I have friends, we own guns. They own far less than I, I share, they share what they buy. Being the one with the most amount, I often get asked (most often the same guy) why I need to buy a Snub nose revolver and a 6" and a 3"?

I answer, I don't know, I just want it. It's the truth. I'm not a gun collector as I like to shoot my guns and I don't need antiques, I guess gun enthusiast is the proper term. Just want to know what you all say to your friends?

I will not say, "none of your business" because we are friends and well I would find it quite rude. Ironically, I remember when I didn't own guns, I asked the same of another guy and he also did the same as me. Shrugged his shoulders and said, "why not" or "I don't know".

Same reason I own more than one jacket/coat......

Winter Spring Summer or Fall............. all you got to do is call...... I'll be there...........


Why do I own a Registered Magnum....... because it was in a LGS on consignment for $325..........would I have bought it for $3000 .....nope!!!!

Lots of good reasons................

My friends that own guns NEVER ask such questions

If they did, my answer is "Because this is AMERICA and NEED has nothing to do with anything"

Who needs a Rolex? or a Porsche? Or more than one car? or a pair of Air Jordans? or those 100 Barbies that are NRFB? or a bed full of Beanie Babies? or those Baseball cards? Etc.

NEED has nothing to do with it

Because 'Murica.

Those who would ask such a question do not know anything about my gun status.

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- The Federalist #46 -

"What's your problem? You jealous of my new gun?"

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Science plus Art

This is the ultimate answer and I think, the proper question in response is "Why should I have to justify this discretionary purchase any more than if I had bought another golf club, fishing rod or Precious Moments figurine?"

Mind you, "why did you buy that gun" it is a question I sometimes ask myself, usually in the context of whether the purchase was timely and within my own budget...and almost always after the fact.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

I guess I'd have trouble with someone who called himself a friend and asked me a question like that. I don't ask my friends why the need or buy things. That seems rude to me.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

One might think it odd that the question of "why do you need a gun" or "why did you buy that gun" seems an acceptable inquiry in polite conversation yet it is a faux pas to ask one such a question about an item of jewelry, or a new car, or a new item of clothing, or even with respect to far more sensitive subject, such as "Why did marry someone of <fill in the blank> ethnicity?"

I think certain gun questions are rude, at least in the sense that they are predicating on the owner being expected to provide a justification of possession. Yet most others not seeing these questions as rude is evidence that the inculcation of the subtle hostility against gun ownership is effective.

So what concerns me about these questions is not the individual person asking the question, but why so many people to begin with think such questions are acceptable.

I like all kinds.

I might ask a friend that…if I was trying to talk them into selling one to me!

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Tony

Good points. I don't find it rude, just irritating that I have to justify it. But I know I question my friends purchases for things I think are stupid.

Not that it's any of your biz, I don't have to explain it to you or anyone else, because I felt like it. That's why.

I own the most of any of my shooting friends too. Because I wanted it and I like it. The only friend that shoots that asks me that is because he's from Illinois and doesn't quite understand how freedom works yet.

This is the kind of question usually asked by someone who is jealous of your collection. Most of the time I just ignore them.

I have asked myself that question. "Why did I buy that one? I already have similar guns and only two hands." The answer is always the same, because I wanted it at the time. Sometimes I'll sell off these questionable purchases, but most times not.

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Freedom isn't free.

Much of it may be in the tone, too. If it's a good friend and they already know you have a lot of guns and are chuckling at your latest impulse buy, that's one thing.

But it rubs me the wrong way when it is someone that really thinks you need a reason to own a gun, or thinks that owning "too many" guns is something shameful and abnormal.

Speaking of which, why the heck did you buy that gun?

I don't feel compelled to answer questions like that.

My wife is hard of hearing and it's the only way to get her attention.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

My friends don't ask. They're all gun owners. I won't have friends that don't own guns.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

I can't honestly recall anyone asking me that question. Most of my small circle carry, and those who don't aren't interested. As others have pointed out, a rebuttal would be "Why do you own an, (Omega Seamaster, Cadillac CTS, Bayliner boat)? Their answer would likely be "Because I want it." That would be mine as well.

I was born and raised in Texas, still live here. I guess you have to be from somewhere else to ask or hear such a question. The closest thing I can think of is when I wonder who'll get what in my Will.

People that I consider friend material, already know the answer to that question.

The only person that asks me that question is the wife of one of my buddies, who also fancies himself a gun collector. My answer is simple - "Because I didn't already have one of those".

Hmm. I remember asking a guy who had 10 guns why he had that many. I'm sure it came off in the wrong tone, but it wasn't meant that way. I was curious, to a person who doesn't have this hobby they just don't understand. It's kinda like when people ask why you need a gun. It's mostly out of ignorance and not meant to be offensive.

I can't imagine any of my friends asking me that unless I bought some very strange, specialized gun that seemed to have no application in my area. We shoot a lot and my guns stay dirty.

If someone asks me why I carry a pistol in a snide way I usually say "What if I needed to kill someone and I didn't have a gun? Then I would have to beat them to death." They usually shut up.

I have a friend who asks that. He owns guns but he's far more practical about it than me. Can only hunt with one gun, can only hold 2 guns at a time or one rifle...why do you need more? It's just his way of thinking and I don't find it rude or offensive. I just say I wanted to try something different.

My favorite answer is, "Well, I don't need it right now, but I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it."

Larry

the only question my friends ask is "what gun are you carrying today."

I don't talk about guns with most of my friends. They don't know I carry, and few know I even have guns. They just aren't interested in them.

The few friends that also are interested in guns have more than I do and probably wonder why I don't buy more.

