Primary reason for owning a gun.

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Since we seem to have a pretty diverse group of folks here, I thougth I'd put up a little poll to get an idea of the demographics of the various gun owners here.

So, the question is, what is the primary reason that you own guns. I know that many will have more than one reason, but I'm curious about the primary reason.

The poll is set to anonymous.

 

[romma]

To stop the threat!

If there is one that is....

 

[Hoppy590]

psst... theres no poll.

i own guns because they are tools. and sure, like a torque wrench you may only ever really need it once in a blue moon. but youl be damn glad you have it then.

 

[Bula]

To shoot them. A lot.

 

[theleveloftime]

a statement

I own arms and I am free
when I can't own arms I will know I have become a slave
that ain't gonna happen

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

psst... theres no poll.

When you create a poll, you have to make a post first, then you get you create the poll second. This is why you see poll posts initially show up with no poll. Even cutting and pasting pre-typed options in takes a little time.

 

[Nio]

The question is somewhat flawed, and akin to asking, "What is your primary reason for owning a car?" The primary reason I own a car is to transport myself and things, not because I have a primary destination.

I have a gun to throw lead slugs at 1000 FPS. It's just a tool with a specific function. I may use that function in a variety of contexts, but the primary reason I own it is because I can't throw lead slugs that fast by hand.

Nio

 

[Kali Endgame]

I vote H, all of the above.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

The question is somewhat flawed, and akin to asking, "What is your primary reason for owning a car?" The primary reason I own a car is to transport myself and things, not because I have a primary destination.

OK, what is the primary reason you want the ability throw lead slugs at 1000 FPS?

If you wanted to make a vehicle analogy, one could ask if you used a vehicle primarly to commute, to haul large materials, for recreation, or for show.

 

[hexidismal]

I honestly can't answer this. I own varied guns, each with it's own purpose. I'm not making a copout here, I do understand what you're getting at, but it doesn't apply. My primary reason for owning say.. a Mossberg 590 is defense. My primary reason for owning a target .22 is recreation.

 

[DMK]

My primary reason for owning guns in general is for Self Defense, even though most of my guns are only useful for target shooting IMO. If I could only have one gun, it would be my 1911 CCW because I could use it for self defense at home or out and at the same time use it for target shooting. If you can count carrying a handgun around all day as 'use', my CCWs are used the most out of my collection, although I tend to shoot rifles more.

 

[cambeul41]

I voted for self-defense, but that is more of an excuse than anything.

 

[DMK]

The question is somewhat flawed, and akin to asking, "What is your primary reason for owning a car?"

Not necessarily. It distills it down to a "most important" point.

For example, my primary reason for owning a car is to get back and forth to work. Without transportation to my job, I can't pay my bills, won't have a roof over my head and would starve. Public transportation is non-existent where I live. Sure I use the car to go to the store and buy things (like food), or to go out and socialize but I couldn't do any of those things if I couldn't get to work every day and earn my living, so getting to work is primary. Everything else ranks as secondary, tertiary, etc. Now someone else might be able to take a bus to work or live close enough to walk, so their priorities could be different.

 

[Feanaro]

It's hard to pick any one reason. Self defense, target shooting, tactical matches, national defense, to tick off people who don't want me to own firearms... So I just picked what I use mine for the most, which is recreation.

 

[CountGlockula]

I do both: HD and recreation-competition.

Originally started as an HD, but found out I can't really shoot it at home for practice.
So I'll go with the first intent.

 

[eliphalet]

Hunting or plinking/target shooting and self defense in a that order. # 1 is probably cause I like em a lot.

 

[Soybomb]

Self-defense (CCW or Home-defense)
Disaster Preparation (Short term SHTF or TEOTWAWKI)
Defense against tyranny by a government

To me these are all pretty much the same, self defense.

 

[geekWithA.45]

You forget the best reason:

"If I didn't have this gun, the King of England could just walk in here anytime he wants and start shoving you around."

Homer Simpson

 

[Sistema1927]

All of the above.

 

[Im283]

I voted recreation. Defnse may play in but more than likely not.

I simply get off on the noise and recoil. That and guns are cool to have.
(probably get blasted for that comment)

I have more than a few and the main reason is noise and more noise.

 

[Sheldon J]

This poll is not valid, there is no "All the Above" and it is Gun's not gun!

 

[SaMx]

all of the above.
except for hunting.

I actually broke it down to 70% recreation, 20% disaster preparedness, and 10% national defense/defense against tyranny.
personal defense isn't on the list because I'm a college student and we aren't allowed to have defensive weapons when we live on campus.

 

[never_retreat]

We need more check boxes.
These come to mind.
All the above
Because I can
Because the 2nd amendment says I have to
Immigration reform
Protection from politicians
I'm sure there is more.

 

[retrieverman]

I am a hunter first and foremost.

 

[MEH]

1: Self-defense (CCW or Home-defense)
2: Disaster Preparation (Short term SHTF or TEOTWAWKI)
3: Defense against tyranny by a government
4: National defense (a rifle behind every blade of grass)
5: Recreation (clays, competition, plinking, target shooting)
6: Hunting (Varmints, big/small/upland game, etc.)
7: Collecting (includes reenactors)

All of the above, but I haven't tried hunting yet.