Should you buy a gun?

There are many reasons someone might consider becoming a firearms owner, including sport shooting and competition, hunting and wildlife conservation, collecting for historical interest, and family heirloom preservation. However, since the 2024 U.S. election, I’ve personally reviewed over a thousand training requests from liberals who do not have these traditional motivations but are considering firearm ownership for the first time for a different reason. Many of them are grappling with a fundamental question: Should I buy a gun for self-defense?

Purchasing a firearm is a significant responsibility. It is not a quick fix and should never be an impulsive decision. Before deciding to own a gun, it’s essential to evaluate whether it makes sense given your situation, resources, and mental state. While the idea of purchasing a gun may seem like an immediate solution to concerns about safety or security, the reality is much more complex.

Ultimately, firearm ownership is a risk management decision—will the risks outweigh the benefits for you? This post does not attempt to directly answer the question "Should you buy a gun?" Instead, it provides a reference to help you assess key risk factors before making your decision. *

1. Emotional, Moral, and Mental Readiness

Risks:

• Buying a firearm out of fear or impulse can lead to regret and potential misuse. When under distress and activated by the fight-or-flight response, cognitive judgment may be compromised. It’s easy to overlook mental and emotional risk factors.
• Suicide disproportionately affects gun owners, especially in marginalized communities that may already feel at risk in the current political climate. Those experiencing anxiety, depression, or personal crises may make irreversible decisions if a firearm is readily available. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers dedicated resources, including support for LGBTQ+ individuals who may be at increased risk.
• Many liberals struggle with internal conflict over gun ownership, as it has long felt at odds with their core values. The prevailing narrative around the Second Amendment often presents it as a binary issue, making it difficult for those new to firearms to reconcile self-defense with their broader beliefs. Without a supportive space to explore these perspectives, some may hesitate to seek training or make informed decisions, leaving them unprepared in situations where personal or community safety is at risk.
• The broad-reaching consequences of using a firearm in self-defense are often underestimated:
• Even if a shooting is legally justified, the financial burden can be immense. Survivors of self-defense incidents often face prolonged legal battles, including criminal investigations and civil lawsuits. Legal defense fees can amount to tens of thousands of dollars. Court appearances and case resolutions can take months and even years, leading to significant lost income. The psychological impact may also affect one’s ability to return to work or maintain employment. If your name becomes publicly associated with a deadly use of force, future job opportunities may be limited due to stigma or scrutiny.
• Defending yourself in a violent encounter can lead to retribution. Whether from the attacker’s associates, their family, or even public scrutiny, individuals who use a firearm in self-defense may face ongoing threats, harassment, or retaliation. In some cases, social, legal, and media backlash can add further stress, making it critical to consider the potential long-term consequences of a defensive use of force.
• Survivors often report that the emotional and mental impact of using lethal force damages personal relationships, sometimes leading to divorce or estrangement from friends and family.
• For those with strong spiritual or religious beliefs, taking a life—even in self-defense—can create a profound moral and existential struggle. Guilt, regret, or a sense of spiritual conflict can weigh heavily, particularly if one’s faith emphasizes nonviolence, forgiveness, or the sanctity of life. Some may experience long-term distress, questioning their beliefs or seeking spiritual guidance to reconcile their actions.
• If you choose not to buy and train for armed self-defense but later find that this need becomes essential, you may face significant delays in legally acquiring a firearm. Depending on your state and permit requirements, the process to purchase a firearm could take months—potentially leaving you unprepared in a critical moment.

Mitigations:

