Is your reason for owning guns evolving?

[Bigdog57]

Up to five years ago, I had no interest in hunting. My only 'hunting' rifles were a Marlin 336 and a Savage 340 boltie, both in .30-30.

Now I have become much more involved in hunting, and have a few hunting rifles in various calibers.
I finally pretty much stopped buying rimfire guns, as the prices are much higher even for old crusty examples. And the ammo is scarcer so I don't shoot them as often.
Scaled back my milsurps too. Prices for what I wanted but don't yet have are just too high.
I have gotten heavily into air guns, so the powder burners are getting less range time.

Yeah, my habits and interests have changed and evolved over time.

 

[preachnhunt]

Yes. I started with a .22 my parents gave me for plinking. My dad was not a hunter so I did not hunt until I was in college. All of my guns after that were mainly for hunting different kinds of game.In the last ten or so years I have gotten much more interested in ccw and have learned to shoot pistols. Where I differ from many on this forum is that while I live in the country and have my own pistol and rifle ranges I don't really shoot a lot. I shoot mostly to gain and maintain proficiency, but about 30 minutes or so and I'm done.

 

[Lycidas Janwor]

I got into guns rather late in my life, within the last 5-6 years. We had rifles sitting in a gun cabinet when I was growing up but my parents never shot them. They were rifles my grandfather owned and we just kind of had them on display. I ended up inheriting only three of the pretty extensive collection of guns my grandfather owned, and that is because I did not express interest in these firearms and my mother sold the majority of them off. This, of course, hurts. I regret this very much, and I think my mom regrets it too because I'm now very much a gun enthusiast.

Growing up, my father was a car guy. He loved cars and particularly German cars. He raced them, he collected them, he sold them. This love rubbed off on my brother who is also a German car nut. I too love cars but my first car was a '66 Mustang GT, not a German car. Anyhow, over the years interest in cars has turned to guns. The more guns I have, the more guns I want. I also like shooting my guns and tinkering with my Glock and AR as they are kind of like a Jeep or an American 4x4 pickup. So many after market things you can do to these guns to make them fun and personal.

It's my Constitutional right to own these guns and it's not because I like to hunt that I own them. I own them because I do not trust the Feds, period. I see the direction this country is going and it concerns me. I grew up in the 80's and the difference between Washington DC and all its tentacles now compared to then is truly frightening. The IRS scandal and the Justice Department scandals should give everyone pause. The fact that Obama is using the military as a social experiment scares the hell out of me (removing don't ask, don't tell, a system that worked just fine).

Anyhow, If I want to enjoy fast German sports cars, me and my Glock will go riding along with my brother in his super fast car

 

[Saddlebag Preacher]

Great answers and stories. The reason I had asked was it seemed, as in other issues, a lot of people are in different mind sets, such as "I only own guns to hunt", or "I only own for SD." I was interested in how many had stories like many of you where through time the reason for owning were changing or even adding to the uses of you guns.

I like the "because I can." answer. I think I'll use it on some friends.

 

[sappyg]

Is your reason for owning gun evolving?

Um... No. I just have more of them but the reason is the same.

I really enjoy shooting them.
I told my optometrist that I shoot and he asked 'what do you shoot'?
My response.... 'Anything I can get my hands on'

It is a hobby and a social event. I own guns that I didn't like or care for after the first go around but, as time has passed, they have become favorites now. If anything I've learned more about what suites me best.

 

[OilyPablo]

No. Because I can has not changed for 40+ years.

 

[Agsalaska]

First, I think saying you own them because its your constitutional right to own them is just silly. I know its a good ra ra for everyone. But that's like saying you typed on this board because its your constitutional right to. It just seems funny. Of course its your right.

That being said, my reasons have changed quite dramatically since buying my first shotgun at 19. I grew up shooting 22s and 410s around the relative's farm and did a little hunting. But my first gun was a 1300 defender 12 gauge for self defense. My second was a Beretta Tomcat 25acp. The first several guns I bought were for a purpose, mostly around self defense. I was living in inner city Houston and working in a tough industry surrounded by a lot of cash.

I then, in my mid twenties, got back into hunting. I married a country girl and also developed close relationships with some of my own country cousins. So the next round of guns were to shoot animals.

