A first-time buyer should plan on spending $900 to $1,500 to buy a gun and be ready to actually use it, even though the firearm itself usually costs $400 to $800. The gap is taxes, a background check or permit, secure storage, hearing protection, a basic training class, and a first case of ammunition. How much does it cost to buy a gun depends on the type of firearm, your state’s licensing rules, and how seriously you invest in training and storage, but the sticker price is rarely more than half the real total.
What the Gun Itself Costs
Prices vary widely by category. A quality handgun for concealed carry or range shooting runs $500 to $800 new, with budget options below $400 and premium models well past $1,000. Bolt-action hunting rifles sit in a similar range, with most solid choices between $500 and $1,000 and high-end models climbing toward $2,500. AR-15-style rifles run $500 to $2,000, and the sweet spot for a dependable, upgradeable rifle is around $800 to $1,000. Shotguns are often the cheapest entry point: basic home-defense models start below $400, and hunting shotguns range from $400 to $1,500.
Buying used can cut 15 to 30 percent off those prices, sometimes more. A used handgun in good condition from a reputable dealer is one of the most affordable ways to start. Bore condition, round count, and any modifications all affect value, so inspect carefully or buy from a dealer who offers a return window.
Taxes at the Register
State and local sales tax applies to firearms the way it applies to any retail purchase. Combined rates run under 5 percent in some places and over 10 percent in others. On a $600 handgun, that difference alone can add $30 to $60 or more to your receipt.
A federal excise tax of 10 percent on pistols and revolvers and 11 percent on rifles, shotguns, and ammunition is levied on manufacturers and importers under the Internal Revenue Code.1Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. Firearms and Ammunition Taxes and Tax Exemptions You never see it as a line item at checkout, but it’s baked into the retail price.
Background Check, Transfer, and Permit Fees
Every purchase from a licensed dealer runs through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.2Federal Bureau of Investigation. About NICS The FBI does not charge for the check itself. Roughly a dozen states act as their own point of contact rather than routing requests through the FBI, and some of those states charge a modest processing fee.
If you buy online, from an out-of-state seller, or through any transaction where you and the seller are in different states, the gun has to ship to a Federal Firearms Licensee in your state who completes the transfer and background check.3Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. ATF P 5300.21 – Best Practices: Transfers of Firearms by Private Sellers Transfer fees are set by the dealer and commonly run $20 to $50 per firearm, more in areas with less competition. Some states also require private in-state sales to go through an FFL, which adds a transfer fee to what would otherwise be a person-to-person deal.
Depending on where you live, you may need a permit or license before you can even purchase. Requirements differ dramatically. Some states impose none; others require a firearms identification card, purchase permit, or license involving an application fee, fingerprinting, and a photo. Application fees range from under $25 to over $100. Fingerprinting, when required, adds $20 to $90.
Concealed carry permits are separate and vary even more. Fees run from about $10 to several hundred dollars, and many states require a training course before issuing one. A growing number of states allow permitless carry for residents, though some owners in those states still get a permit for reciprocity when traveling.
Storage and Safety Gear
A firearm without secure storage, hearing protection, and basic maintenance supplies is an incomplete purchase.
- Gun safe or locking device: small handgun lockboxes start under $30. Mid-range safes that hold a few long guns run $200 to $500. Full-size, fire-rated safes with electronic locks run $500 to over $3,000. At a minimum, a cable or trigger lock, often included free with a new gun, prevents unauthorized access.
- Eye and ear protection: a basic combo with shooting glasses and foam or over-ear muffs costs $20 to $60. Electronic earmuffs, which amplify speech while blocking gunfire, run $40 to $100 and are worth it if you train with others.
- Cleaning kit: a universal kit with brushes, patches, solvent, and lubricant runs $20 to $70. Skipping cleaning accelerates wear and causes malfunctions, so this is a day-one purchase.
Training
This is where most new owners underinvest. Basic safety and introductory courses run $50 to $150 and cover grip, stance, sight alignment, and safe handling. More comprehensive classes, including the ones required for a concealed carry permit in many states, typically cost $100 to $300 for a full day. Advanced defensive shooting programs from well-known instructors can run $500 to $800 or more over multiple days.
Even at the low end, budgeting $100 to $200 for initial training pays off in confidence, safety, and not burning through expensive ammunition with bad habits. Many ranges offer beginner packages that bundle a short class with supervised range time and a rental gun, which is also a smart way to try before you buy.
Ammunition
Ammo is the single largest ongoing expense for anyone who shoots regularly, and costs depend on caliber, brand, and whether you’re buying practice rounds or defensive loads.
- 9mm, the most popular handgun round: $0.25 to $0.35 per round for practice, $0.65 to $1.15 for self-defense hollow points.
- .223/5.56, the standard AR-15 round: $0.50 to $0.65 per round for practice, $0.80 to $1.50 for match-grade and defensive loads.
- .45 ACP: about $0.45 to $0.55 per practice round, roughly $1.00 for defensive loads.
- 12-gauge shotgun: about $0.45 to $0.60 per shell of birdshot for target shooting, $1.00 to $1.50 for buckshot and slugs.
A single range session of 200 rounds of 9mm practice ammo costs $50 to $70 just in ammunition. Do that twice a month and you’re spending over $1,200 a year on ammo alone. Buying in bulk cases of 500 or 1,000 rounds usually saves 10 to 20 percent per round.
Range Access
Unless you own rural property where you can shoot safely and legally, you’ll need a range. Drop-in fees at indoor ranges typically run $15 to $35 per visit, more at premium facilities. Outdoor ranges are often cheaper, and some public ranges run by state wildlife agencies charge only a few dollars or nothing at all.
If you plan to shoot regularly, a membership almost always pays off. Annual memberships at private clubs and indoor ranges commonly run $100 to $500 depending on the facility and how much access you want. For someone shooting twice a month, a $300 annual membership beats $30-per-visit drop-ins by more than $400 a year.
Maintenance and Insurance
Firearms are mechanically simple, but they aren’t maintenance-free. Replacing worn springs, extractors, or other small parts is an occasional expense, and having a gunsmith diagnose a problem runs $30 to $75 per hour. Most common handguns and rifles go thousands of rounds between parts replacements, so this is more of an every-few-years cost than a monthly one.
Firearm-specific insurance is worth considering once you own more than one gun or carry regularly. Property coverage for a small collection starts around $60 to $75 per year and scales with insured value. Liability coverage, which protects you financially if your firearm is involved in an accidental injury, runs roughly $150 to $300 per year. Some owners also buy legal defense memberships that cover attorney fees after a self-defense incident, typically $15 to $40 per month.
A Note on Suppressors and Other NFA Items
If you’re considering a suppressor, short-barreled rifle, or short-barreled shotgun, the cost math changes. Effective January 1, 2026, the federal making and transfer tax on these items was reduced from $200 to zero under federal legislation. The registration process itself has not changed: you still file the appropriate ATF form, submit fingerprints, pass an NFA background check, and wait for approval before taking possession.
The Bottom Line
A first-time buyer who picks a mid-range handgun and does everything right — safe storage, proper training, enough ammunition to actually practice, and hearing protection — should expect to spend $900 to $1,500 before the first real range session. The gun itself might be only half of that. Ongoing costs for ammunition, range access, and occasional maintenance add $500 to $2,000 or more per year depending on how often you shoot. None of these numbers should be surprising, but they catch people off guard when the only figure they researched was the price of the gun.