[Roadrunner]

If the Kel Tec is all she can afford, it will work, but it's extremely difficult to be accurate with one due to the stiff and gritty trigger. Mine has been very reliable, over 300 rounds with no failures of any type (that includes about 100 hollow points). I have placed an order for a Kahr and hope to recieve it by the end of the month, after that the Kel-Tec will be sold (I already have a buyer). I know they aren't cheap, but I really believe your aunt will be far happier with and better served by the Kahr. It's superior to the Kel Tec in every way except for capacity. Better trigger, better sights, lighter, thinner, better materials... the list goes on. If she can't come up with the money today, advise her to keep the Bersa for six months and put $20 a week into an envelope during the same time. By the end of the six months she'll have enough to buy a P9 outright, then she can use the sale of the Bersa to finance a good carry rig.

 

[Roadrunner]

If you are going to a dealer that knows you, perhaps you could cut a deal with them in advance? Something like, my aunt is coming in, let her negotiate the price down to $300 and I'll pay the difference? Just trying to think outside the box...

Good idea, except that it's illegal, per the definition of straw purchase. I'm not saying the idea is bad or that the law is right, but no reputable gun-shop will be able to go along with what you describe.

 

[Roadrunner]

I could be wrong, but I'll tell you this; I sell guns for a sporting goods store part-time, and I would not want to be involved in such a purchase. It doesn't bother me personally, not ethically anyway; but given the laws that are in place and my knowledge of them, there is too much potential for bad there. Hopefully I'm wrong, but if you take that route please be sure to research it fully first.