Using Handguns for Protection

In general, the use of handguns will fall into one of five categories—sport, recreation, hunting, metallic silhouette shooting, and protection.

This use of handguns is the one most regulated by state laws. If you should face a possible life-threatening situation, you must consider carefully the decision to use a handgun for personal defense. You could be:

• Disarmed and fired upon with your own gun.
• Charged with criminal misuse of a firearm if circumstances do not warrant that level of response.
• Sued in civil court even if you are found not guilty in a criminal court.