Gregory Kielma • July 5, 2024
18 Things You Should Never Do as a Legal Gun Owner
18 Things You Should Never Do as a Legal Gun Owner
Gregg Kielma
www.tacticalktrainingandfirearms.com
Says FFL, Firearms Instructor and Gunsmith Gregg Kielma. “Please take these suggestions seriously.
Get training with my group and company. Owning a firearm is a big responsibility. Know when to use it, how to use it and your rights afforded to you by the United States Constitution. Laws vary from state to state. Know your states laws and follow them. Not knowing is not an excuse. It's your duty as a responsible firearms person”.
Continues Kielma, take a class its inexpensive and can answers most of your questions. The onus is on you to know the laws. Please take the time to understand the outline below.
Owning a gun is a big deal, and it comes with some serious responsibilities that everyone should know about. Why? Because there's nothing more important than safety and legality with firearms. There are 18 things you should absolutely avoid as a gun owner and why.
Always Do Your Background Checks…Always-Always-Always!
If you're thinking about skipping that background check when buying a new gun, then think again. Going through the proper channels will make sure you're not handing a weapon to someone who shouldn't have one. Keep it above board, and you'll stay out of trouble and keep everyone safer. Research shows just how important background checks are.
Don't Skip the Safety Course CCW Training Course Call Tactical K Training and Firearms Schedule TODAY
You might think you know all there is about handling a gun, but there's always something new to learn. Regularly attend safety courses so you can brush up on the dos and don'ts. You'll also get the scoop on any new gun laws that might have come around without you realizing, and you could even make some new friends.
Keep That Gun Holstered
There's no need to flash your firearm around in public because it scares other people and can cause some deadly misunderstandings. Always keep your weapon concealed or holstered unless it's necessary to show it. After all, respect and safety are essential for every gun owner.
No Illegal Modifications…EVER
Messing with your gun to make it shoot faster or hit harder is tempting, but you should check the rule book first. Modifying your firearm illegally just isn't worth it, and if you want to upgrade, make sure it's within the law. Remember, any unauthorized changes could void warranties and make your weapon less reliable. Use a reputable Gunsmith like Tactical K Training and Fires and know the laws.
Always Keep Firearms Away From Children
Kids and guns are a dangerous mix, so you should always lock up your firearm where little hands can't reach it. It doesn't matter if it's a gun safe or a locked drawer, just as long as it's secure. Unsecured guns can lead to tragedies that you can easily prevent, and every gun owner should know this.
Sober Shooting Guns, Alcohol and Drugs Are a Very Bad Combination
Handling your gun after a few drinks or while on drugs is a big no-no. Being under the influence messes with your judgment and your motor skills, and these are two things you need to handle a firearm safely. Save the celebration for after the guns are securely put away because the consequences can be irreversible.
Leave Repairs to the Pros Like Tactical K Training and Firearms.
If you have a problem with your gun, don't try to be a hero by fixing it yourself. Guns are complex machines, and one wrong move could spell disaster. When in doubt, take it to a professional who can make the necessary repairs safely. They'll make sure that your firearm is functioning correctly and safely.
Guns Stay With You. Period Never Let Anyone Borrow Your Firearm
Letting your friend borrow your firearm might seem like no big deal, but it can get you both into legal trouble, especially if they're not licensed to carry it. It's better to always keep your firearms under your control. This way, you'll always know where your gun is and who's using it.
Protect Your Ears and Eyes
Shooting without ear and eye protection can cause serious damage. Long-term exposure to shooting noise, for example, can lead to significant hearing loss. It might not be the coolest look, but wearing earplugs and safety glasses at the range is a must because they'll keep you safe while you sharpen your skills.
Unload Before You Lock Up Never disregard the 4 Basic Safety Rules
Storing your gun loaded is like leaving the keys in your car with the engine running in the sense that you're just asking for trouble. Always, always unload your gun before you lock it up for the night. It's a simple step that prevents accidental firings, and it should become second nature to any gun owner.
Stay Cool, Stay Safe. Always Deescalate Every Situation. Remember You must Be “The Reasonable Person”.
