little snappy, but nothing most people would have a major issue with.) I have a 40FS and 40C, and find that the latter is a little slower to get back on target. YMMV, though.

The real, IMHO, problem with the .40 over 9mm is just that - the gun will jump a little and take a tad longer to get back on target. In addition, you may need more than one shot to really STOP (we shoot to STOP) somebody, and while the 9mm will be a little better at that, you're less likely to need that second shot if you hit with the first one with a .40. (Or, a .45!)

If you're concerned just with establishing ownership, put the gun on a "named personal property" section in your homeowners insurance. The cost is almost nil, but you end up with a list that's not generally available publicly, and real hard for the BG to steal.

DO get a license if at all possible. You may (will) eventually decide you want to carry something.... Rule #1, though, is "if you are going someplace you think you'll probably need a gun, you shouldn't go."

The NRA has a couple of books on personal protection. Can't think of the titles. Grab one (your local gun store probably has 'em), and find a way to get some range time before you hit the class. The level of expertise I've run into in classes varies from "what's a gun" to Expert Class.... It helps to be a little ahead of the game.

Regards,
 
Originally Posted by Tcb gilpin
Sorry i am a female. just want to do the right thing since i am new to the owning a hand gun.

HisStigness said:
Don't ever apologize for being a female. We're all here to learn something and help each other learn. The paperwork that gets filled out when you buy a gun from an FFL is for a record of sale and to initiate an NICS background check. The gun isn't "registered" to you.
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Tcb Gilpin, Welcome to the site. This is a great place to learn on the net.

You started the thread with the intention of wanting to do the right thing. That's always commendable so please don't think any of the replies are against your intentions.


HisStigness has hit on what I think answers what you didn't ask so I just wanted to point it out again. He's also right about not apologizing.


If you bought it through an FFL (a gun dealer/gun shop) the paperwork you filled out is as 'registered' as you get unless your state laws have stricter, more intrusive, laws.

I don't know your laws but judging by what others have said, yours doesn't.

As others have said training / practice is always good.

Stick around... this is arguably the best firearms site on the net and pretty civil too (very civil as compared to some sites).

The corneredcat site that some else mentioned too is great as well.
 
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Welcome to THR.

Lots of good information here for gun owners. Best site I have found to discuss firearms and related laws. We even have some resident attorneys who can shed light on the law, not to give anyone legal advice but to look at things with a legal background. Very helpful.

We need more women here and I hope you stay with us and participate in the discussions.

You will help us with our goal to get everyone involved in 2A issues.

Thanks for posting.
 
Tcb:

About "registration".... I've been carrying for more than 45 years, and have kept current (in so far is possible) with all the various Federal and State (OH) laws/rules.

I've been pretty up front about such things around the house, too, and while I rarely Open Carried around the house, that I usually was carrying something was no secret.

The mud monster was still in diapers when she found out about it. She shoots with me when she can, although I wish we'd started that earlier, I bought her a gun a few years back, but can't get her to get licensed - she works in a hospital, and can't carry there. Although she only lives a few blocks away from work, it's far enough (and both her apartment and work are in semi-bad areas) that she needs a car. Mostly though, she's into occasionally driving 175 miles each way to visit us old folks and the two cats and a dog she's gifted to us 'cause us empty-nesters needed something to do :D....

She finally decided that she needed the gun in her apartment. First thing she asked was "how do I register this thing?"..... (She'll be 29 momentarily.)

You'd think she'd have figured that out by now, even if I hadn't told her....

***

About female shooters: Some years ago, one of the guys used to bring his girlfriend out to the club range with regularity. Very cute little blonde in her mid-30's. Not really a "gun person", but enjoyed her boyfriend's company. Our club range isn't much used, but the general "rule" is that if I (or somebody else) has a few guns on the table, you can always ask to try one. (You can't get on the range without muffs and glasses, and we're always good about safety instruction and general "this is the front" instruction. As well as a little - or a lot - of help in getting on the paper, etc.)