• If you or someone you know is experiencing mental health struggles, take a step back and evaluate whether firearm ownership is a safe choice. Seek support from trusted friends, family, or mental health professionals.
• Organizations like Walk the Talk America provide free, anonymous mental health screenings and resources on firearm ownership and mental well-being.
• Before deciding to bring a firearm into a shared living space, have an open conversation with family members or roommates about their comfort levels, concerns, and expectations. Discuss safety, storage, and who will have access to ensure everyone feels secure. Including those who share your home in the decision fosters trust, prevents conflicts, and helps create a responsible plan for firearm ownership.
• Consider joining organizations like The Liberal Gun Club and Liberal Gun Owners which have emerged as safe spaces for progressives to explore Second Amendment rights in a way that aligns with their values. Gun culture is evolving beyond its traditional roots. Professor David Yamane describes this shift as "Gun Culture 2.0," where firearm ownership is increasingly more diverse than ever, welcoming people from all backgrounds, political beliefs, and lived experiences. For those navigating this shift, Professor Yamane’s book, Gun Curious: A Liberal Professor's Surprising Journey Inside America's Gun Culture, offers insightful perspectives on the changing landscape of American gun ownership.
• If you choose to become a gun owner:
• Prioritize your mental wellness. Practice regular self care and nervous system regulation. Seek professional care when needed
• Practice the “Cause a Pause” strategy - placing a meaningful item such as a photo of a loved one or another cherished symbol near firearms
• Delay or prohibit your own access to firearms when a personal crisis arises. Ask a friend to keep vital components or ammunition temporarily or leverage temporary old solutions like Hold My Guns if available in your area.
• Using a firearm in self defense should be a last resort. Take training that goes beyond safety and familiarization that appropriately covers violence evasion and de-escalation techniques to minimize the risk you ever need to use a firearm in self defense such as the PDT Concealed Carry Fundamentals class.
• Assess your Personal Risk Profile (PRP). In our training courses, we help individuals create a PRP, which compares the likelihood and impact of potential threats. Using the Plausibility Principle, this process helps determine the most relevant areas of focus in self-defense training. Assessing your PRP can help you evaluate whether firearm ownership is necessary for your safety or if other strategies might be more effective.
• Even if you decide not to purchase a firearm now, consider obtaining the necessary permits and taking basic firearm safety training in advance. This ensures that if your circumstances change, you can legally acquire and use a firearm without additional delays.

2. Training and Proficiency

Risks:

• Overconfidence without experience can be dangerous. Many first-time gun owners underestimate the skill and discipline required for safe firearm handling. Without proper training, they may store, carry, or use their firearms improperly, increasing the risk of negligent discharges—especially in high-stress situations where strong fundamentals and real confidence are crucial.
• Not all training is created equal. Many courses, including those required for permits, focus on general firearm knowledge, hunting, or competition shooting rather than practical self-defense. Even "Concealed Carry" permit classes tend to emphasize legal requirements over essential defensive skills, often lacking real-world context for using a firearm in self-defense situations.
• Access to inclusive, high-quality training can be a challenge. Marginalized groups often struggle to find safe, welcoming training environments, leading many to rely solely on online videos. While helpful, these resources are often contradictory, outdated, or missing the critical instructor interactions necessary for real comprehension and skill development.
• Firearm skills deteriorate without consistent practice. A single training class can build a foundation, but ongoing education, instructor-led training, and regular practice are essential for maintaining proficiency. However, traditional training methods—requiring thousands of rounds and years of practice—can be financially and logistically inaccessible for many people.

Mitigations:

• Take firearm safety and handling courses such as The Liberal Gun Club from instructors certified by national, reputable programs. Comprehensive training from certified instructors not only teaches the mechanics of firearm use but also emphasizes safe handling practices. Not all instructors are the same. Ask to see the code of conduct instructors follow before registering for a class and look for evidence instructors are held to an ethical standard that matches your values.
• Seek defensive shooting training that focuses on the real world scenarios likely to be faced by civilians, not military or competition style scenarios that may be fun, but ultimately do not translate well to the most plausible scenarios. Your defensive shooting training should help you achieve viable levels of skill in the least amount of time, effort, and energy as possible, and should include a high degree of realism that integrates movement, randomizes scenarios, factors in the bodies natural reactions to extreme stress, and addresses cognitive processing while under stress. See Intuitive Defensive Shooting, Home and Community Defense, and Concealed Carry Fundamentals from PDT as examples of training that includes all of these contexts.
• Regular training and practice is equally important, ensuring that owners develop confidence and the ability to respond appropriately in real-world situations. Through frequent and realistic training, gun owners can connect the body's natural reactions to appropriate defensive responses that maximize the chances for survival in chaotic, surprising lethal encounters.

3. Legal and Ethical Considerations

Risks:

• Failure to understand local, state, and federal laws can result in serious legal consequences. Gun laws vary widely by jurisdiction, and ignorance is not a valid defense. Violations related to carrying, transporting, or using a firearm can lead to fines, criminal charges, or the loss of firearm rights, potentially impacting future legal ownership.
• Firearms laws are often written without practical firearms knowledge in mind. While legal compliance is essential, it should not be the sole focus of your firearm-related decisions.
• Additionally, firearm modifications can have unintended legal consequences. Altering your concealed carry gun in ways that could be interpreted as reckless or unsafe may negatively impact your legal defense in a self-defense situation.

