I just finished my first version of my gun collection, for now. I am by no means an expert, but it wasn't so long ago that I didn't own any guns. So I am going to give some advice to people who don't own a gun, or who haven't bought their own gun yet, or who want to start getting serious about guns.

First, what gun to get? If you are interested in joining the militia or protecting your home, get an AR-15, iron sights is fine. Get something cheap that works. Get a single point harness. You're going to spend ~$600 for something basic. You're going to need plenty of ammo too. The gun store will explain everything for you. Just show up ready to spend ~$800 dollars and you should get everything you need.

If you want to carry, you need a pistol AKA handgun. These cost about the same as an AR-15. You need to find a way to carry it, and this is going to be different for everyone. So go to the gun store, tell them you want a gun you can carry with you all the time, they'll get you figured out. You WILL spend a lot of time futzing with exactly HOW you carry the pistol until you find something that works.

You don't really need a shotgun or rifle unless you plan on hunting. I know we rely on shotguns to blast away intruders, but you're probably better off with a handgun or an AR-15.

Second, practice, practice, practice. Practice carrying your gun. Practice shooting your gun. Practice cleaning your gun. The more you practice, the better you'll get. Learn the basic rules of gun safety and practice them endlessly. Go to a gun range and ask lots of questions before you go in. Pay ~$50 to get trained in how to use your gun. (It's absolutely worth it.) Find a place to shoot your rifle outdoors. Get plenty of ammo and use that ammo to practice, practice, practice! Always be ready to learn more and more about your guns.

Third, learn the laws. Each state has different laws, and there are plenty of people who are willing to help you navigate those laws. They are all over the internet, so find them, read your laws, and learn how they work. It's up to YOU to learn and understand the laws. You need to know what is going to happen if you get pulled over and have a gun in the car, whether you even need to tell the officer you have a gun or whatnot.

I've found that while everyone is super helpful when it comes to guns, hardly anyone agrees on anything, and that's fine. You find what works for you, and stick with that. It's OK to be wrong -- you can always return the gun and buy a new one, and you can always try out different types of ammo.