At the time, I had a gun that S&W kind of missed the boat with. She shot it better than any of the guys, including me.... Same thing with about everything she tried.

'Bout 40 years ago, I helped a friend with the range portion of a firearms course for Law Enforcement students at the local College. One of the students was a very small young lady, so the instructor gave her a small .38 to shoot with. She couldn't hit the backstop.... Swapped up to a small 4" Colt revolver, and it wasn't much better. Finally, she asked to try the guns the guys were using (4" S&W Model 10s, .38 caliber revolvers). Like it was made for her (although I'm not sure she could actually wear the thing)....

In short, some of the guys are surprised to find out that women can shoot well. I've gotten past that :cool:.... (And it's OK to buy a pink one :D....) Just wear a baseball cap or some such on the range (keeps the cases out of your hair) and a shirt that isn't too open (you really don't want a hot casing landing in there :fire:), and ENJOY!

Regards,
 
danez71 said:
As others have said training / practice is always good.

Stick around... this is arguably the best firearms site on the net and pretty civil too (very civil as compared to some sites).

The corneredcat site that some else mentioned too is great as well.
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All very good points! :cool: Welcome to THR, Tcb gilpin. I believe you will enjoy your stay. :)
 
Welcome aboard !

I second what everybody's been saying, especially about getting on "The Cornered Cat" website.

Two bits of advice for you:

1. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even the simple ones. ("What's 'single stack' versus 'double stack'?") I've been shooting for well over 65 years and I still have questions.

2. Firing a large handgun can be intimidating, not so much from the "kick," but from the noise, especially on indoor ranges. I recommend wearing both earplugs and earmuffs --definitely if you have lots of hair and wear earrings. Make sure the seal between the earmuffs and your head is good.

Good luck and enjoy yourself. Shooting is one of the most satisfying sports there is, and surely helps in establishing discipline of mind and body.

Terry, 230RN
 
Newbie ladies have a major advantage over guys when it comes to learning about guns. They don't have to un-learn all that macho BS that's inculcated by Hollywood's "How not to do it" gun stuff. :D
 
Art Eatman said:
Newbie ladies have a major advantage over guys when it comes to learning about guns. They don't have to un-learn all that macho BS that's inculcated by Hollywood's "How not to do it" gun stuff. :D
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Amen to that. Too many men seem to think that they're automatically gun experts simply because they're men and they've shot a few guns before.

I work at an LGS/range and I hate it when a guy brings in a woman to buy her first gun. Too often he's full of terrible information and bad recomendations, and I have to walk the thin line between providing good information but not insulting him by outright contradicting the things he's telling her.

In my experience, women are much easier to deal with because they're willing to admit they don't know much about guns and are willing to listen to you.
 
It is always a good idea to write down the brand, model, caliber, and serial number of your gun(s) (as well as other valuables) and keep it stored in a safe place so that you can report it in case it is ever stolen, file for insurance, etc. You can can certainly store that information yourself if you choose, and are under no obligation to report it to anyone else in most places.
 
From the viewpoint of this sites membership, doing the right thing will be getting some basic training to ensure you are _always_ safe in your gun handling. An inexpensive but secure firearms cabinet is also a good thing if you are going to be leaving the house unattended most of the time.
Registration is seen as the first step to confiscation, I've personally been there, done that when the laws were changed here in Australia.
Oh as for being female? Don't let that be a mental block. My ex started out as a hobby shooter with me and ended up on our Prime Minister's security detail.
 
1. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even the simple ones. ("What's 'single stack' versus 'double stack'?") I've been shooting for well over 65 years and I still have questions.
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+1. THR is a pretty friendly place to do so, as well. The guys here have a tendency to take the newbies under their wings, and answer even the silliest questions with respect. We were all new at one time, and the folks here remember that. So, we hope you decide to stick around.
 
Welcome

As others have said, welcome, and dont' be afraid to ask questions. As an NRA instructor I can confirm that the ladies make the best students. They actually listen and try to learn instead of assuming that they weren't magically born already knowing how to shoot. Imagine!

