Why do you own guns?

I recently had a talented friend of mine down form Denver for a musical performance, and took him out shooting. After spending time in showing him quite a few old antique firearms, I realized that I still have quite a bit of interest in the subject. I realized that the itch has been rekindled. In the last three days I have picked up two surplus rifles (Swiss K-11, the precursor to the K-31, and the Swiss Vetterli rechambered by the Italians for 6.5 Carcano for use in WWI), with another three... four.... or five to be acquired in the next couple of months. A couple German Mausers with swastikas intact, perhaps a Siamese Mauser, M1917.. or a FN49.

Anyway. Most of my guns are collectors pieces. I possess 50 or so, give or take. It has been a while since I have counted them. The AR's, M&P handguns, and Savage 110FP are for practical/self-defense purposes. Just about everything else is just "fun to look at".

I imagine when read by my fellow leftists, they will see some subliminal messages about killing kids or something. But simply read it as it is stated and you will be fine.

 

My primary use of firearms is recreation. Just shooting inanimate targets. I actually recently made a youtube video where I made a batch of ballistic gel and shot it with wax slugs. The bulk of the video was how to make the slugs and safety advice.

Should my family need food I can hunt. Should an intruder invade my home a secondary function is a home defense gun. Should I need to fight in a militia they can be used for homeland defense. I don't want it to come to that. I'm not some psychotic who jerks off with rem oil while watching Red Dawn. I don't want it to come to that, but I can't turn a blind eye and just assume it will never happen.

 

Work, historical significance / collecting, hunting, expression of a guaranteed freedom.

 

Wall decorations for the "man cave." WW1 & WW2 era rifles with the firing pins removed, functioning but they are strictly for historical value. I've got about 20 or so of those. For plinking at paper targets at the range I own a Ruger 10/22 as .22LR caliber ammunition is inexpensive. Home defense, a Springfield XD pistol in .40 caliber; and a Smith & Wesson Model 15 in .38 caliber (revolver). Interesting story about the Model 15, when I was in the U.S. Air Force, I was deployed to an area that was deemed "hazardous" and we were issued a firearm for certain flights. At the time the M-9 pistol was being incorporated into the services as the standard issue sidearm and there weren't enough to go around. There was a war on afterall (Persian Gulf war) We were issued Vietnam war era Model 15 .38 revolvers as a result. Therefore that particular gun type has significance to me. I actually carried one, on occasion, in the service of similar type...never used it to shoot at anybody however. All things considered, hopefully I never will as 95% of what I own will never be used for it's intended purpose again, it is strictly for the historical relevance.

 

Why do you own guns?

To protect my family should it be needed.

 

I bought one after being beaten half to death.

 

I only have one- and its just because I happen to like guns, and like firing guns, but decided to not keep more because of having a child in the house. As a liberal, I like guns. I am also fine with reasonable restrictions.

 

My pride and joys are my two race guns for competition use only. They are highly modified by some of the best gunsmiths in the country. They have allowed me to travel to great matches in the US and abroad, all with corporate sponsorship. I have one every day carry gun for self defense. I have two hunting rifles and recreational target pistol. I have two shotguns for trap shooting and duck hunting also.

 

My guns serve the same primary purpose as my golf clubs---they are sports equipment that place a projectile at a target. Golf clubs can also be used as a weapon if need be as seen with the Kennedy clan's Michael Shakel. Bows and arrows, bowling balls, knives, and javalins are similar weapons that are used for sport.

I don't collect most things for decoration or investments. When I buy a gun, they will be used for something. Hopefully never to shoot someone.

 

I have guns because I want them and have a right to own them. I've used them for hunting, pest destruction, target shooting, and potentially for defense (meaning that is the intended use for some, but I've thankfully never had to use it).

 

I have always had a gun or two in the house. It is a tool, just like a hammer or skil saw. Since I've been a member here, I own several more just to (*)(*)(*)(*) the anti-gunners off

 

Same here. I really get into surplus and vintage firearms. Love reading about the history of each make and model. What battles took place with what type of weapon deployed, tactics developed because of the rifles limitations and how the models evolved.

Started collecting surplus about 10 years now, had to build a special vault. It is a great hobby and sport. My son is now doing the same and my wife is always on the hunt for any surplus rifle, carbine or firearm. Can not explain how many times the family and friends have been out shooting making a camping weekend out of it. The smiles, laughter and great food on the campfire in the evenings make for some wonderful quality time together.

Next year May 23rd we will have our 1st camp out of the summer with a total of 26 people in our group. All will have Modern or surplus firearms wanting bragging rights for the summer......good times indeed. You may know the area we go to, it is behind Woodland Park heading north on public land. Jeep country.

 

yeah, those kinds of questions require pre-payment, say........... 100 bucks a pop lmmfao
I got to admire the Anti-gunner crowd. Every time they whine, the value of my guns go up

 

Woodland Park? I am quite a bit further south.

 

Last December I sold an AR-15 for less than I should have, $650, had I waited one week, I could have sold it for $2,000.

