Need help picking out an air rifle

Greetings, I am currently contemplating the purchase of an air rifle, though I must admit I possess very little practical experience in this particular arena. I was wondering if anyone here might be willing to share their personal insights or perhaps offer some seasoned recommendations regarding which models might be worth considering?

I have no intention of breaking the bank on this endeavor; I am looking to stay within a reasonable budget, perhaps somewhere in the neighborhood of a few hundred dollars, though I might stretch that slightly if the quality justifies it. Furthermore, is there a specific retailer you would suggest for such equipment, and more importantly, does one require any specific permits or legal clearances to acquire one in the US?

Much obliged,

Look, you don't need some official permit just to get started. It really all comes down to what you’re actually trying to accomplish... if your goal is to take out moving targets (and by that, I mean innocent little critters or maybe some random passersby 😁—just kidding, obviously), then you’ll want to prioritize something with high muzzle velocity (we're talking 200+ m/s) and a beefier caliber.
The .17 cal is pretty much the industry standard, and honestly, it’s the easiest one to find at any local sporting goods store. Of course, you’ve also got the .22 and the .25 options if you want to step things up a bit.

If you're looking for a place to start, here's a decent air rifle that won't break the bank:

From what I've gathered, Bass Pro Shops usually has the widest selection of air rifles around, and the staff there is actually pretty helpful if you're stuck in a loop of indecision about which model to pick...

Maybe head over to the PF forum: the world around us🙂 😁