December 17, 2025
Gun Store Etiquette: Things Not to Say and or Choose Your Words Wisely…Let’s Take a LOOK
Gun Store Etiquette: Things Not to Say and or Choose Your Words Wisely…Let’s Take a LOOK
Says Gregg Kielma, FFL, Gunsmith, Firearms and First Aid Fundamentals Instructor, please understand this is something I'm very careful who purchases a firearm from me. If your saying things that would lead a reasonable person to understand you unstable, you will never purchase a firearm from me, ever.
Have a firearm transferred to me? and I believe you're not stable and you pass the background check; the ATF will be visiting you. I promise I'll make the phone call to the ATF and alert them of my "gut" feeling. Please understand that I will never release a firearm to anyone that I believe has ill intentions and like I said the ATF will be paying you a visit.
Let's Take a LOOK:
Stepping into a gun store for the first time can be intimidating, especially if you’re not sure what to say or do. Whether you’re a seasoned gun owner or a newbie, there are certain things you should avoid saying to ensure your visit is smooth, respectful, and, above all, legal.
Here are 20 things you should never say in a gun store.
1. Making Politically Charged Statements
A gun store is not the place for heated political debates or rants. Whether passionate about your views or just looking to stir the pot, save it for a more appropriate venue. Dropping political bombs can make employees and fellow customers uncomfortable and distract from the focus of the store, which is safety, respect, and firearms.
2. Comparing Firearm Terms to Video Game
Relating real firearms to those in video games might come off as not taking the responsibilities of handling a firearm seriously. Real guns come with critical safety and ethical considerations that should be respected, showing the staff, you understand the gravity of owning and using firearms.
3. Asking to Disassemble Firearms
Resist the urge to disassemble a gun unless you’ve got permission from the staff. Doing so without permission can make you seem suspicious or disrespectful of the store’s property. If further clarification regarding a firearm is required, please seek guidance from a qualified individual.
4. Making Threats or Jokes About Using Weapons
Any talk of using weapons on people or property, even in jest, is a serious no-go. Such comments aren’t just in poor taste; they could land you in legal trouble. Gun stores promote safety and responsible ownership, so keep conversations respectful and focused on legal use.
5. Questioning the Legality of Store Practices
Implying that the store’s illegal or unethical practices without evidence can cause unnecessary tension. Gun stores operate under strict regulations. Ask directly and respectfully to maintain a positive environment if you have genuine concerns.
6. Using Technical Jargon Incorrectly
Throwing around firearm terms incorrectly can lead to misunderstandings. Clear communication is key. If you’re unsure about something, ask. It’s better to gain accurate information than to confuse the situation.
7. Making Unfounded Complaints About Gun Quality
Critiquing firearms based on hearsay or brand stereotypes doesn’t help anyone. Share your experiences if they’re based on fact, not rumor. Constructive feedback is appreciated, but unfounded complaints can undermine the store’s atmosphere.
8. Asking About Illegal Modifications
Asking store staff about illegal firearm modifications can make them uneasy and may lead to significant legal trouble. Keep the conversation within the bounds of the law and respect the responsibilities of firearm ownership.
9. Asking About Loading a Weapon with Live Ammo
Never ask if you can load a firearm with live ammunition inside a gun store. This request is a serious concern for safety. Learn how firearms work through safe demonstrations or safety courses instead.
10. Requesting Armor Piercing Ammo
Casually inquiring about military-grade armor-piercing rounds can raise eyebrows. These types of ammo are subject to strict regulations. Ask about the purpose and legality of the ammo you’re interested in to ensure you’re making a legal purchase.
11. Expressing Surprise About Background Checks
Acting shocked about background checks or suggesting someone else complete the paperwork or payment for you raises red flags. It’s standard procedure for ensuring responsible firearm sales. Trying to sidestep this process questions your eligibility and puts staff in a tough spot.
12. Discussing Illegal Drug Use
Mentioning illegal drug use while filling out firearm purchase paperwork is a definite no-go. This directly affects your eligibility to buy a gun. Keep the conversation clean and focused on the task at hand.
13. Inquiring About Suppressors for Illegal
Asking about getting a suppressor for illegal activities, like poaching, is a major misstep. Respect the legal uses of suppressors and approach conversations with ethical use in mind.
14. Mentioning Intent to Commit Crimes
Discussing any intent to use a firearm for crimes or settling disputes is out of bounds. Gun ownership comes with serious responsibilities. Keep conversations focused on legal, safe, and responsible use.
15. Attempting a Straw Purchase
Suggest you’re buying a firearm for someone who isn’t legally allowed to own one is illegal. If you’re not the end user of the gun, avoid any suggestions that could be interpreted as a straw purchase.
16. Joking About Serious Situations or Legal Obligations
Treat conversations about firearm ownership with respect. Joking about safety protocols or legal requirements sends the wrong message. A gun store is a place for learning and serious discussion.
17. Bragging About Skirting Laws
Talking about dodging gun laws isn’t clever; it’s risky and disrespectful. Respect the process and understand the weight of gun ownership to ensure everyone’s safety.
18. Negotiating Price as if It’s a Yard Sale
Treating a gun store like a garage sale and trying to haggle over prices undermines the store’s pricing structure. Respect the prices that reflect the quality, safety standards, and legality.
19. Wearing Inappropriate Attire or Disguises
Showing up in a gun store with attire that screams, “I’m up to no good,” can create unnecessary tension. Stores prioritize safety and security. Keep your look straightforward and respectful to maintain a positive environment.
20. Insisting on Handling Firearms After Being Denied
If the staff decides it’s not a good time for you to handle a firearm, respect their decision. Pushing the issue shows a lack of respect for the store’s policies and safety protocols.
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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
