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Go to any gun forum or blog, and sooner or later, you will run across gun shop stories. Most will start with something like, “I was at the gun shop the other day and this guy came in…” What will follow will be a story about someone doing or saying something ignorant, rude, or unsafe. Some things will be funny, some will be aggravating, and some will be dangerous. There may even be videos. Sometimes it is someone new to the world of guns and gun shops, in which case it is understandable and excusable unless it was dangerous, and other times it is someone who should know better.

None of us wants to be ‘that person’ and have our story told over and over on the internet or at the range. We certainly do not want to be the person who causes an accident that kills or injures someone. To avoid that dubious honor, it might be wise to review some dos and don’ts that will help us follow the best gun shop etiquette.

What is Gun Shop Etiquette?

According to the dictionary, “etiquette is the set of rules or customs that control accepted behavior in particular social groups or social situations.” These rules or customs are intended to show courtesy and respect to those around you and to keep things running smoothly. Etiquette works the same way in a gun shop. 

Things to Do Before You Even Go in the Door

Do Your Research

It will save everyone time and be a lot more productive if you do some research before going to a gun shop. A couple of decades ago, gathering information about anything could be time-consuming and involve a lot of running around to libraries or other information sources, but that is no longer the case. Using the internet, you can research all about different types of guns, their pros and cons, and which ones are popular for concealed carry or whatever purpose you want. That will give you a head start on the kinds of questions to ask and what guns you ask about. If you are new to guns, even just understanding the types of guns on the market will be beneficial. 

Be Sure You Have Everything You Need

If you are not sure, call the gun shop and ask what you will need to bring to buy the kind of gun you are interested in. That may sound silly since most of the time all you need is a picture ID or driver’s license with your address on it, but that is not always the case. In my state, you can buy a handgun with a picture ID, but if you want to buy what the anti-2A folks call an “assault rifle,” you need two IDs. I have no idea what that accomplishes except to make you jump through an extra hoop since the second one does not even need to be a picture ID, but that’s the law.

It’s also a good idea to make sure you do not have any pending legal issues before you go in. If you are in doubt, ask the person at the gun shop when you call them. There’s no reason to feel stupid about it, they get questions like that all the time. If you have a situation that might be a problem, explain it and ask if that will be a problem before you fill out the paperwork and sit there while it goes through the system, just to get turned down. You can even research what questions are on the ATF Form 4473 by going to the ATF website.

Confirm Their Hours

Along with confirming what their business hours are, also ask about peak hours. Lots of people stop on their way home from work, so the shop might be busier then, which will leave the employee less time to answer your questions and show you guns you are interested in.

Plan Ahead

Buying a gun is not as simple as buying a soft drink at the 7-11, and it takes longer. You will have to fill out the form, wait while an employee enters it into the system, and then wait while it goes through the NICS background check. Background checks can take anywhere from ten minutes to several hours. Be sure to allow enough time for the process to be completed and have scheduled your day to accommodate it.

If You Are Bringing a Gun In

If you are carrying your EDC concealed handgun, keep it concealed. There is no need to pull out a loaded gun. If you are bringing a gun into the store for another reason, to sell or get repaired, for example, it is a good idea to put it in a case, so you are not walking into the store carrying a gun. Gun shops are robbed from time to time, and store employees are usually armed, so it’s wise to avoid misunderstandings.

Things You Should Do 

Be Clear About Your Goals and Budget

Tell the employee what kind of gun you are looking for and what your budget is. That will save you both time and get you the best service and help in finding exactly what you want. If you are not sure what you want, at least tell them your budget and what you plan to use the gun for.

Be Polite and Patient

Be patient, especially if the store is busy. The employee knows you are there, and they will help you as soon as they can. Put yourself in their position. It is a good idea to ask questions, but they may give you answers you are not happy with. They may even make suggestions you don’t like. If that is the case, just stick to what you want. If, for some reason, you are not happy with them or the service you are receiving, for example, if you are a first-time gun buyer and you feel like they are talking down to you, just smile, thank them, and leave. There is no need to tell them off; that will only make a scene and affect other patrons’ experience.

Always Follow the Rules of Gun Safety

Always follow the four rules of gun safety.

1. Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction: It’s normal to look down the sights of any gun you are thinking about buying. You want to see how it feels in your hand and how good the sights are. But don’t point it at other people. People have been shot and killed in gun shops, and people have been asked to leave gun shops for not being safe.

2. Treat all guns as though they are loaded: Even if I see the employee clear the gun before they hand it to me, I treat the gun as if it is loaded. Period. Doing so builds a good safety mindset and habits.

3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot: This goes back to having a safety-conscious mindset. Of course, you can’t tell how the trigger feels without pulling it, but before you do so, you should ask the employee if that is okay. They will usually say yes, but it is courteous to ask first.

4. Always be sure of your target and what’s beyond it: This one may not seem to apply when you are in a gun shop, but always keep it in mind.

Treat Guns Carefully

Guns are tough, but they can be blemished through carelessness. When you are shopping for a car, you don’t carelessly scratch the paint, and you should be just as careful when looking at a gun. For example, if you want to check the magazine release to see how easy it is to manipulate and how well a magazine drops out, don’t let the empty magazine drop on the floor or another gun on the counter.

Things You Should Not Do

Joke or Ask About Things You Know Are Illegal

Have you ever seen an article or heard about someone in a security line at the airport getting dragged out of line because they made a joke about a bomb, and thought how stupid that person must have been? Making jokes about making a straw purchase or using the gun you are buying for a crime is just as stupid. Jokes like that are not funny, and they may get you kicked out of the shop. At the very least, you will lose all credibility with the employees and anyone else who is listening.

Offer Unsolicited Advice to Other Patrons

Personally, I do not mind if a stranger who is obviously a fellow gun nut shares an experience or what they like about a gun I’m looking at, as long as they are low-key and not pushy, but not everyone feels that way. I tend to keep my opinions to myself unless someone asks me what I think. I’ve had strangers on ranges ask me to shoot their gun and give them my opinion, and I am happy to do that. But, unless someone is obviously being given some very bad advice about a gun, I just live and let live.

Be Rude

There is a definite shortage of courtesy and polite behavior in the world today, and there is no reason to add to it. For example, if you think the price of a gun you are interested in is too high, there is no reason to berate the store employee and tell them you can get it cheaper somewhere else. Just thank them and move on. For all you know, they don’t have anything to do with setting the price, they’re just doing their job. Even if you can get a gun cheaper somewhere else, at least you got a chance to check it out, so just enjoy the experience and then go buy it somewhere else.

The Bottom Line

The proper gun shop etiquette is pretty much the same as anywhere else, with an important caveat. You should always be courteous and considerate of the people around you, and in a gun shop, you absolutely must add being safe to the behaviors you should demonstrate. Doing so will gain you the respect and willingness to go the extra mile of the people around you, and most importantly, will ensure that you are never “that person” whose story gets told on the internet.