It's easy to get heated, especially if someone's pushing your buttons, but when you're carrying a gun, you've got to keep a cool head. Escalating a tense situation can lead to real harm when firearms are involved, so step back and think before you act. You should never use your firearm as a tool of aggression or a way to intimidate other people.
Know Your Local Laws Take the Tactical K Training and Firearms Classes. Know Your Rights.
Gun laws aren't the same everywhere, so what's okay in one place might get you in some serious trouble in another. It pays to keep up with your local laws, and it'll cost you if you don't. Keeping up to date with any changes in firearm legislation will keep you on the right side of the law.
Shoot Only in Safe Places
As a gun owner, you might get an itch to fire off a few rounds. That's okay; just make sure you're in the right spot because shooting in non-designated areas is both unsafe and usually illegal. Stick to the range or other approved areas where you can shoot safely and legally. This way, you won't put yourself or others in danger.
Guns Aren't Tools
When you need to hammer in a nail, use a hammer, not your gun. Using your firearm as a tool is seriously dangerous, and it can also damage a perfectly good weapon. After all, guns are for shooting, not for DIY home repairs, so you should always use the right tool for the job. Your gun isn't one of them.
Keep the Showboating at the Range
If you're trying to impress your friends with your quick draw or sharpshooting, then save it for the shooting range. Showing off in public can make people nervous and attract unwanted attention from the law. The range should be a place for you to perfect your skills instead of somewhere you're showing off.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
We all feel off our game sometimes, and when this happens, it's probably not the best time to handle a firearm. Guns require a clear mind. If you're feeling stressed or angry, step back until you're feeling more like yourself because handling firearms when you're distracted or overly emotional can drastically increase the risk of accidents.
Match Ammo to Gun The Proper Firearm
Using the wrong ammo can ruin your gun and is downright dangerous. It's easy enough to make sure your ammunition matches your gun's specifications before you load up, so make sure you do it. After all, research shows that around 3,498 Americans died between 2015 and 2021 because of unintentional shootings, and you really don't want to add to this.
Don't Over-Depend on Your Gun Know Your Skill Set Practice and Train With Tactical K Training and Firearms
A gun can make you feel a little safer, but it shouldn't be your only line of defense. Invest in a good home security system, keep your doors locked, and stay aware of your surroundings. A well-rounded approach to security is always smarter than relying solely on a firearm since this could fail you when you need it most.
Stay safe my friends.
www.tacticalktrainingandfirearms.com
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Being Prepared for the 2026 Hurricane Season By Gregory Kielma, Tactical K Training & Firearms The 2026 Hurricane Season is shaping up to be another year where preparation isn’t optional it’s essential. Florida has seen record heat, rising insurance pressures, rapid population growth, and increasingly unpredictable storm behavior. None of that is meant to create fear. It’s meant to reinforce a simple truth: preparedness gives you control, confidence, and options when the weather turns. Whether you’re protecting a home, a business, or a family, the goal is the same build layers of readiness before the first storm forms. Start With Awareness and a Plan Storms don’t give you time to “figure it out later.” Your plan should be written, practiced, and known by everyone in the household or workplace. Key elements of a solid plan: Where will you go if evacuation becomes necessary Multiple routes out of your area A communication plan if cell networks fail A designated out‑of‑state contact A plan for pets, elderly family members, and anyone with medical needs For businesses, include: Who secures the building Who handles digital backups Who communicates closures and reopening A plan removes panic. It replaces it with action. Strengthen Your Home or Business Before the First Storm Florida structures take a beating every year. Small improvements now prevent major losses later. Exterior protection: Inspect your roof for loose shingles or soft spots Clear gutters and drainage paths Trim trees and remove dead limbs Install or test shutters Reinforce garage doors—one of the most common failure points Interior protection: Surge protection for critical electronics Elevate valuables and important documents Know how to shut off water, power, and gas If you own a business, walk your property as if you were a storm: What can break? What can blow away? What can flood? Fix those points now. Build a Realistic, Usable Supply Kit For Your Home or Business A hurricane kit isn’t about stockpiling, it’s about independence. After a major storm, help may take hours or days to reach your area. For homes and families: Water: 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3–7 days) Non‑perishable food Medications and medical supplies Flashlights, headlamps, and batteries Battery bank for phones First aid kit Copies of important documents Cash in small bills Tools, gloves, tarps, duct tape For businesses: Backup power