Free pistol in "The Alley" mission
After you beat up the men and are told to locate your safehouse, follow the Don's enforcer out of the alley and turn left. Walk down a short distance to the next alley on your left. There will be a thug standing there, staring at you. He will not attack, but if you beat him up he will drop a pistol, which is good for a first gun. You can use the pistol to get through the next few missions easier (before you are given a more powerfu gun by the mob).