Gifting a gun for Christmas?

News4Jax crime and safety analyst has tips

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Many Jaxsons will be hitting stores this weekend to buy last-minute Christmas presents and some of those presents could include guns. 

In many parts of the country, firearms are a popular Christmas gifts. But, News4Jax crime and safety analyst Gil Smith has a slightly different idea -- one he said could be better in the long run. 

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“Well, hopefully, you're purchasing the firearm for a responsible adult. I would suggest using a gift certificate," Smith said. “So, if there is some type of shooting or if it's lost or stolen, it still comes back to you. But with the gift certificate, that person can go in and purchase the weapon themselves."

Smith also has tips for purchasing firearms for women. 

Smith said when purchasing a gun for a woman, have her go along to the seller to make sure the gun is the right size for her. He said that sometimes men buy the wrong guns for women -- guns that may have too much recoil or too heavy to shoot accurately.  


About the Authors:

Ashley Harding joined the Channel 4 news team in March 2013. She reports for and anchors The Morning Show.