Your golden years are meant to be enjoyed, but data suggests they may also make you more likely to be targeted by criminals.

Are you prepared to defend yourself and take on all that entails?

AgingInPlace has a great guide to guns for the elderly that includes the mindset that must be considered before purchasing a firearm and how to best educate yourself, choose the right weapon, training and getting caught up on the laws that govern where you live.

"Statistics used to support gun rights include those offered by American Gun Facts, which indicate that in any given year a gun is 80 times more likely to be used to protect someone's life versus to take one. Additionally, the site says women use guns approximately 200,000 times annually to keep from being sexually abused, and three out of five felons say they wouldn't commit a crime against someone who is known to be armed."

From AgingInPlace:

According to research published in the International Criminal Justice Review, though the chance of being victimized is lower for individuals 65 and older than for other age groups, this portion of the population generally has more fear when it comes to personal safety. This study also revealed that some of this concern is related to where they live and their immediate surroundings, but some also have concerns based on their own unstable health or lower economic resources.

In instances like this, having a gun for protection may help relieve some of these concerns to provide a peace of mind that if someone tries to victimize them, they would be in a better position to protect themselves.

Choose the Right Weapon

Ammo.com says that it's extremely important as a senior gun owner to select the right weapon. This involves choosing a gun you're able to handle 'both in manual dexterity and in strength,' which means selecting a firearm in which you can easily and smoothly pull the trigger. Also, it must have a recoil you can handle as well.

With all of this in mind, Ammo.com says that semi-automatic pistols can sometimes be difficult for aging individuals because it takes a bit of strength and dexterity to pull back the slide. However, some seniors find revolvers more challenging because of their typically longer and heavier trigger pull.

The key is to try both to see which one feels easiest and most comfortable. Additionally, while a gun larger than a .22 is recommended for self-defense, if this is the caliber of gun you can best handle, it is 'better than no gun at all,' according to Ammo.com.

Know How to Handle It

After selecting the gun best-suited for your individual needs, the next step is to learn how to handle it in the safest manner possible. If you're unfamiliar with firearms and don't know basic gun safety rules, taking a gun safety course will help you learn the ins and outs of safe gun ownership.

This will also give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have while getting advice from someone who is an expert in gun ownership. You can also search for local firearms instructors and see what types of courses are available. The NRA offers a variety of gun safety classes too.

If your goal is to carry your gun concealed when you're out of the house or to carry it in your vehicle as you travel around, this type of course may be required depending on your state's individual laws.

Learn When You Can and Can't Use a Gun

In addition to knowing how to handle your gun, you also want to know when you can use it.

Unfortunately, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer to this question when it comes to self-defense because the answer varies based on the state you live in, according toConcealed Nation. To find the laws for your local area, this gun expert recommends that you contact your local NRA chapter, take a deadly force class, or research your state laws online.

However, many jurisdictions have three standards that must be met prior to using a gun for self-defense purposes according to Concealed Nation.

1. The first is that the threat must be imminent. In other words, there was nothing you could do to stop the threat (like run away or otherwise thwart the attack) other than shoot your gun.
2. The second is the standard of a 'reasonable man,' which basically asks whether a reasonable person in your situation would have shot the gun as well.
3. The third variable that must usually be present in self-defense shootings is that the threat has to be capable of causing death or, at a minimum, major bodily harm. If it isn't, you're typically not legally justified in shooting a gun in self-defense.

Other factors that could potentially impact your legal ability to use a gun for protecting yourself include whether the threat is credible (the assailant can actually engage in a life-threatening action) and whether you're an innocent party to the attack (you didn't provoke it).

If you're buying the gun for other purposes, such as to hunt or shoot targets, there are local laws about these practices as well. Taking the time to inquire about them before even buying a gun can save you a lot of grief while keeping you from being charged and potentially jailed for violating local firearm laws.

Practice Regularly

If you own a gun, you want to become so familiar with it and so comfortable with its use that it feels like second nature. This requires regular practice, not just shooting it once and putting it away. But how often is regularly?

USA Carry says that your goal should be to get 'really good' with your gun, which this organization translates to mean 'good enough to defend yourself under all sorts of standards' and having 'better than average accuracy at speed.' Their recommendation is to handle the gun every day and at a minimum practicing dry fire drills, which involves practicing with a gun that is unloaded, yet treating it as if it is.

As far as practicing with real ammunition, the more often you fire the gun, the more proficient you will become with it. Make going to the range a priority in your life so you stay brushed up on your firearm handling skills.

If you plan to have the gun for self-defense purposes, take the time to practice in real-life scenarios so you get a better feel for the types of situations you could actually encounter and how to best respond. For instance, if you keep the gun in your nightstand, practice accessing it from your bed in the dark. And if you are going to carry it on your body, practice pulling it from the holster so it is a smoother move.

Regardless of how you plan to carry it and when you plan to use it, always keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to pull it. This will prevent you from inadvertently firing the gun if you become startled or were to inadvertently trip.

Advise Visitors You Have a Gun

Deciding to own a gun also involves making sure it doesn't end up in the hands of someone who is not qualified or legally able to use it. If you plan to have visitors in your home, especially if they are staying overnight, make them aware that you have a gun on the premises so they're not surprised if they see it or you have to use it.

Read the entire article courtesy of AgingInPlace.

About Kris Vermillion Kris Vermillion is a lifelong shooter who focuses his training on defensive shooting techniques and the shooter's mindset. Kris works for Palmetto State Armory, contributing to both Ecommerce and Marketing.