Gun shops are awesome. I should know, I practically live in one. But there are some unwritten rules of how you should behave when your in candy land. Whether you’re new to firearms or you’ve been an enthusiast for quite some time, these tips will help ensure a safe and respectful transaction.

I enjoyed the article on Gun Shop Etiquette from Concealed Nation and that’s where the bulk of this information comes from. If you’re interested in checking out their article, you can find it here.

1. 

   NRA Gun Safety Rules at the Redwood County Fair

   Follow the Safety Rules

   Anytime we talk, touch or think about firearms, we think about safety and we want you to do the same thing. There is a reason why some people refer to firearms as weapons, it’s because they can be dangerous depending on who’s behind the gun. Make sure you follow the safety rules. If you need a refresher, you can go here and check out our article on the Rules of Firearm Safety. 

   But seriously, this is the most important rule of gun shop etiquette. 

   1. Treat every firearm as it’s always loaded. 
      This means don’t do anything you would do if the gun was loaded.
   2. Never point the muzzle at anything you’re not willing to destroy.
      This means don’t point the muzzle at me. Seriously, don’t do it. Don’t point the muzzle at anyone else either. I don’t care how good of friends you are, no one likes that. Really. 
   3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re on target and ready to shoot.
      I don’t care if I know that the firearm is unloaded and you’ve also just checked to ensure it’s unloaded. Keep your booger hook off the bang switch. It makes us nervous!
   4. Know your intended target and what’s beyond. 
      Even when you’ve asked to dry fire the gun and you plan to do so, please make sure you’re pointing it in a safe direction.

2. Check every firearm you touch to ensure it’s empty.

   We know it’s empty. You know it’s empty. But now that you’ve checked, we have more respect for you and you look like you know what you’re doing. Even if you have to ask how to operate the action, it’s still the first step every time you touch a firearm.

3. Don’t dry fire a gun without asking.

   Most firearms are safe to dry fire but some are not. It’s a common courtesy to ask if you can dry fire the gun and 9 times out of 10 you’ll get an answer like “absolutely” but it’s appreciated if you ask!

4. If you’re selling or trading in a gun, bring it in it’s case.

   Instead of making us super nervous and walking up to the counter with a firearm in your hands that you just walked in with, put it in the case (or better yet it’s original box) and let the employee take it out and safety check it.

   

5. Haggling is generally ok but don’t go overboard.

   If you find a firearm on Gun Broker for $500 and your dealer is selling it for $589, it can’t hurt to ask them for a few bucks off. Asking them to price match however, might not be your best option. Remember that online purchasing may have other fees like shipping or transfer fees and the online companies don’t have as much overhead as your dealer. We need to keep the lights on, so please haggle with respect. 

   If you’re buying locally, remember that we’re on the same team. Learn more about the benefits of shopping small and shopping local here.

6. Don’t talk about anything illegal.

   Really. Just don’t. I don’t feel like I need to explain this any further.

7. Never be afraid to ask to see something.

   Generally the handguns and less common firearms will be behind glass or out of reach. Don’t be afraid to ask to see something, that’s what we’re here for.

8. Never be afraid to ask questions.

   We like guns. That’s why we work here. If you’re interested in firearms, we could probably be friends so don’t be afraid to ask questions about functionality, price, preferences, or anything else! Just know that we may not always have the answer to everything. After all, the person that claims to be an expert is generally not.