Glad you're here,
 
I am of the opinion that registering your gun when it is not required by law is not doing the right thing but doing the wrong thing.

Government and State officials have absolutely no business knowing what and how many firearms a law abiding person owns.

It does not help prevent crime and is most likely to only cause future problems down the road for honest people who wrongly thought it was a wise idea.

If your state does not require registration don't do it. It is not smart and it is far from ethical.
 
Theohazard said:
In my experience, women are much easier to deal with because they're willing to admit they don't know much about guns and are willing to listen to you.
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My wife was in the military. And sometimes she can be just as stubborn about firearms when she "thinks" she is right. Or another female I was training at university who claimed she was an expert shot, but didn't put a single bullet hole in a paper target 7 yards away with 2 magazines of a G22.
 
Maybe it's just me, but I found some responses to this thread to be a bit disheartening, and a little bit rude to a new gun owner.

I honestly don't think the OP was asking about doing something that was unnecessary. I don't imagine she came into this question thinking "wow, I really want the government to be a part of this!" Instead, like many new gun owners (male or female) she was probably unaware that many places do not require registration of firearms. This is a pretty common misconception, and one that I get asked about fairly frequently. So, why should anyone reply with such an unwelcoming tone?

Obviously the "WHY would you want to register???" question is answered quite simply: if you believe it is a legal requirement, and don't want to commit a crime, then you comply with the requirement.

Anyway, I'm digressing from the point I was originally trying to make. Although I'm not an expert on KY gun laws, the last time I checked there was no registration requirement in that state.

As others have mentioned, if you are new to guns it would be wise to seek some training. Please feel free to post any other questions you have, and don't be discouraged based on some of these responses… registration is a touchy subject for good reasons that I'm sure you'll soon come to understand.
 
I honestly don't think the OP was asking about doing something that was unnecessary. I don't imagine she came into this question thinking "wow, I really want the government to be a part of this!"
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She was asking precisely that:
I live in Kentucky and would like to register a handgun that I bought from a friend I know legally I don't have to but I would like to. how do I do this
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(emphasis added)

Instead, like many new gun owners (male or female) she was probably unaware that many places do not require registration of firearms. This is a pretty common misconception, and one that I get asked about fairly frequently. So, why should anyone reply with such an unwelcoming tone?
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The misconception here is that places which do not legally require registration, have voluntary government-run registration schemes (most do not). Indeed she did want the government to be a part of this. Many of us here would roll over in our graves before voluntarily registering a firearm, but a layperson has no idea why registration is unneeded and unwanted.

Also:
Glock model 22. It's a full size duty weapon that shoots 40 S&W.
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I was actually thinking Walther G22. :)

G22.jpg
 
I work at an LGS, and this is a question that people ask all the time. I can't count how many people have asked how to get guns "put into their name", and they seem amazed when I tell them that there's no such thing (that changes slightly now that 594 is in effect here in WA, but that's a different issue).

Whether or not the OP thought she was legally required to register her gun, she obviously thought it was something she should do as a responsible gun owner.
 
General Geoff said:
She was asking precisely that:
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I see what you're saying, and humbly stand corrected. Admittedly, reading comprehension sometimes goes down for me after midnight ;)

Anyway, maybe it's just me, but I always try to tread lightly with new gun owners who are trying to figure out the legal and practical environment. I want these folks to become more involved, rather than feeling ridiculed for trying to "do the right thing".

Obviously I agree that there is no need for registration, particularly when it is not required in any way!
 
The OP's Original Question

Being only one state north of The OP, (in Indiana ), reading her question and thinking about something I'm about to do........there's something that I'd really like to know without actually asking a direct question. As.....is anyone here familiar with, shall we say, living in one state and buying a hand gun in a "neighboring" state? I'm sure there are enough Indiana residents here that there will be someone who knows the requirements of buying a gun in Indiana?

I really like the guys in the gun shop I've been talking to, but I sure hate to have my name recorded if there's any way around it.
 
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