Mitigations:

• Stay informed about firearm laws. Regulations change frequently, and responsible gun owners must keep up with these developments to ensure compliance. Consider consulting legal professionals, enrolling in legal awareness courses, and following reputable sources on firearm legislation.
• Obtain legal support. Consider CCW insurance or establishing a relationship with a criminal defense attorney in case you ever need legal representation.
• Document your training. Keeping records of your firearm training can help demonstrate responsible gun ownership if ever needed in court.
• Manage your online presence. Be mindful of what you post about guns and self-defense, as public statements can be misinterpreted and used against you in legal proceedings.
• Join local firearm organizations to interact with others in your area familiar with local laws. Groups like The Liberal Gun Club can provide valuable community support. However, always consult a licensed attorney for specific legal guidance.
• When developing safety habits, think beyond compliance. For example, while a simple cable lock may meet legal storage requirements in some areas, it offers little real-world protection against unauthorized access. Prioritize practical security measures that go beyond the minimum legal standards.

4. Safe Storage and Accessibility

Risks:

• Improper firearm storage can lead to unauthorized access by children, family members, or criminals. A firearm that is too easily accessible poses significant risks, particularly in households with young children or individuals unfamiliar with firearm safety.
• Unsecured firearms are also a prime target for theft, increasing the likelihood that they end up in the wrong hands and contribute to crime. Additionally, balancing quick access in emergencies ("staging") with secure storage is a critical challenge for responsible gun owners.

Mitigations:

• Invest in high-quality storage and staging solutions. Options and locks vary wildly in quality and many can be broken into easily. See Lock Picking Lawyer's and Deviant Ollam's YouTube channels for a ton of information on lock quality.
• Store guns and ammunition separately when not staging for self-defense.
• Secure backup keys. Store any backup keys for safes and lockboxes in separate, secure locations—having a strong safe is pointless if the keys are easily accessible to others in your home.
• Enhance security with surveillance. If you have children in the home, consider storing firearms and ammunition in locations monitored by security cameras with motion detection. These systems can send instant alerts to your phone if someone attempts unauthorized access.
• Teach your kids about guns. Just because they aren't asking, doesn't mean they don't have questions. Even if you don't have guns, the conversation is important. They may see them when you're not there (such as at a friend’s house). Don't rely on or expect others will teach kids about guns. Make it a conversation, not a lecture, and reinforce the conversation regularly
• Seek professional training. PDT's Home and Community Defense course covers safe storage, staging, and home defense strategies in detail.

5. Financial Costs

Risks:

Firearm ownership involves more than just the initial purchase. The costs of ammunition, maintenance, training, and safe storage add up over time. Many first-time buyers overlook these ongoing expenses, which can lead to financial strain and inadequate firearm upkeep. Neglecting proper maintenance can result in malfunctions, reduced effectiveness, or even hazardous conditions.

Mitigations:

• Budget for the full financial commitment. Beyond the cost of the firearm itself, plan for ammunition, maintenance, professional training, and secure storage solutions. Understanding these expenses in advance helps prevent financial strain that could lead to improper handling or inadequate upkeep.
• Commit to regular maintenance and inspections. A well-maintained firearm ensures reliability and safety, reducing the risk of malfunctions when it matters most.

Closing Thoughts

Gun ownership is a personal decision requiring careful thought, preparation, and responsibility. By assessing risks, seeking proper training, and prioritizing safety, you can make informed choices that align with your needs and values.

For those who decide owning firearms isn't for them, that doesn't mean there aren't ways to mitigate personal risk. In addition to firearms, consider less-than-lethal options including hand to hand fighting skills, and tools like pepper spray, and don't forget that focusing on physical and mental fitness improves all aspects of your life, regardless of your self-defense readiness. Learn more about the PDT Pepper Spray Fundamentals class on our website.

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*This post is not intended to provide legal or mental health advice. Readers should consult with licensed attorneys or medical professionals to make informed decisions regarding firearm ownership based on their personal circumstances.