Let me explain to you, point by point, why this is the stupidest post anywhere of all time on the internet:
Depreciation on firearms is characteristically pretty low - people buy them most commonly as luxury items, and then often don't need to sell them, so when they do they often expect a price similar to what one could find for a brand new model. Most used, good condition firearms sold private party are within 20% of what one would pay retail for that model new. Most good condition used firearms sold by vendors are so unbearably close to the brand-new price that it makes one wonder why you'd go that direction in the first place.
Just because someone paid $1,000 for a 10/22 and three rounds of 22 LR in 2008 doesn't mean they should lose money when they sell. Guns are an investment and should offer a decent return. It wouldn't be fair if you were trying to turn some profit and lost. Buy that used gun!
You have a high likelihood of buying someone else's problem - even if they didn't break the gun, there's still the chance that what you're buying is a lemon. Some problems are easily fixed by warranty repair, others are not... at the minimum you run the risk of buying someone else's frustration.
WHY ARE THEY SELLING IT IF IT DOESN'T SUCK? YOU LIKE YOUR CHILDREN AND DON'T SELL THEM? IF THEY ARE SELLIGN IT IT MEANS THERE IS A PROBLEM!
As a new buyer, you won't know what to look for. Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement. With some experience, you can find the occasional great deal on a used firearm. Those of us who do generally know what to look for in used firearms because we've owned ones that were inoperable or before. I have personally been bit buying used guns before, have had to repair those that I've bought, and by extension know what to look for in a similar model.Some of the more insidious problems with firearms can be difficult to spot to an untrained eye.
Face facts man, you're dumb. You're smart enough to buy a used car, maybe even used tires. But trusting yourself to be smart enough to buy a used gun Hahah, no way.
The market is saturated right now - which means that brand new high-quality firearms can be purchased fairly inexpensively. A rugged, bolt-action hunting rifle with a serviceable magnified optic can be had for right around $400 OTD. A pump action shotgun for waterfowl hunting for around $300. If your goal is to hunt - there's no reason to consider used unless it's coming from a 100% trusted source (knowledgeable personal friend or family member).
Turns out accurate (not quality) hunting guns are stupid cheap right now. You van get a serviceable gun and scope in 308 for less than 300 if you look around.
I was joking around but I don't think you'll save a lot by going sed in an entry level gun, and thats what you should be getting until you know what you want/need.