This is an expanded version of a comment in response to someone requesting feedback on where to get started. The character limit for a post response made me have to trim some things out so I'm putting this here as a reference to whoever feels like they'd get value out of it and it can be saved independently.

Note, I am not a professional, I am not an expert. I'm an asshole with too much time on his hands. I love you all.

Mandatory Firsts

• IFAK along with information on how to use anything in it. You want one IFAK with you when you shoot and you ideally should have one with you when you're just out and around. Even a small one can save someone's life. Tourniquets (TQ) are mandatory and get ones from a reputable source (NAR is top notch.) Some companies sell pre-built IFAKs. These are generally not worth the money. You will almost always get a better kit by buying things individually and building your own. Having something in it that you don't quite know how to use is ok as long as you know you don't know how to use it and have it there for someone else who might.

• More on first aid - When shooting you ideally want to have two kits. One should be on your person (plate carrier, belt, ankle, whatever) and the other with your gear. The personal one is your IFAK, it contains what you need to patch up a hole quick and get you to the ER. The larger one should have more supplies, things you may not need immediately but should still have - basic boo boo kit, wraps, ibuprofin, more gauze, ideally another TQ or two, burn gel, and anything else you might need to address an injury or malady on-site. You should consistently be checking your first aid supplies and rotating out things that are old or expired. Do not use tampons to try and "plug" a hole, that's not what they're designed for.

• Ear protection - Plugs muffs are best in terms of overall protection value. Electronic ear pro is very nice but not immediately mandatory. Basic hardware store plugs and muffs will work just fine initially. Howard Leights or Walker Razors tend to be the entry level electronic ear protection. There's not a wild amount of difference between the two. Almost any type of ear plug will work, hardware stores have a selection and as long as they're used properly they will help.

• Eye protection - Pretty simple and self-explanatory. Hardware store will also provide here. If you wear regular glasses, be sure they're impact rated (many are not.) Be aware that wearing glasses with ear protection may cause problems with that hearing protection. The arms of the glasses may break the seal that muffs create around your ears. This may require some fiddling on your part to get everything to seat properly. You can buy gel cups for some types of muffs that will conform around the arms of glasses, they do work well but the cups are a bit spendy.

• Secure storage - If you have guns you need a secure place to store them, don't just jam them in a closet or in a drawer. Even if you live alone, you may at some point have guests or small children over. A smash and grab burglary can also disarm you. A basic safe secured to the wall or a heavy piece of furniture will deter most problems. Don't worry about fire ratings, they're 90% nonsense under the $10,000 mark. If you only have one or two firearms to secure, a Fort Knox box is probably the best value for the money. Don't store them in bags/cases, they trap moisture and can promote rust.

• Gun carrying stuff - A basic bag or pack to carry your guns in to and from where you shoot is important. People get a little twitchy if they see you just walking out to your car with a gun. Most sporting goods stores carry very basic rifle bags. Duffel bags work as well. People have used golf club bags, instrument cases, or tennis racket cases. It doesn't matter as long as it's something that won't make people think you're on the way to commit a mass shooting. Gun socks are also very helpful and many come impregnated with silicone to help deter rust.

• Stuff to carry stuff - Range bags are a matter of personal taste but you do not want to be the person rolling up with their stuff in a shopping bag. Even a basic backpack from Goodwill is going to be miles better. Whatever it is, it should be comfortable to carry and easy to identify at a glance as yours. I personally like backpacks, duffels put a little too much weight on one side of my body and I like having my hands free. I would also recommend against getting something black. Most guns and gun parts are black and I thought I'd lost several magazines before realizing they were just hiding in the yawning chasm of my first range bag.

• Hydration - Water bottle where the part you put your mouth on is covered by the lid. Highly recommend filling it about halfway with water the night before and sticking it in the freezer then putting the rest of the water in before you leave to go shooting. If it's very hot and you're sweating a lot, you want to think about some type of oral rehydration salts. They replace electrolytes your body loses through sweating and drinking lots of water. Pedialyte works just fine but there's a dozen brands out there that do the same thing, pick one and keep it with your first aid range gear.

• Weather gear - Clothes that are comfortable and will keep you comfortable when you shoot. The clothes you shoot in shouldn't be clothes you wear around every day. You will get lead dust and other grossness on them that shouldn't be in your living space - wash them after you use them. Hats with a brim will come in handy. I get a ton of mileage out of a basic keffiyeh - they're inexpensive, keep you cool in summer and warm in winter, usable for a thousand things, are super comfy, and come in every color you could think of.