If any of them fish, ask them why they "need" all those different rods, reels, lures, etc. That will drive the point home, I think. That same response can be applied to cars, neck ties, shoes, etc., etc. You could patiently explain that guns are lawfully used for many different purposes, and no one model or caliber fits all needs. Or, you could just say, "because I want to," and leave it at that.

Remember what Mark Twain said: "Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."

I dont understand why so many are aggresive toward this question. It is simply out of curiosity or ignorance that drives the question. Its like asking a damn woman why she needs all those shoes. Makes absolutely no sense and we will never understand.

Oh...this question pops up once in great while. It seems to come from some folks that have a tremendous fear of guns and those who disrespect those who have one. Another opposition I face at times is from those who know I have more than one, or find out I have many...these are few instances. By the way...I love the looks of revolvers. The search for that cool good looking revolver is better than shooting them.

My answer is always polite (Mom wouldn't have it any other way)
I say to them, "I've considered selling some, would you be interested, I'll make you a good deal. See, I have my eye on some real beauties at the LGS." That sometimes elevates the conversation to their real opposition to citizens owning firearms.

But usually I tell them, "when all hell breaks loose and you and your family see yourselves in a dangerous disadvantage, protecting the family with the kitchen broom, you might remind yourselves of this conversation."

I've also had those who were perfectly uninterested in firearms and somewhat afraid of them, do a complete turnaround after being properly introduced to their fears and misconception at the range. That's pretty cool too.

Hmm. Any people who were against guns or afraid in my experiences have mostly stayed silent. Ive never had to engage in a debate with them.

I can only recall being asked that question once. By my wife. (ex now).
Guess I didnt give a good enough answer. I really cant recall my answer but , Im happy. Still have that gun.
Jim

WOW! Someone with the same thing I went through.
X is gone long ago, present wife is more understanding as "What gun do you want for Christmas/Birthday, etc...

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

You may have answered your own question...

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

My wife ask that question once I answered I don't need it I wanted it. Being the good old gal that she is her reply was oh OK. Her coin collection may have increased considerably after that but I don't ask. I still have the gun and next month will 48 years with the same wife.

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Old Age Ain't For Sissies

My mother asked me that a few years ago. I just replied:

"How many pairs of shoes do you have? Why don't you have just one pair?"

The wife of a deceased friend gave me a 12ga. O/U that he found hidden in the wall of his house. I suspect that I wouldn't do too well in a service rifle match using it, nor would it work out all that well for concealed carry.

You don't eat peas with a knife, hammer nails with a screwdriver or hunt doves with a .416 Rigby.

Every time I want a new gun, my wife asks me that question, but so far, my friends haven't said anything.

Because Cops are too heavy to carry around.

Being the poorest of my group of friends & the one with the most/best guns, I was often asked such ?'s, mostly they were honest & good natured ?'s & generally I'd respond with something like, I guess I have different wants/needs/ priorities than you & would rather scrimp & save for a gun than waste my $ at a bar, restaurant, clothes with nothing to show for my $ later.

Cause! I can resist anything but temptation.

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U.S. Navy - U.S. Army, ret

In my experience there are two types of people that may ask that question and you can tell right away why they ask. One is the type of person that's genuinely interested and may be a gun enthusiast as well. The other just wants to ignite an argument about gun control. As a gun enthusiast, I like to see what others have and I'm proud of my collection. When I meet someone who does not share my opinions I just find it's easier to shut up and try to change the conversation. My sisters are those types of people and I've told them they should move to Australia.

Heck, I know people who have four or five kids.

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

This is an insightful post. However, I really do believe there is a third person; jealous.

There is a guy at our gun club who asks this kind of question all the time. He's a gun enthusiast, but he's retired on a fixed income that isn't all that big. He constantly says, "Those expensive guns break a lot more often than the inexpensive ones." This is simply not true. In fact, we see more cheap guns fail, but if one expensive one has an issue, he focuses on that because it makes him feel better about the gun he has. He is jealous of them.

So, the question is asked not because they really want to know, but because they can't afford or justify it in their mind, but they really want to.

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Freedom isn't free.

Not as rude as them asking in the first place.

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Pisgah

You can always answer this kind of question with another question or series of questions...

Do you really NEED a fire extinguisher?
Do you really NEED a car/home alarm system?
Do you really NEED seat belts?
Do you really NEED home/car/life insurance?
Do you really NEED a backup camera on your car?
Do you really NEED a cell phone?
Do you really NEED a GPS?
Do you really NEED a pocket flashlight?
Do you really NEED to carry a good knife?

What I really NEED is peace of mind, and the things above (and a gun of my choice) help to meet that NEED.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I just look at them funny

Lots O guns. You think you have enough until the zombies come.

The most mad & angry I ever made my best friend was when he really wanted an AR type 223 semi auto & back in my not so bright youth felt that if a gun wasn't well suited for hunting, it had no real value (I've outgrown it). Well I off the cuff said "why do you want an assault rifle?" The horrified look on his wife's face said it all and if his looks could have killed, I'd be dead. He eventually got one 15 years or so later. As for sharing guns, I kind of see it like going in with a bud on a boat, it rarely ends well. With a friend like you & a guy like him, why should he ever buy a gun again? Then there's the who gets to clean it, & what happens when the first scratch or worse happens. People that return borrowed items promptly & in as good or better condition than when they borrowed them are few & far between IMO. It might be tough love time. You can shoot it in my presence & MAYBE borrow it if you catch me in a good mood, but don't expect me to say yes, if you like it start saving your $ for one of your own.