Now, I will probably never again by a gun for either purpose. I have settled on my guns for self defense and my hunting rifles. Yet I buy guns all of the time. I buy more today than I ever have, mostly just for the pleasure of owning them. Most of them I dont even shoot. I have a certain niche that I am always filling that usually involves a bolt, a cylander, a lever, or maybe a falling block. I enjoy owning them.

Thats really where I am today in my late 30s and will probably buy them for that purpose for the rest of my life. It is possible I will buy a custom deer rifle this year and had a thread about it over on the rifle board to use for hunting. But everything else is just the pleasure of owning them, even if I never shoot them.

 

[wannabeagunsmith]

Although really for me it has always boiled down to the "cool" factor My parents were initially anti gun to a degree so it wasn't until boy scouts when I was 8 shooting BB guns the passion grew immensely. Didn't touch a gun again until I was maybe 13 I was at a friends house and his dad showed me his S&W .40 semiautomatic. At this point I didn't know jack about guns still and even though he had unloaded it I still thought it would go off if I pulled the trigger or at least make loud noise !! A year later my mom signed my sister up for intro marksmanship with an NRA shooting team. The classes lasted a day but I was done and after that my dad bought 2 guns with the persuasion of a friend (I think watching my sister and I shoot got him over his fear pretty quick), I joined this site and I have now in a short time shot almost every major caliber there is. I think guns are cool and that'll never change!

 

[Field Tester]

I'd say yes. My first experience with firearms was at 16 and then again at 18. Only shot those two times.
Purchased my 1911 at 21. Mostly for the fun factor and home defense.
I purchased my first rifle (.22lr) 4 years ago.

Since my first encounter my feelings on firearms have changed and grown.
I'm now open to hunting (just need a mentor). In anticipation of this I purchased my first Centerfire rifle last year.
I also am hopeful for concealed carry, which was a pipe dream up until last year (the 9th circuit showing a moment of clarity). Before CC was a far off thought and now it's looking like a very real possibility.

At 21 I saw no use for .22 or blackpowder. At 31 I now own 3 Rimfires and hope to own a BP very soon.

At 21 I had no qualms with extensive background checks, mental evaluation, government intrusion etc... In fact I followed anything any government official said without question and looked down on those that did as trouble makers.
At 31 I feel Constitutional Carry is perhaps the only Liberty minded way for those who want to CC.
I now see why it is not only a good thing to question those in power, but I even find it necessary to be often skeptical in order to ensure a healthy relationship with my government.

So yes, I think my feelings towards firearms have not only changed, but grown rather vastly from where I was 10 years ago.
There's many more examples I could give but I feel this gives you a good enough idea as to how I have grown. Not to mention I've never believed I could express myself very well in the written form and would be able to be more concise with my thoughts on the matter with a conversation in person.
Plus writing all of this on my phone is extremely bothersome, takes a great deal of time and is often full of missed thoughts and grammatical errors.

Hope this helps.

 

[ku4hx]

Only to the extent that since our kids are up and gone (out of college and working their own jobs) we can buy all manner of more and better toys ... including, but not limited to, guns

 

[Johnny_B_Goode]

Every gun I buy has a purpose. I see guns as tools. I buy a gun to do a specific job.

 

[thewillweeks]

I definitely have to agree with this. I grew up hunting, .22's and shotguns only. When a brother in law came to the family, so did deer hunting and bolt action deer rifles. Then, my brother became a LEO and things shifted. My first firearm was bought as a defensive and hunting piece, a shotgun with two barrel's. My next one also played double duty, a SKS. But my Colt AR was bought expressly for defensive work.

 

[MEHavey]

"It's my right" will get you absolutely nowhere. It's dead horse on arrival.
...and "hunting, target shooting & self-defense" is greased pig going downhill
at the very slightest tilt.

"To Preserve The People" within a free state and against tyranny is -- and remains -- the root basis.

.

 

[OilyPablo]

OK if I have to choose the answer that pleases some of you (wow guys!)......

I can but my REAL reason:

Stress Reduction. Working on guns, target shooting, cleaning - all take me away. I have a super stressful real job and own two businesses. My small amount of time for guns is enjoyable and relaxing.