• Clothes - This isn't so much a "you must get" as "keep in mind when picking." Clothes for shooting should be comfortable, allow for freedom of movement, but not be baggy or difficult to keep on your body. If you have to adjust your clothing regularly to keep it comfortable/on you, it's not good shooting clothes. Low cut tops, vee necks, and other open top clothing isn't recommended. You don't need a turtleneck but hot brass can find its way in even a regular t-shirt, you don't need to give it an easier time getting to you. Shoes should be flat with decent traction and full protection for your toes. Sandals are not recommended. Whatever you wear, be sure to wash it afterwards.

• TP - Doesn't have to be a full roll and there's a bunch of it that gets sold as camping supplies. Wet wipes also will be a bonus. There's tons of ranges where bathrooms get restocked sporadically and public ranges that aren't staffed often have no bathrooms at all. If you shoot in the woods you really want it because otherwise you get to play a game of "Do I remember what all the plants that I don't want on my butthole look like?"

• Firearm cleaning equipment - You need a cleaning rod, patches, and some type of lube or cleaner (more on cleaner in a second). The rod should be fiberglass, aluminum, or brass - whatever won't scratch the rifling in a firearm. There are a dozen kits sold by no-name companies that are just fine for this purpose. Bore snakes come up a lot but I don't generally recommend them because they're easy to get stuck. A needle bottle will come in very, very handy when applying lubricants.

• Lube/cleaner - I spent several months tearing apart literature to figure out what makes a good gun lube and once you scrape away the marketeering wank the TL;DR is to use a CLP that's intended for guns and made by a reputable manufacturer. Don't use motor oil and don't be afraid to over-lube. I rarely use grease and even then I tend to use it pretty sparingly as more of an indicator than a lubricant.

• Holster/sling - You need some way to carry/secure your firearm when you're shooting. Even a cheap "universal" holster is better for a pistol than just jamming it in your pocket at the range. Ideally you want something made for your firearm and decent slings don't cost much but you need something to keep your firearm under control when you're not using it. Try to avoid things that aren't intended to be firearm slings, it's tempting but best case scenario it's embarrassing to have your sling fail suddenly at the range and worst case scenario it's actively dangerous.

• Gloves - Mechanix is a popular choice, I personally find them a bit bulky. Basically anything to protect your hands will be helpful. Anything that fits snugly on your hands but allows freedom of movement will be good. Another hardware store easy find. For cold weather, consider layering gloves. I have a pair of Outdoor Research gloves that I put a set of fingerless Mechanix Impact gloves on over top for cold weather and I'm quite happy with that.

• Targets - You're going to need something to shoot at. If you shoot in the woods do not shoot trash and do not bring trash with you to shoot - not only will this mess up the outdoors but it can get you a pretty hefty fine or your firearm confiscated. If it's already there, take it with you if you can or push it to the side otherwise. Paper targets are readily avalible at any sporting goods store. Cheap (non-sealed) paper plates make good cheap targets, just be sure they're made out of paper and can biodegrade if you're shooting outdoors.

Training

• Stop The Bleed - This should be done before you ever go to the range. It's a very basic class on how to control various types of severe bleeding and training to use basic IFAK gear. Various local SRA chapters put them on but if you search "stop the bleed <your area>" you'll almost guaranteed get a result. Even if there are no trainings in your area, the materials are generally freely available online. Review them regularly.

• Local Firearms Handling - This will depend on what's available in your area but you should seek out a local trainer that can give you a hands-on class in whatever firearm you have. This may require some negotiating or some tongue biting if your only options are chud-tastic but a gentle "I appreciate that you trust me enough to want to talk about politics but I'm really trying to just focus on skills right now" can keep things on track. Talk to your instructor first and be sure they're aware of what your familiarity level is before you take their course. This should be a high priority in your training budget.

• CPR/First Aid - Get done soon after you start shooting. If you can swing the cost, getting certified is nice but local colleges often offer the classes and if you eschew the certification you can frequently audit them and get the information for free.

• TCCC - Tactical Combat Casualty Care, advanced first aid training dealing with being shot at. Not a top priority but if you can swing the training you absolutely should.

Firearms

• Pistol - You'll be fine with literally any of the "Wonder Nines." Glocks are a lot of people's first pistols because they're pretty cheap, easy to learn, easy to use, and pretty reliable. You can rent handguns at ranges, if you're lucky enough to have a local one that isn't shit, go play with them and see what you like. 9mm is the only caliber you care about to start with for a pistol.

• Shotgun - Most gun shops will have used 12 gauge shotguns, prices thereof can....vary. You might need to keep an eye out for an older Remington but a basic pump action shouldn't run too much. Mossberg makes some pretty nice contemporary pumps as well. If 12 gauge is a little too spicy for you, 20 gauge is an option. Remember that a brand new shotgun will have some break-in time where you may have to seriously muscle the action to get the slide moving.

