Why do you need so many guns?

[Fishslayer]

I never get asked. Nobody who would ask that question knows I have any.

And by this forum's standards my accumulation is rather small anyway.

...but I'm workin' on it!

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

I've been asked this question plenty of times, as I'm sure most of you have. I try not to offer a snarky answer, but it's often difficult. ......It's easy to be a wise-acre, but that doesn't serve the purpose of being diplomatic in the face of anti-gun sentiments. What are some of your more cordial responses?

Very TRUE. I find this question to come up frequently from non-gun people because they truly and genuinely do not understand or have been bombarded with perpetual anti-gun influences. As you mentioned, it is important to make a non-snarky response that "potentially" could cause someone to consider another viewpoint and maybe change an opinion. Every one of these exchanges is an opportunity to help change a negative opinion someone may have of gun people because they just don't know any better. This can only help strengthen our cause when every vote counts. I think it's our responsibilty to try and change negative, misinformed and ignorant anti-gun opinions whenever possible.

The question I hear first and most often (from either an anti-gun or indifferent person) when someone learns I am a gun owner is:

A) "How many do you own?" ..........as if there is some pre-conceived magic number in their head that if you reply 2 or less, you're "sensible", but if its more than two, TOTAL WACKO!

and if their bold followed by....

B) Why do you NEED that many?

It saddens me when I get question "A" because they don't even realize that merely asking the question lets me immediately know who I'm dealing with and where they stand on the issue without another word said. It's a "loaded" question to begin with. This person knows NOTHING about guns, yet is going to learn something about ME by knowing the NUMBER of guns I own???? It's a laughable question too... WHAT is that magic number supposed to tell them???

I think an excellent response would be to turn the whole thing around and ask "Well, what is the amount of guns I own going to tell you?" THAT should get them scrambling for SOME coherent answer for which we know they WON'T have one because any conclusions they would derive would BOLDLY REVEAL how misinformed and ignorant their opinions are..

I usually resond with "Less than I want but more than I NEED!" I wish I had a better answer for part "B" though.... The best answer is probably to follow with the question "How many do you think a sensible person needs?"

IC

 

[gunfighter48]

I need them because it's my hobby. I don't do drugs, booze, broads (now that I'm a widower I may have to reconsider, just kidding), or hot rods. I do guns because it's one of the few hobbies I am physically able to do. And I have been shooting guns for the last 52 years. And if they don't like it they can take a long walk of a short dock!!!!!!!!

 

[310Pilot]

Why do I need so many? Why do you need so many shoes? (Yes, I had that conversation quite a few years ago, it got the point across).

Another response, not that it would, necessarily, come up, as I don't generally disclose the extent of my holdings, is that, to me, guns are fine art that I can actually use, as well as admire. There is nothing else made today with the quality and craftsmanship evidenced in a quality firearm, and most reflect truly astonishing melding of the aesthetic and function (Glocks and other tupperware excluded, of course). Many have historical significance, and quite a few are family heirlooms, to be cherished in honor of my ancestors. Not only can I use them for my enjoyment, including the challenge of always trying to shoot more accurately, they are enjoyable as an art form for viewing and comparison. Add to that they, generally, have a much better track record as an investment than most traditional methods, and I can find no better item to collect and enjoy.

 

[quneur]

And by this forum's standards my accumulation is rather small anyway.

...but I'm workin' on it!

I'm in the same boat. A friend's wife did say to me, "Quite an arsenal you got." My response was, "I don't have an arsenal, I only have a few guns."

I don't consider my firearms a collection; I consider them to be only a handful. I guess size is all a matter of perspective.

 

[chief38]

'Cause they make so many different models!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

One evening at church several ago, an evesdroping woman tore into me while talking to a man about a gun question, before I could repond the lady that was my barber at the time, told her to 'Be quiet leave him alone, he's the only man I know that plays with his kids every day!', I was going to tell the soon to devorced nag that, guns kept me in a conition so that I could afford 1 wife!

 

[Stainz]

"How many guns do you have?"
"Well, there is the loaded one in my pocket... wanna see it??"

Seriously, the best answer is no answer - evade answering it. It is no one's concern but your's and your immediate family living under the same roof.

The question I hate most is, "Why do you have so many pocket knives?", but that's another topic. It generally gets a non-answer, too.

Stainz

 

[Thuer]

Simple. They are all different. And I do need more.

 

[blujax01]

"Why do you need so many guns?"

If I have not been in a discussion about guns with this person and the question comes up unsolicited:
"Goodness, that's a rather personal question isn't it? - So how are the grandchildren?"

If we have been discussing guns/2A issues/crime, whatever:

"Well some are ideal for concealing on my person, some are good for home defense, some are for shooting sports and like kittens, some are so damn lovable I just had to give them a home!"

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I never get asked. Nobody who would ask that question knows I have any.

Exactly....

 

[mkk41]

(me to her), "Why do you NEED so many shoes?"

 

[chicagoslim]

What I can't figure out is, why I have so many more holsters, than guns.

I must need more guns.

 

[wbraswell]

i'm just a compulsive buyer, got any you want to sell?

I'm making a trip to Syria next week. It's a sellers market there.

Because I don't have room to collect cars.

 

[jag312]

Why do I own so many guns? I'm on a personal crusade to take them off the streets so the criminals and lunatics don't have them. Would you like to donate to my cause?

 

[LTC]

I like to think my firearms purchases, in some small way, is helping to jump start the economy. A few hundred here and there can't hurt. Right?

LTC

 

[Martimus]

The last time my wife asked me that I answered "For the same reason you need so many purses and pairs of shoes!".

Needless to say I spent the next few nights sleeping on the couch...

 

[jaykellogg]

My wife once complained "You didn't have this gun hobby when we were dating". I replied "Before we were married my hobbies were drinking and chasing women, I figured you would appreciate it If I found something else."

I don't discuss guns with someone I don't know well. I suppose to someone who dislikes guns even owning one is distasteful, they cannot understand why someone would want any at all let alone more than one.

I own 4 houses, 6 automobiles, and about 15-20 pairs of shoes. I suppose you could reasonably ask why I own so many. Some of my guns I have for different protection scenarios, some are for sport shooting, some are left over from when I used to hunt, some just smiled at me.

 

[Art Doc]

Why do I need so many guns? Who is asking? My wife used to ask that all the time but stopped when I pointed out they are all going up in value and she will sell them when I die. Anyone else asks and I just smile.

Truth is that I only need one gun. The personal defensive pistol is the only firearm I absolutely need. All the others fall under the "want" heading.

 

[pilgrim6a]

I used to collect scalps and ears but people can be so squeamish.