‘Tis the season of gifts and giving. Some of you may be considering the gift of a firearm for a loved one. Wait, is that even legal? The first question on the ATF form 4473 asks “Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm(s) listed on this form and any continuation sheet(s) (ATF Form 5300.9A)? Warning: You are not the actual transferee/buyer if you are acquiring the firearm(s) on behalf of another person. If you are not the actual transferee/buyer, the licensee cannot transfer the … [Read more...] about Considering Guns as Gifts
Rob Wilson
How to Avoid Trouble
As we live our lives every day, we are constantly making choices that reflect our acceptable levels of risk. We choose to follow the laws of the land because we don’t want to risk the consequences of jail. We make dietary choices that (hopefully) will work to reduce risk to our health. We choose where we will and, perhaps more importantly, where we won’t go in order to reduce the risk of harm to ourselves by those who don’t fear jail. There are many choices you can make each day that will … [Read more...] about How to Avoid Trouble
Citizenship Comes with Responsibilities
As citizens of the United States, we are fortunate to benefit from a number of rights that are guaranteed in both the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. With these rights come much sacrifice, as evidenced by those brave men and women who have lost their lives to protect them. Those of us who are not in harm’s way still have a civic duty as envisioned by our founders. That duty is to vote. The way we vote and what we vote for or against has changed a lot since 1776. We now have a multitude … [Read more...] about Citizenship Comes with Responsibilities
Why Firearms Training and Receiving a Concealed Weapons Permit are Valuable
Arizona is a “Constitutional Carry” state. That means we recognize the rights granted to us in the Second Amendment and allow those citizens who can legally own a firearm to carry it in public. By carrying it in public, it means that you can choose to openly and visibly carry a gun or conceal it. No permit is required for either. It’s estimated that as many as 1 in 10 legal firearm owners in Arizona carry concealed. The question is, if the state doesn’t require a permit to carry, why would you … [Read more...] about Why Firearms Training and Receiving a Concealed Weapons Permit are Valuable
Considering Firearms Accessories
While purchasing a firearm is both a big decision and a significant investment, there are plenty of accessories that you should consider because they will contribute to the safe and responsible use of it. Let’s start with a way to store it. You are responsible for the safe storage of your firearm. For many first-time firearms owners, a firearms safe is likely not necessary, but a secure steel handgun vault is. Handgun vaults come in a variety of sizes and shapes that are designed to provide … [Read more...] about Considering Firearms Accessories
What to Know When Buying or Selling a Firearm
There can be a lot of questions when it comes to purchasing or selling a firearm in Arizona, so we’ll try to address a few of them here. Let’s start with the most common event, purchasing a firearm from a licensed FFL (Federal Firearms License). First, you’ll need to be 18 years old to purchase a long gun or shotgun and 21 to purchase a handgun. As part of your purchase decision process, I hope you’ve had a chance to try the firearm before purchasing it. This is especially important for … [Read more...] about What to Know When Buying or Selling a Firearm
Lessons Learned at Timberline Firearms
It has been six years since we opened Timberline Firearms & Training. Our goal was to provide the community with a safe place for people to train on, purchase and practice with firearms. The motto we live and work by is “Safe and Responsible Firearms Ownership.” We’ve learned a few things along the way and wanted to share them here. A lot of people are introduced to firearms by family and friends. Here in Flagstaff, that usually means heading out to the local “spot in the woods” where … [Read more...] about Lessons Learned at Timberline Firearms
Hardening Your Home
We tend to think of our home as our castle or our safe space. We should all be fortunate enough to feel safe in our homes. While it may “feel” safe, there are several steps you can take to improve its safety. Hardening is defined as “to make or become tougher and more clearly defined.” We should all consider a little hardening for our castles. The first step is the most important and it’s free! You need to develop a plan of action for the possible situations you might face. Have you thought … [Read more...] about Hardening Your Home
Considering Guns as Gifts
‘Tis the season of gifts and giving. Some of you may be considering the gift of a firearm for a loved one. Wait, is that even legal? The first question on the ATF form 4473 asks “Are you the actual transferee/buyer of the firearm(s) listed on this form and any continuation sheet(s) (ATF Form 5300.9A)? Warning: You are not the actual transferee/buyer if you are acquiring the firearm(s) on behalf of another person. If you are not the actual transferee/buyer, the licensee cannot transfer the … [Read more...] about Considering Guns as Gifts
Managing Risk in Your Life
Every action we take in our lives includes an element of risk. Both consciously and subconsciously, we constantly evaluate those risks and then modify our behavior. The result is a risk level that we as individuals are comfortable with. Daily activities as simple as crossing a street are relatively low risk if, and only if, we apply the commonsense criteria of looking both ways beforehand. Too frequently, we see folks so absorbed in their electronic devices that they are completely unaware … [Read more...] about Managing Risk in Your Life