• Rifle - An AR is probably the best choice in the US at this point. If there are no specific legal issues with getting one in your state, get the most basic AR you can (ABC Rifle Company has a very affordable basic model), throw a red dot on it, get a sling, and run the hell out of it. You should also have extra magazines, 10 at least. PMAGs are the go-to for most people.

• Home defense - This is where a lot of people's interest starts. To make a long list of recommendations short, 98% of people will be good with a PCC (pistol caliber carbine, basically a rifle that shoots a pistol cartridge) in 9mm that uses Glock magazines with a red dot and a light on it. Laws in your area permitting, this will be the best mix of the various features you want in a home defense firearm that isn't super specialized or crazy expensive.

Some AR notes:

• Almost any AR you buy today can run both .223 Remington and 5.56. For your purposes, .223 is cheaper with less recoil. Buy the cheapest ammo you can until you're more proficient with your rifle. Steel case is fine, avoid military surplus ammo, and don't buy someone else's reloaded ammunition.

• Resist the temptation to buy a bunch of extra crap and slap it on your rifle because you think you need it. Keep your rifle basic until you run into a problem. If you feel like the grip isn't the right shape and is uncomfortable or the stock isn't working or you need something to give you grip up front, then go shopping. You will save yourself a ton of money by resisting the urge to customize just because you can.

• There are a ton of resources online for assembling and disassembling your rifle. Literally every part of an AR can be swapped out (except the lower but those are...hard to break) so don't feel nervous about taking it apart and fiddling around with it. You're not going to be able to cause a problem that can't be easily fixed. Midway's YouTube channel has a number of detailed videos about the assembly and building of an AR. Brownell's also maintains a YT channel with a ton of great information on it.

Generally Useful Stuff

• Mag loader - These will save your fingies a lot of pain and they're not expensive. Maglula is the top name in this game but they're also an Israeli company and I personally refuse to give money to an Israeli company. There are a plethora of knock-offs around for way cheaper. Mag loaders come for literally every caliber out there.

• Load bearing vest - Neither a plate carrier nor chest rig, this is just a thing to hold mags at the range. Condor is a pretty reliable and inexpensive entry level point for this kind of gear. It just means you don't have to shove mags in your pockets. This can also be a belt but I tend to steer people more towards a vest because there's just less to think about.

• Red dot - You really should learn to use iron sights first but a red dot is a good starting point for newer shooters. Sig makes some solid entry level red dots, a Sig Romeo 5 is like $200 and is a fine how do you do for a new shooter.

• Tool kit - Grab a little pouch and put a few tools in it. I have a multitool and some flip out hex drivers. This is just for basic range fixes - a screw came loose or I need to change a battery quick. Don't fill it full of stuff you don't know if you need, this is a basic "fix it in two minutes" bag. Include a cheap sectional cleaning rod in case a casing gets stuck in the chamber and you need to get it out.

• Silicone cloth - As the name implies, it's a simple cloth impregnated with silicone. Whenever you handle your firearm or bring it back from the range, give it a quick wipe down and it'll help keep it cleaner and keep the rust off it. They're a couple bucks online, Birchwood Casey is probably the best one I've found.

• Patches - Not the ones you clean your gun with. Patches and general swag might seem pointless but it serves an actual purpose. Most gun stuff is one of three or four colors and the same basic design. Especially at a range it can be a bit difficult to distinguish at a glance whose bag or box is whose and it can easily allow someone to walk off with your bag because you don't immediately recognize it as yours. Patches will help set your equipment apart visually and helps identify you as someone who is potentially safer to approach. I have a Black Lives Matter and a Defend Equality patch on my range bag and I've had a number of people approach me at a range who specifically said they felt more comfortable talking to me because they saw my patches.

Places To Shop

North American Rescue - Should be one of your primary stops for first aid gear. It's a little spendy but the stuff that keeps the blood on the inside when it wants to go outside is where you want to spend. Also one of the few places I'd trust to buy a pre-built IFAK from.

Brownell's - Tons of parts and pieces. If something breaks, this is usually a good place to go to get a replacement.

Midway - A bit scattered but they can have some solid deals on good stuff.

OffColorDecals - A lot of great lefty patches and stickers.

Unless you absolutely have to shop there, avoid Amazon. Fakes and reproductions run rampant there and because of how Amazon processes orders, you can get a fake even if you order from an actual official seller. It's tempting, I know, but it's not worth the headache.

Always ask questions. It's hard sometimes to ask a question we feel is stupid but it is always better to ask than to assume. That's how people get hurt or break things. No one worth your time or respect will make you feel bad for asking a basic question. If someone is going to be a jerk about knowledge seeking, find someone else who isn't an asshole.

