Aside from being the only firearm that is legal to carry on your person in Minnesota, handguns are also particularly suitable for close encounters of the hostile kind. FBI statistics indicate that most ‘use of deadly force’ scenarios occur inside of nine feet, with one to three shots being fired. This is well within the optimal operating parameters of most handguns. In order to select the proper handgun if you have a permit to carry, there are many factors that must be considered. These include size of the handgun, your body shape and size, hand strength, what type of wardrobe are you likely to wear while carrying, the method of carry (external holster, inside the waistband etc), the location of carry (appendix, 3 o’clock, small of back etc), and the daily activity during which you will carry (shopping, hiking, driving etc). All of these could impact the type of handgun and carry accessories that work best for you. But above and beyond all of these decisions, diligent training is a prerequisite. Simply owning and carrying a handgun does not make you safe. Responsible carry involves an intimate knowledge of the operation of your handgun and a high level of proficiency in its use.

Handguns are a great choice for home defense as well. According to the US Department of Justice, “An estimated 3.7 million household burglaries occurred each year on average from 2003 to 2007. In about 28% of these burglaries, a household member was present during the burglary. In 7% of all household burglaries, a household member experienced some form of violent victimization.“ Doing the math translates into 1,036,000 of these home invasions occurring while someone was in their home, and 259,000 of them resulting in violence. Having the means to defend and protect yourself and your family is an obligation in today’s world. While many of the same physical attributes used to select a handgun for carry must be considered here as well, additional thought must be given to how the firearm will be stored in your home while remaining accessible should that become necessary. Again, training is a must. Every scenario introduces different variables – indoors, outdoors, the presence of other people, day, night, cover vs concealment, penetration characteristics of ammunition used, etc. Only proper training can prepare you for events that you hope will never happen.

Metro Pawn & Gun is an excellent place to buy and sell handguns in our area. With a fantastic inventory of new and used handguns, you will have many choices and great prices as well. Come see us if you want to buy a handgun, and if you need to sell one, bring it to us and we will make a fair cash offer!

As always, check our site for the most current information regarding operational changes or COVID-related mandates.