I have my 2014 state tax almost already done. I'm heading to the GUN SHOW.

But I still own guns BECAUSE I CAN!!!

 

[Reloadron]

Only to the extent that since our kids are up and gone (out of college and working their own jobs) we can buy all manner of more and better toys ... including, but not limited to, guns

Ain't life grand when we reach that point.

By the way your license expires August of this year.

73's
Ron

 

[JRWhit]

I must say that while my excuses have evolved my reason has not.
My reason has always been more focused on the pure enjoyment and the challenge of holding a short pipe perfectly aligned toward a small spec at a substantial distance long enough to squeeze a trigger and make a little projectile hit that spec.
I also suppose it allows me to take part in a deep history of a piece of steel that shaped nearly every attribute of the first of it's kind world I was born into. All made possible with a properly arranged piece of steel.


I try not to get caught up in the anti anything. Over time I've started realizing that nearly every active anti I've encountered cared little for the subject they projected and actually knew very little about it, but where more desperate to have a cause to attach themselves to in order to bolster their own self importance. People like that eventual self implode, just like Piers Morgan. I'll just keep enjoying my sport and find some new excuses to expand.

 

[wendellgj]

Because of my love of freedom I am watching at least a dozen or more young men and women hunt, fish, reload, build, teach children, and enjoy the love of living on or off the grid who were not 10 years ago. None of these folks were reloading and most not hunting. Non were archery hunting. I planted a spark that has ignited into a raging forest fire! I never forced it either and it evolved over a period of time and has spread over 1,200 miles so far. Actually has deep roots in Iraq and Afghanistan which is a bit farther for a different hunt. My obsession with just about every aspect of firearms, reloading, and related activity's brought about the blessing I enjoy today. I have a final resting place to render some of my equipment now days when I decide I've had enough. I always tell people practice (use) your rights or lose them. It seemed every caliber of firearm had an optimum cartridge. Therefore I enjoy searching for the firearm, (usually used) then the component's and dies. At this point reload, chronograph loads until I am satisfied. Normally go hunting with the firearm and use again, never use again. I have done this for years and many are waiting for reload development. I also cast bullets and enjoy primitive weapon Black Powder which have now taken hold in my group of Learners. By the way all these folks come from all walks and carry all types of responsibility on their backs.

 

[Manny]

I went from being an absolute newbie, know nothing wanna-be hunter with an insatiable curiosity to an old fart not too interested in hunting but with a huge interest in shooting in general with a strong leaning towards casual target and defensive use.

I don't regard my owning guns as merely a right anymore but view it more like a duty. To have the means and ability to fend for me & mine and my community in general. Hunting is nice but at the bottom of my list for why I own guns.

 

[huntsman]

The ability to protect and feed one's self, two edges of the same sword. That's what a my firearms are, deliverance from fear and hunger.

 

[ACP]

My reasons have not evolved since I first got my carry permit 20 years ago.

 

[Standin]

Fear, fun, and family...and lasty Zoomieeees

 

[ojh]

My reason for owning guns certainly has evolved during years.

First it was recreational target shooting.
Then more or less serious target shooting.
After that, hunting.
And nowadays also collecting.

 

[PistolPete45]

I guess I am the exception Bought my first gun as a youngster SD and just fun A Ruger Security Six .357 started reloading within a few months . got married and the shooting went to next to nothing for years .. then Bought a Pocket pistol & shot gun SD again . moved up to military stuff ..M1 carbine Mosin AK Now that I am an old fart with time I have, hunting target, competition ,and more then a few fun to plink guns.
Reloading for most of what I own ...

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Yup... Of course, it's over more than 4 decades so - why wouldn't it.

"Is your reason for owning guns evolving?"


In the start (70's) it was target and hunting only.

Later:
Specific piece collection just 'cause I wanted one.
Investment - worked out well so far.
PD/HD.

Signs of the evolution - I currently own firearms I never thought I'd have and have had firearms that I would never again seek out.

Todd.

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

Is your reason for owning guns evolving?

My reason for owning guns has evolved into reasons. I just wish I had listened to Dave Ramsey years ago. My finances would have kept up with my reasons!

Woody