Guns are prevalent in American life, whether as a hot political topic, a hunting tool or as part of a recreational activity like target shooting. If you’re a gun enthusiast—or are considering becoming one—it’s important that you know about the weapon you’re wielding. With appropriate safety measures, respect and basic knowledge, you’ll have a greater appreciation for guns and what they do. You’ll also be less likely to injure yourself or others.

Different types of guns in Olathe, KS

There are two basic types of guns in legal circulation today: long guns, like rifles or shotguns, and handguns, such as revolvers and pistols. Long guns are typically placed against the shoulder to fire, while handguns (as the name suggests) can be held and fired without that increased stability. The two types also use very different caliber bullets. Here are some of the most common guns you might see when shopping for a new piece:

• Pistols: Generally, although single-shot pistols do still exist today, most are semi-automatic. The gun is loaded through a magazine located in the grip, and can carry up to 17 bullets in one magazine. Earlier pistols were usually limited at about seven bullets per magazine.
• Revolvers: Revolvers are so named for their rotating cylinders, which hold up to seven bullets. When you pull the trigger, the cylinder revolves to the next round. This qualifies them as semi-automatic. Revolvers are often associated with westerns (and the cartoons inspired by them), so if you’ve ever seen John Wayne waving around a gun in a western, then you’re familiar with revolvers.
• Bolt-action rifles: Bolt-action rifles require you to manually load and push forward a bolt, then pull the trigger. To reload, you have to push the bolt back, release the shell and reload, making them very slow rifles.
• Semi-automatic rifles: These rifles can hold up to 30 rounds at a time, and have automated the shell release action so that there’s no need to reload right away. AR-15s are good examples of semi-automatic rifles, which you often see referred to in the news.
• Shotguns: These rifles fire small pellets (also called “shot”) instead of bullets. Shotguns spray their ammunition, which is better for aiming at and killing small game like birds.

Gun safety tips

Gun safety involves knowing how your gun operates, but it also requires a lot of common sense. For example, never point your gun at anything you don’t intend to shoot, and always treat it as if it were loaded—even if you’re 100 percent sure it’s not. Be sure to keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot, and if you’re hunting, keep a very close eye out for your hunting companions.

The best thing you can do to learn more about different types of guns and gun safety tips in Olathe, KS is to enroll yourself in a gun safety training course. When you’re ready to own your very own gun, stop by Harrison Street Pawn to check out our selection.