 

Why do I own guns? Because in this great country I CAN...

 

Well then, welcome to the forum, NRA guy.
When I was 4, it was a big deal to me to read the entire Dr. Seuss dictionary. When I was 14, it was a big deal to me to read the entire Nosler reloading manual. By that time, I had a good start on my gun collection of the time. That collection kinda' went away when I was in the Navy. When I got out, I started again, arriving at 21 different guns, and reloading for 17 calibers. In time, that collection went away too. I wanted to live without guns. Not that I had any liberal cooties or anything, but it always felt to me to be a "dark science" kind of thing.
Well, I soon found that a man can't wander wherever he wants to be without getting shot at.
This time around, almost all of my guns are evil and black. The 10/.22's are my tribute to recreational shooting. The AR is (in some ways) a "payback" for all that my dedicated .223 bolt action varmint rifles were not. Beyond that, it's the culmination of all of my past studies. Let it represent "dark science". It helps me to reconcile my higher mind with the fact that we are all vested in the world, for better and for worse.
The Yugo underfolder AK is just a kick in the pants. It's heavy, but small enough to carry along with my photo gear when I'm out with that stuff. With that thing hanging from a shoulder, I can indeed go anywhere I want to be without fear of being shot at. Not for long, anyway.
As for the Glocks... Well, I'm German, and Austria is close enough. They're the most durable pistol ever devised.
Of course I don't wanna' shoot anyone. I never have, in 54 years. I've thought long and hard about that. I've been in situations where I've been shot at, and watched myself very closely to see how I responded. I remained calm, knowing that my aim could not be interfered with. I've returned fire only twice, and both of those times, the object was to test the other guys' mettle. They ran. I like that. Could I shoot another person? To prevent gross injury or death to myself or another, yes, I could, with focus and deliberation.
By the Grace of God, I hope to meet my own end before it ever comes to that.

 

Exactly, because I can,thats all the reason I need. I live in a state that doesn't require a premit to carry conceled. That always makes gun grabbers head explode,the fact that the goverment doesn't not make me get a cc permit to carry in my own state.

 

1. I am a fan of precision mechanics (old cars, clocks & watches, guns)
2. Shooting makes big noise and stinks. Ideal recreational activity for a man.

 

I shoot targets at a shooting range and am a member of the gun club there. I don't own any firearms yet (my household does though), there's a 3/6/12 month waiting period, so I'm going to have to wait that out - but I am definitely enjoying it just using some of their firearms. Big fan of revolvers - .357 and .44

Unfortunately self defense = manslaughter charge here, but I am training myself with self defense in mind for when I move somewhere less totalitarian. Right now it's mostly just real fun to shoot some powerful guns. There's also the sporting/competition aspect, becoming a better shooter is an end in itself.

I'm looking into reloading/casting, but I'm not entirely sure if it's legal here/what hoops I'll have to jump through. The police have a very poorly designed website that doesn't really help you find out what's legal and what's not. That's the thing I want to move into next. I like old timey hobbies like that.

 

Mostly for personal protection. Handguns are very effective at stopping people who are intent on doing you harm; that's why the police carry them. Hunting is only a secondary consideration, but if you require a sidearm for hunting it would have to be a powerful one: a .357 Magnum or a .44 Mag are the only ones that can take out large game like deer and bears. If the big one hits, you would want something more than handguns but they have Glock magazines with 30+ round clips. That's over 60 rounds if you have two weapons. Also target shooting as a hobby; I own a 9mm Herstal FNP-9 with a 16 round clip, as well as a snub nosed .38. I own one rifle, an OLD 22, single shot that belonged to my dad when he was a kid. When he found out he was dying, he gave my other brothers his 30.06 and two shot guns. But to me, his eldest, I got his prized possession. He taught me to shoot with that rifle. I am licensed to carry, so that if you break into my house, you might not die, but you'll remember me the rest of your life after I blow off your knee cap. That's easier to get away with than shooting to kill.

People own guns because they can. Why do people want big houses or smart cars, new clothes and fancy food...because stuff makes us feel good. Owning a gun is like growing big muscles, it makes the weak feel strong and the strong feel invincible.

 

While I agree with most of your post,you need to do a little research about hunting with a handgun.When you say" a .357 Magnum or a .44 Mag are the only ones that can take out large game like deer and bears". You are showing your lack of knowledge about hunting with a handgun. There are many different calibers used for handgun hunting ,besides the 357mag or a 44 mag. Personally I use a 41mag for hunting ,when using a handgun. Where i live a 357mag can only be used for big game hunting ,if it can be shown that the load used,can produce at least a100 ft lbs of energy at a 100 yards. A 357 mag is on the low end ,when it come to hunting big game. Do a little research you might be surprised to see ,how many different calibers there are,that are used for hunting with a hand gun.

 

here in Indiana, you can only use handguns that range from .357 and larger. Indiana agrees with you that .357 is not the best choice, but allow it anyway. I use a shotgun/slug for large game and .22 or shotgun/game loads for small game.