The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) surveyed firearm retailers in May 2020 in an effort to quantify the proportion of firearms purchases made by first-time buyers during the first four months of 2020.

Firearms retailers estimate that 40% of their gun customers in the first four months of 2020 were first-time buyers. Personal protection was the over-riding purpose of the handguns, MSRs and shotguns purchased by first-time buyers. 

While the motivation for these first-time buyers is to improve their opportunity to protect themselves in the event of a violent crime, it is fortunate many of these people will never actually need to defend themselves with a firearm. Think of it more as insurance. 

Regardless, many of these people, should and will spend time at the range, practicing their accuracy, committing aiming, their grip and squeezing of the trigger to note memory so that it will come natural should they ever need to use their firearm under a stressful situation. A key part to training is creating a regimen that repeats everything over and over and makes every aspect of loading, aiming and shooting consistent.

When it comes to choosing the right ammunition for personal protection, Winchester offers the most comprehensive and innovative lineup of products. Engineered to maximize terminal ballistics as defined by the FBI test protocol, Winchester Defender centerfire handgun ammunition provides maximum stopping power for the ultimate performance in personal defense. The innovative and proprietary Winchester bonding process welds the jacket to the lead core for improved penetration, 1.5x expansion and the proven performance needed when the stakes are high. The load also includes a notched jacket, which is preprogrammed to expand into six uniform segments for consistent tactical performance.

Winchester Defender shotshell ammunition provides maximum stopping power for the ultimate performance in personal defense. Winchester incorporates unique technologies in specific rounds including, slug and buck, the segmenting slug and a unique 410 round, which includes Defense Discs and plated BBs. The Defender line also includes ammunition for rifle and rimfire.These products are designed to help you stop the threat and are considered Winchester’s most innovative and comprehensive line of ammunition for personal defense.