for essential systems Printed employee contact lists Hard copies of insurance documents A plan for securing inventory and equipment Preparedness isn’t about fear it’s about not being dependent on luck. Protect Your Digital Life In 2026, digital readiness is just as important as physical readiness. Back up important files to the cloud and an external drive Photograph your home, business, and valuables for insurance Store digital copies of IDs, insurance policies, and receipts Keep chargers, power banks, and a small solar panel if possible When the power goes out, your digital preparation keeps you moving. Understand Post‑Storm Safety Most injuries happen after the storm, not during it. Be cautious with: Downed power lines Flooded roads Carbon monoxide from generators Unstable structures Contaminated water If you evacuated, don’t rush home. Wait for official clearance. Your safety comes first. Mindset: Prepared, Not Paranoid Preparedness is a discipline, not a reaction. It’s the same mindset we teach in every Tactical K class awareness, planning, and responsible action. A hurricane is a natural event. Your response is a choice. When you prepare early, you protect: Your family Your property Your business Your peace of mind And you set an example for your community. Kielma’s Parting Shot The 2026 Hurricane Season will bring challenges, just like every season. But Floridians are resilient, and preparation is part of our way of life. Start now. Strengthen your home, your business, and your plan. Build your layers of safety before the first storm forms. If you need help building a plan, creating a checklist, or preparing your family or business, Tactical K Training is here to support you with practical, real‑world guidance.
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Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking Nine Firearms, Including to Buyer Who Said He Was ‘At War’ Thursday, April 30, 2026 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia WASHINGTON - Brandon Smith, 34, a previously convicted felon residing in the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 87 months in prison for conspiring to traffic at least nine firearms to a prohibited buyer over the course of six months, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “Brandon Smith was already on supervised probation for a violent felony when he chose to traffic firearms, and he continued even after being told the buyer intended to use them for violence,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “Over the course of six months, he arranged the sale of at least nine guns—including one with an obliterated serial number—to a prohibited individual. This was not a momentary lapse in judgment, but a sustained and deliberate effort to arm someone who could not legally possess firearms. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who endanger our communities by trafficking illegal guns.” On Jan. 9, 2026, Smith pleaded guilty before Judge Howell to conspiracy to commit trafficking in firearms. In addition to the 87-month prison term, Judge Howell ordered Smith to serve three years of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had requested a 108-month prison term. According to court papers, beginning in November 2023, ATF opened an investigation after a confidential source reported that Smith, then on supervised probation for a violent felony, was actively advertising firearms for sale by texting photographs of guns to prospective buyers, including individuals with prior felony convictions. During the next six months, Smith sold or arranged the sale of nine firearms to a buyer on six separate occasions. During the transactions, Smith sold his own personal carry firearm on multiple occasions when a supplier failed to deliver, then purchased a replacement for himself afterward. In early January 2024, as Smith and the buyer discussed an upcoming transaction, the buyer told Smith he needed the firearms because he was “at war” after his cousin had been killed. Smith proceeded with the sale. The buyer had also told Smith he was serving a criminal justice sentence at the time of the transactions. Smith acknowledged that he, too, was “on papers.” Smith arranged a total of six transactions from Nov. 30, 2023, through May 30, 2024, resulting in the sale of nine firearms. At least one of the firearms had its serial number obliterated. On Oct. 26, 2024, MPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the 1600 block of 16th Street SE and found Smith in the front passenger seat of a parked vehicle. Officers observed open containers of alcohol and discovered a satchel at his feet. Inside the satchel, in plain view, was a loaded Glock Model 19X 9mm handgun with a round in the chamber and 16 additional rounds in the magazine. The bag also contained a bank card and government-issued identification in Smith’s name. Smith has prior convictions for Simple Assault (2011), Attempted Robbery (2013), and Robbery and Possession of a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (2016), for which he was sentenced to five years in prison. He was serving a term of supervised probation from the 2016 conviction at the time of the firearms trafficking conspiracy. This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Washington Field Office, and the Metropolitan Police Department. The matter was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan M. Horan. Convicted Felon Sentenced to 87 Months in Trafficking
