WASHINGTON COUNTY, TN (WJHL) – Gun sales in America are spiking to near-record levels. In December alone, 1.6 million guns were sold across the U.S and Virginia saw its second highest annual firearms sales in 2015.

For many people, the process to buy a gun can be simple, but knowing when a person can legally use it can be much harder. News Channel 11 teamed up with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to find out how to make tough decisions under the gun.

News Channel 11 teamed up with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to find out how to make tough decisions under the gun.

News Channel 11’s Sydney Cameron went to D&J General Store in Jonesborough where owner David Copus has a laser shot simulator.

“It’s going to be as close to being into a gunfight as you’re ever going to have without being in an actual gunfight,” Copus said.

There are more than 400 scenarios a person can go through, experiencing everything from a home invasion to carjackings.

At our request, Capt. Bryan Horton with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office acted as an instructor, teaching Sydney how to hold and shoot a gun and how to avoid common mistakes in dangerous situations. “Once you pull the trigger you can’t call the bullet back,” he said.

“Once you pull the trigger you can’t call the bullet back,” Captain Brian Horton with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said.

“The eyes cannot kill you. Watch the hands,” Horton said.

The first few scenarios Sydney ran through involved a stranger breaking into her house. Each time she shot the intruder. Horton said, “I think you made the right decision. You waited. You saw the weapon. Once he came out with the weapon you shot.”

Under Tennessee law, a person can use deadly force is someone unlawfully breaks into their house, business, or car and they believe they or a third-party are in imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm.

“If they point a weapon at you, you’re justified,” Horton instructed. “If they come running towards you with a knife, you’re justified.”

Under Tennessee law, a person can use deadly force is someone unlawfully breaks into their house, business, or car and they believe they or a third-party are in imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm.

If the intruder does not a weapon Horton said it could be harder to justify shooting them. In Virginia, a person can use deadly force if they feel like their life or another person’s life is in danger, but a person cannot use deadly force to protect property.

In Virginia, a person can use deadly force if they feel like their life or another person’s life is in danger, but a person cannot use deadly force to protect property.

But , Sydney discovered dangerous situations outside the home were harder to assess, especially when it involved three or more people. At times, she was not sure if she could legally shoot someone in order to protect another person.

Horton said that is where judgement comes into play.

“Once you pull the trigger you can’t call the bullet back,” he said. “You’ve got to know what you’re doing. If you pull the trigger and that’s an innocent person, you can be criminally charged. You can be civilly charged. You could lose everything you own. Plus, you could go to prison.”

Horton said a person has to process a lot in a split-second, before deciding to pull the trigger, from stance, aim, assessing the situation, being aware of surroundings, and innocent people who are nearby. Horton thinks people have a greater responsibility than just getting a permit to carry a gun.

“What happens if you have to use that gun. Are you going to use it correctly? Are you going to miss? And a lot of people don’t think about that,” he said.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) also says the right to bear arms comes with responsibility.

Every year, thousands of firearms are reported lost or stolen. ATF encourages the public to record the serial number, make, and model and keep a photograph of any personally owned firearms.

The information should be kept separately from the properly stored guns and can aid police if a gun is ever stolen. You can download the ATF personal firearm record to record the make, model, and a serial number of your personally owned gun.

If you are interested in taking the laser shot course at D&J General Store, you can call 423-349-3040 for more information. The store is located at 355 Kinchloe Mill Road in Jonesborough.Copyright 2016 WJHL. All rights reserved.