The question of "need" as pertains to firearms

Need? One. Have? More!

Umm, I thought that's what we already do.

Am I missing something?

People get defensive when their choices are questioned. It's fairly natural. Most people don't need the things they buy and they know it so they get huffy when someone asks them about it.
It's part of the reason we're in this financial/credit/banking mess.

I hate when people ask why I buy something gun related. I just tell them "I like guns". What else is there? I like guns and shooting and that's that.

All my gun purchases, without exception, are needed.

Ever since I have been alive people always confuse "NEED" with "WANT" there are many things you don't need, like I could get by with about 4 guns, but I want more than that. Semantics. Either that or I come up with a different breed of zombie that only the latest purchase can kill.

I just respond:

"It's a Bill of RIGHTS, not a Bill of needs."

Usually pisses 'em off pretty good.

Ever since I have been alive people always confuse "NEED" with "WANT" there are many things you don't need, like I could get by with about 4 guns, but I want more than that. Semantics.

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Whenever I get deep into it, I'll respond something like this:

Well, you don't really need a cell phone, do you. Do you even really need those designer clothes? Or what about 10 pairs of shoes? Or a 2,000 sq ft home? Or 2+cars? A computer? iPod/MP3 player? TV? Air conditioning? All you really need is shelter, food and clothing.

I get irked when others tell me what I need and don't need. And I get downright irritated when politicians start ramming such decisions down our throats.

And it doesn't seem to be getting any better.

Either that or I come up with a different breed of zombie that only the latest purchase can kill.

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Good one!

Honestly, I've justified a need for most of mine:

S&W K-22 and CZ-452: 22 LR = cheap training
S&W 642: Go anywhere pocket protector
M1911A1: Often my primary when I am able to conceal it. Also serves double duty as my wife's primary HD gun
S&W 686: My nightstand gun
Mossberg 590A: If I have time to get to it, it will be used as my primary HD gun
AR-15: Total meltdown, SHTF gun

The only ones I haven't found a "need" for are my Finnish M39 and my S&W Model 14. Come to think of it, the Model 14 makes a good spare for the 686!

My father, not a gun guy but an antiques collector, and I had this discussion once. He asked why I would need more than a couple guns, lots of mags, etc.

I simply looked at him and asked why he had more than half a dozen silver plate and sterling dinner services and several sets of formal china. He got it

Well, frankly, it's a silly question (the one of "what do you need that for"), so expect some ruffled feathers in your answers. That's the exact perfect response - what's need got to do with anything? Since it's pretty obvious that none of really "needs" more than maybe 1 or 2 guns for self-defense, then the obvious answer to such a silly question is either self-defense, or what's need got to do with it, and you should be able to tell by the gun in question what the answer is, either "self-defense" or "who said anything about need?". In fact, as you say, this is a gun board, so would anyone even ask such an irrelevant question on a GUN BOARD.

Now, having said that, if you or someone were asking the appropriate question, "What do you WANT this gun/ammo for?", then I suspect, 9 times out of 10, you will get the appropriate response, which is a nice, cogent, reasonable answer for the want. No reason to bring up the word NEED. WANT is an entirely separate matter, and a legitimate question, to which people should not be so defensive.

I simply looked at him and asked why he had more than half a dozen silver plate and sterling dinner services and several sets of formal china. He got it

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Good way to approach it, probably better than my way (see above).

Everyone at least one thing that they really enjoy. Some people are into music, so they have thousands of CDs or hours of music downloaded to their MP3s. Maybe they are really into gardening, so they have dozens of specialized tools that the average person doesn't.

I guess it is really hard for people to grasp that some of us love guns and that's why we buy them.

I agree, it is more about WHAT WE ARE INTO!

The majority of us are "into" GUNS, shooting, reloading, hunting, etc.

Remember that guns were what won the west and were what usually put food on the table.

It is kind of hard to look at where we are without looking from where we came!

Some people are into culinary arts, some into stamp collecting, some coins, some antiques, some the latest movies and music. I enjoy reloading, hunting and shooting (in that order).

P.S. Yesterday I heard Jeff Foxworthy on Cirrus radio and it absolutely cracked me up - something like this:

If men tell you they don't like to shop, it's a lie. We just don't like to shop at malls like women do. But if you ever take a man to a gun and boat show, you will never get him out of there. My wife asked me why I was buying that gun. I said "it's a weasal gun". My wife said "but I thought you already had a weasal gun." "Honey, the one I have is a SHORT-range weasal gun. This here's a LONG-range weasal gun!".

I was rollin....

Hmmm... I've wanted quite a few firearms, but I've never needed any of them. Thank God!
But I want a firearm in case I ever need it.

The question of "need" as it pertains to firearms is if you need a firearm it's because you don't already have one.

Don't be needy.

Woody

Q: Why do you need a rifle like that?

A: I don't.

misANTHrope said:

Q: Why do you need a rifle like that?

A: I don't.

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Haha

I'm Compensating

Well, I have to do something!

My wife has more shoes than I do, and I already have enough tools in the garage!

So, hey, I figure I'll make do with a gun.

I mean, I would get another classic car, but it would cost too much, and I don't have anywhere to put it.

Which reminds me, I gotta ask my daughter what the heck she needs with all those music CDs she has.

I usually ask what they would define as a need, so that we can establish a common definition on which to base our arguments. That usually signals the end of the conversation.

I think all too often the question is a sort of veiled insult to the owner and/or gun. The response will sometimes be along the same lines.

This is a forum of enthusiasts and I think most of us are long past the guns we need.

When you ask the question of a purchase "why do you need that" you are automatically making the assumption that purchases are based on need. A much more neutral question would be "why did you buy that, if I may ask?" Then if the person brings up need, go from there. You put people on the defensive when you presume that their purchases have to be based on need.

...And another thing to consider...

The doctors won't let me fly anymore and I suck at golf.

Woody

i get asked this all of the time.

i recommend the same thing as some a of the other dudes on this thread. find out what they collect/enjoy/drive and flip it around.

why do you need a $50k car? why do you need a 72 inch tv? a $5k watch? $250 jeans? i could go on and on.

i think most gun owners have one or two guns out of need and anything else is just an expensive range toy.

bottomline: flip the script, most people shut up after that.

Well, frankly, it's a silly question (the one of "what do you need that for")

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This, almost. I think "What do you need that for" is an aggressive question, bordering on rude. It implies "I wouldn't buy that, therefore it's an unwise <cough stupid cough> purchase."

Usually when asked to justify a decision that I have made to purchase something, I respond with "How much do you make?"
I'll almost always be told "That's really none of your business". Then I just lock eyeballs and smile until they get it.