mdf9183
US Veteran
I was told there would be cake.
How many guns do you own?
- Thread starter 1Shelby4guns
- Start date
It's a touchy subject... I won't put a number on mine, but I will talk about several fellow collectors who have passed away.
I became friends with a longtime member of Michigan Antique Arms about 30 years ago. Alan took me under his wing and advised me on Winchester lever guns I was thinking about buying. He had multiple rifles published in George Madis' books, was in his 70's at the time and his opinions and knowledge was a great asset to me.
I had Al and his wife over for dinner one evening and I was showing him my collection. His wife came in the room, looked at my guns and told me I have a nice little collection.
Little???
I thought I had quite a few, until she mentioned that Al had over 300 guns when they got married!
Another friend and fellow gun club member (Bud) passed away several years ago. I assisted the executors after his wife went into a care facility and purchased a number of items from the estate. He and his wife had no children, but he did have 428 guns in the house, about 17 vintage tractors stored in several places, hunting property up north and a huge motorhome. He also had an incredible amount of ammo in his shop and storage barn. I have no idea the quantity, but I helped move 14 pick-up truck loads and that was maybe half of it.
I became friends with a longtime member of Michigan Antique Arms about 30 years ago. Alan took me under his wing and advised me on Winchester lever guns I was thinking about buying. He had multiple rifles published in George Madis' books, was in his 70's at the time and his opinions and knowledge was a great asset to me.
I had Al and his wife over for dinner one evening and I was showing him my collection. His wife came in the room, looked at my guns and told me I have a nice little collection.
Little???
I thought I had quite a few, until she mentioned that Al had over 300 guns when they got married!
Another friend and fellow gun club member (Bud) passed away several years ago. I assisted the executors after his wife went into a care facility and purchased a number of items from the estate. He and his wife had no children, but he did have 428 guns in the house, about 17 vintage tractors stored in several places, hunting property up north and a huge motorhome. He also had an incredible amount of ammo in his shop and storage barn. I have no idea the quantity, but I helped move 14 pick-up truck loads and that was maybe half of it.
The OP deleted his post and so I’m guessing the question was something to the effect as to how many guns do you own, should you own, does the average person own, etc.?
As far as individuals go, what I own is personal information.
As far as generalizations go, we can do some math.
There are estimated to be 393 million firearms in America.
The U S population is currently at 341.8 million individuals.
But, adults own firearms, with few exceptions. The population of adults in this country is 258.3 million.
In 2023, there were 131.43 million households in America.
44% of households have at least one firearm.
Statistics lie, and that number is likely greater, as I’m sure there are individuals who own firearms who won’t admit to it.
Now, the statistics.
About 1.15 firearms per American.
A bit over 1 1/2 firearms per individual.
Almost exactly 3 firearms per household.
But, since only 44% of households have firearms, those households owning firearms average a little over 6 3/4 each.
These are means. I think the median would be more important. I should think if you do base it upon households, inclusive of whether or not they claim to have a firearm or not, that number would be 1. I would be very surprised if that number was even 2. Firearms enthusiasts and collectors are an extreme minority in this country, and they push the averages up significantly.
And this is how the media twists things about the prevalence of firearms in America. And, if I had to guess, the vast majority of crimes committed with a firearm in this country are committed by individuals who own one, or at most, 2 firearms.
As far as individuals go, what I own is personal information.
As far as generalizations go, we can do some math.
There are estimated to be 393 million firearms in America.
The U S population is currently at 341.8 million individuals.
But, adults own firearms, with few exceptions. The population of adults in this country is 258.3 million.
In 2023, there were 131.43 million households in America.
44% of households have at least one firearm.
Statistics lie, and that number is likely greater, as I’m sure there are individuals who own firearms who won’t admit to it.
Now, the statistics.
About 1.15 firearms per American.
A bit over 1 1/2 firearms per individual.
Almost exactly 3 firearms per household.
But, since only 44% of households have firearms, those households owning firearms average a little over 6 3/4 each.
These are means. I think the median would be more important. I should think if you do base it upon households, inclusive of whether or not they claim to have a firearm or not, that number would be 1. I would be very surprised if that number was even 2. Firearms enthusiasts and collectors are an extreme minority in this country, and they push the averages up significantly.
And this is how the media twists things about the prevalence of firearms in America. And, if I had to guess, the vast majority of crimes committed with a firearm in this country are committed by individuals who own one, or at most, 2 firearms.
If I had anything on the (original) subject worth posting, I would save it for the next time this subject comes up.
Since I don't, I'll post it now.
Since I don't, I'll post it now.
I restored his post.
crstrode
Member
Nunya.
Mindya.
Biz, that is.
Mindya.
Biz, that is.
Shelby, if you're asking if you have too many, I'd say you have a nice start.
Seriously, as long as you are paying your bills and putting food on the table, who cares how many? Does anyone ask if they have too many baseball cards? Or Beanie Babies or Rembrandts or signed first editions? It's your collection. You get to decide how big it should be.
Seriously, as long as you are paying your bills and putting food on the table, who cares how many? Does anyone ask if they have too many baseball cards? Or Beanie Babies or Rembrandts or signed first editions? It's your collection. You get to decide how big it should be.Shelby, if you're asking if you have too many, I'd say you have a nice start.
I don't know, my wife seems to think my 40 sewing machines is too many.
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Numbers don't matter as long as we don't have to hear the timeworn, overused phrase "boating accident".
otis24
Member
Age 59.5. Our stories are the same. Bought, sold and traded a lot over the years. Most of those years I owned one handgun at a time (along with maybe a shotgun and a rifle). Over the past 7 or 8 years I’ve traded a lot. Now. I’ve tried to maintain a collection of 3; a small, a medium and a large. Each with its own purpose. The Ruger LCP Max for pocket carry/church. A CZ 2075 RaMi for general concealed carry, and a 1976 Hi Power for home defense/zombie apocalypse!
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cd228
Member
is 1Shelby4guns a ratio? Because by that logic the OP should have 13.75 Shelby's to go with his 55 guns.
Based on the math done above (great work mrcvs), I'd wager the majority of the folks here own more than the calculated average per household.
Based on the math done above (great work mrcvs), I'd wager the majority of the folks here own more than the calculated average per household.
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In 1992 the head of the Montana Weapons Collectors did a State wide survey. As expected, not all households in MT owned weapons, around 70%. The number of weapons in each gun owning household was 27. I have done my best to keep that number up. I just turned 70 and my eyes are not letting me shoot well enough to hunt as I have in the past. after selling some off, I still am well above average, even if you only count contender and encore frames not barrels.
I have a few…
Did I fire 6 times or only 5...
Hardly any. Not enough for anybody to worry about. Not that I would say so if it was otherwise. In fact I might outright lie about it.
This reminds me of something a friend and well respected member here (kwill1911) (Kevin Williams) told me a long time ago , asking a man how many guns he owns is like asking a Texas cattleman how many head of cattle he owns. It’s considered impolite and in poor taste.
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