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Showing posts with the label Tips

Illinois Emergency Rules - FOID and CCL Renewals

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  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in April of 2020, the Illinois State Police (ISP) adopted emergency rules to help firearm owners with expired Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) cards. The ISP then updated the emergency rules for Concealed Carry Licenses (CCL) and FOID cardholders on September 3, 2020, providing for the 18-month extension of FOID card and CCL renewals. This update replaced the previous 12-month extension. These adopted rules are aimed to help the FOID renewal backlog and firearm owners during the continued COVID-19 pandemic.   The following rule changes regarding  FOID and CCL card renewals continue to remain in effect under emergency rules. per the ISP Firearm Services Bureau : FOID cardholders, who submit their renewal application will remain valid during the duration of the state’s disaster proclamation and for a period of 18 months following the termination of the disaster, even if their renewal application is/was not submitted prior to exp...

New Year’s Resolutions for Gun Owners

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We're a little over a month into the new year and new decade. Are you on track with your New Year’s resolutions?  If you’ve already fallen off track or haven’t made any yet, there’s still plenty of time left in 2020. Might we suggest some related to your favorite firearm or gun ownership? Different gun owners need different resolutions, so we’ve compiled resolutions that any gun owner is able to keep into 2020 and beyond.  Carry consistently. The saying goes, “It’s better to have it and not need than to need it and not have it” and holds true for gun owners - especially if you are truly committed to the concealed carry lifestyle. Unfortunately, we live in a day and age where an attack or act of violence can happen at any time, so it’s always best to be prepared and protected. Preparedness doesn’t necessarily mean a full-size gun; it can be as simple as carrying a .380 in your pocket. Be situationally aware. Being observant of your surroundings is essential to...

Firearm Terms to be Familiar with

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Being in possession of a gun is an enormous responsibility. This constitutional right can be used in a variety of ways; for hunters, it is a way to practice their sport and bring food home for their families in order to provide for them. For countless people across the country, having a firearm within arm’s reach is a way to keep them and their loved ones feeling secure in their own homes. Others may just be curious to see what having such power in their hands feels like, and take their interest to a local firing range to see whether or not they’ve discovered a new passion or hobby. Yes, there are so many ways that guns are present in our lives today. But no matter how a gun is used, it must always be handled in the safest manner possible. That’s why it’s essential, for the betterment and protection of ourselves and our fellow citizens, for gun users to know how this extraordinary piece of equipment works. Whether you consider yourself a gun expert or if you have never shot ...
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Responsible firearms owners know that firearm safety is a priority in order to protect our children, prevent injuries, and keep our communities safe. Nearly all firearm accidents that occur in the home can be prevented by taking simple safety precautions.  The number one way to prevent accidents and your firearm from getting into the wrong hands is proper and secure storage when not in use. All firearms should be kept in a locked storage case, cabinet or safe when not in use; this ensures that they are inaccessible to children and cannot be used without your permission. Storage cases are used for locking up and storing a firearm and are available in various sizes to accommodate firearms from handguns to hunting rifles and shotguns. For most storage solutions, there is the option of a digital keypad or combination lock to prevent unauthorized access.  Even though the firearm is stored securely, a gun lock should be used as an additional safety measure and makes the firear...

Preparing to Buy Your First Handgun

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Buying your first handgun can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. You don’t want to be stuck in a place where you don’t know what you’re looking for or why you even want one in the first place. Before you go out and purchase your first handgun, take these preparations into consideration. Know Your Needs The first thing you need to figure out before purchasing a gun is knowing what you’re going to use it for. Know what you’ll be getting the gun for, whether it’s just to practice shooting at the range, having it for peace of mind in your home, or to have it on you at all times and use it as a conceal and carry weapon. Knowing what you’ll be using it for will help you find just the right type of gun you’ll need for it. Research Now that you know what you’ll be using the gun for, you have a better handle on what type of gun you’ll need to look for. Certain types of guns work better for different circumstances, so make sure you’re getting the best one for you. Fo...

How to Clean Your Handgun and Why it's Important

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Let’s play a quick round of one of America’s favorite game shows; “Family Feud.” If we were to ask you to name some objects found around your home that often need a good cleaning, chances are “survey says” some of the top responses would include items you frequently use in your bedroom, bathroom and living room. But if you were to ask us this question, one of the first things we would say would be your handgun. While this may not be an answer that would appear in the top 5 responses of those surveyed, it absolutely should be. Taking the best possible care of your handgun ensures that you and your loved ones are properly protected from harm. Giving it a frequent cleaning the right way is absolutely essential to maintain its quality and functionality.  When firing your gun, grimy substances, mainly from powder residue, are left on the exterior and on the barrel If your gun isn’t properly cleaned, this buildup increases over time, making future use of the gun dangerous and unp...