Common questions, objections, or points

"What about .22lr?"

I don't really recommend rimfire for new shooters. Rimfire can be temperamental and require some extra TLC to get it to run properly and ammunition selection can make a bigger difference. I've watched a number of new shooters get frustrated by rimfire, there's no advantage to it aside from cost.

People will ask about the report, won't new shooters be freaked out by the loudness of a centerfire round? Yes, probably. But being used to the sound of .22lr isn't going to make that centerfire less of a jump. Recoil on .223 is negligible.

"Motor oil is just fine to use."

In the grand scheme of things, sure. Nothing is going to explode or catch fire or cause instant death if you use it. I tell people not to because motor oil lacks a lot of the rust prevention properties that actual gun lube or CLP uses and, when heated, motor oil gives off fumes that aren't super great for you. When basic, purpose made firearm lube is cheap (which it is) and even someone with a heavy hand isn't going to go through it that fast, there's no point to using it. Your cost savings is pennies over the course of multiple years.

Just use the right tool for the right job.

"Do I need armor?"

Initially, no. Eventually it's not a bad idea but focus on shooting fundamentals first and learning your firearm.

"Steel armor is just fine."

No, it isn't. This topic has been done to death and a search will pull up the laundry list of reasons why it's not.

"How do I store ammo?"

Military style ammo cans are still the closest point to the sweet spot between price, durability, and sealability (it's a word now, I said so.) Harbor Freight sells them for $12-$15 but you can get them as low as $10 when they have a deal. Put the ammo in the can, throw in a desiccant pack, and you should be fine. If the rubber seal on the can is looking a bit sad, use a little dab of oil (preferably silicone) and wipe it down.

"What are some YouTube channels or online resources you recommend?"

GunTube is...kind of a fraught place but there are some gems.

Honest Outlaw - He and his wife do solid review work, mostly for pistols but they have a lot of good information.

Paul Harrell - He does extensive testing of ideas, myths, and just general concepts from the gun world. He's politically old school libertarian but he keeps that pretty clear of his channel. His stuff is verbose but very informative.

Lucky Gunner - Chris' videos are informative and to-the-point. I wouldn't hire him as a hype man but Lucky Gunner still has a lot of interesting information on it. Their website also has some solid offerings. Ammo prices can vary but deals do show up.

Tacticool Girlfriend - Tac is kind of a newcommer but she's made a pretty big splash. Her content is geared for newer people and she's one of the very few trans GunTubers out there, certainly the one with the biggest following. I would highly recommend her work even if you're not interested in shooting as her videos are highly informative.

Brownell's - It seems weird to recommend them but their YT channel does have a surprising amount of good info on it. Their Smithbusters segments address a lot of common ideas in the gun world and even though I'd like to see a liiiitle more work put into them, they're still super helpful.

PewPew Tactical - A little more "click bait-y" but they still have an impressive suite of videos that are informative without straying into politics. Their site is also good but take it as a starting point rather than gospel.

Polenar Tactical - A Slovenian training company, their YT channel doesn't upload frequently but it does have a lot of fun and interesting things on it that are a little more European focused including some AK content.

InRange TV - The Castle of Karl, InRange is a very diverse channel with lots of different types of content but all of it is top notch. Important to note that while Karl and Ian did work together on InRange for some time and do still collaborate from time to time, InRange is now solely Karl's project.

Forgotten Weapons - The temple of Gun Jesus himself, Forgotten Weapons is more for historical information and context but Ian does still upload a lot of practical footage that can be very informative.

TFB TV - This one gets a hesitant recommendation. They don't typically stray into politics but the main host, James, tends to make some off-color comments from time to time. TFB TV has several presenters and a few guest appearances as well as focusing on new and emerging things in the gun world so they're worth keeping an eye on. They at least attempt to keep politics out of their stuff as much as you can with gun topics.

Armed and Styled - Tessah is an independent content producer but she does work with Philster Holsters. She does excellent work mainly focused around conceal carry but hers is a rare women's voice in the GunTube space that isn't also raging right-wing. She's also a good place for people to start who feel like the gun world is a bit too much of a sausage-fest.

Midway - Their YouTube channel has several very in-depth videos about common firearms platforms and how to care for them. They have a pretty "big box store" vibe but also a lot of helpful info.

Khyberpass Customs - More of a fun one but they show off some of the custom gunsmithing coming out of Darra as well as just slices of life in the valley. Not a lot of hard info but a lot of fun.

I would highly recommend finding a YouTube downloader and if you find a YouTube video that covers something that you find helpful, download that video and save it offline. YouTube has a tendency to get a bug up its ass every now and again and take a chainsaw to gun related content so what was there a few months ago may not be now.

That should be plenty to get you started. Best of luck.