But can you use that gun and expect to remain free? The new environment appears to be a manifestation of that principle "... in-groups whom the law protects but does not bind, and out-groups whom the law binds, but does not protect."

As in: if you (justifiably) use that weapon in self-defense, will the US 'justice' system as it is today properly see it as self-defense, or railroad you into prison (or worse)?

If I were in the USA today, that would be my very real fear. The courts are packed with ultra-conservative, Christian nationalists and there may be no protection for those who seek it there.

https://socialistra.org/about

Honestly, it's not as bad as you think, most of the time. Most larger gun stores aren't going to have employees that go off on political shit. If you go to a chain store, like a Cabella's/Bass Pro Shops, employees are usually told to avoid any political shit. If you go into a small store in a small town, then yeah, it's probably going to be pretty bad. If you're an obviously marginalized person (non-white, esp. younger and in a non-white-mainstream subculture, LGBTQ+, obviously non-Christian, etc.), then you're probably going to have a less-than-optimal experience. If you're a woman, you're probably going to have male employees trying to convince you to buy tiny pocket guns or things in bright colors.

If you aren't already familiar with guns, I would recommend taking a basic intro class at a store in a larger city. Assuming that you're talking about a carry gun, 99% of the time the correct firearm is going to be a Glock 19 MOS with a good red dot sight, like a Holosun EPS or 509-series, or the Lead and Steel 'Pandora' PB-3. I've heard really positive things about the Phlster Enigma holsters, but haven't had a chance to get one yet. I'd also strongly suggest spending a lot of time in dry-fire exercises, and I'd suggest taking up IDPA competitions as well; the best gun in the world isn't going to help if you don't actually train with it.

Please remember: a firearm is not a magic talisman, any more than a fire extinguisher is. Simply having it doesn't help; you need to carry it regularly, and you need to know how to use it.

As other people have said, please consider getting a good locking container for your firearm if you have children around, roommates, or the like. What you ideally want is something that's certified with the Underwriters Lab (UL) as a 'residential security container' (I think that's UL 1037; other UL standards you might see are for fire resistance). Most gun "safes" do not meet the requirements of insurance companies to be considered burglary resistant; a true burglary-resistant gun safe will easily cost >$5k. (By which I mean a safe that's rated as TL-15, TL-30X6, TRTL-30X6, etc.) Mechanical locks--esp. Sargent & Greenleaf--are more reliable than electronic locks, but slower to open.

Buy a good safe at the same time. Do not put that off.

As long as you don’t have a common name, the buying process will be as simple as showing some ID and paying like you would for any other purchase.

Its not bad at all.

That makes no sense.