Why do you own a gun?

[dukenobles]

I just get asked that quite a bit. last night, my a female friend asked my why I carried a gun in my truck and she couldnt comprehend that I might need a gun for self defense. Or possibly just to shoot a coyote or armadillo or whatever varmint might get in my way. I mentioned my new purchase of a S&W 945 for a bargain as my new truck gun and she looked at me like I was firing off rounds at stoplights.

and whenever I mention a new gun or a great shot at the range,.. i get weird looks.

not just from people that dont know me. how about you guys?

friends? family? coworkers?

kinda baffled and venting.

 

[Avenger29]

Beautiful piece.

But I don't think I could make a $2000 gun a truck gun.

If I may ask, how much did you pay for it?

 

[dukenobles]

much much much less than $2000 dollars. It was well under a thousand. I didnt even know it was a performance center model til i got it home. The unhappy lady just wanted it gone and whatever she could get for it. She said "I just want the ******* thing gone."

 

[Ash]

I do not own a single firearm for killing people. Not one. I never have. Those who carry concealed do not carry their arms, nor have purchased their arms, to kill people. That killing might happen is unfortunate, but not inevitable. Few, indeed, ever have that misfortune at all. Unless we have a few assassins on this forum, nobody here bought firearms, pistols, rifles, shotguns, etc for the express purpose of killing people. The concept is absurd.

I own firearms for the protection of my family or myself and my property. I also own them to hunt, which means I kill animals. I also own them for the enjoyment of target shooting, which damages paper and occasionally tin cans.

If a bad guy ends up getting killed out of my or my family's defense, that is unfortunate. But I have never bought a firearm to kill another person. Who here has?

 

[Cowboybootnut]

I own a gun for protection of my family and my property.

I own a gun because I find pleasure in going to a gun range and firing the gun at targets.

 

[nulfisin]

Fun

That's about it -- and lots of it. I'll protect my family, of course, but I pray that's never necessary.

 

[Olympus]

Because I'm afraid of zombies...

 

[jackstinson]

Meth-Crazed Killer Zombie Bears !
Also for protection against: Chupacabra, feral hamsters, psycho mall shooters, anyone in baggie pants apparently, ex-wives, a partridge in a pear tree, and Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving with a Pict.

 

[BushyGuy]

i always wanted a AR15 since i was 16 years old. now i finally got one at age 35 , it was expensive but worth it . i found a way to find over 1 grand for it , i baby it and make sure its always oiled not dried out.

reason i own guns is cuz i feel safer wiht them and i dont feel scared anymore.

 

[ambidextrous1]

Because I can.

 

[Skillet]

i own guns for many reasons. just like how you need to exercise your right to vote i like to exercise my right to keep and bear arms. i also go hunting, which helps my environment, in a way better way than what all of those greenies do. i use pistols for home defense and personal defense, and not just from two legged predators. i love to go out to the range and shoot at stuff, especially at long distance, because i like the challenge. it's somehwat like a hobby, but not. it teaches responsibilty if used right, and helps ensure my right to live. i use all of my guns for specific reasons, but most of them have one thing that they do that is related. going out to the range. it's just fun. it's not that i feel that i have to, it's that i choose to. just like how some families have emergency food storage and emergency water storage and what not, i choose to help protect my life and my family with something that bad guys know not to go up against. you can do so much with a gun, it is a very versatile tool. i can get food, i can defend myself, and the list goes on. i just know that a gun is a tool that has to be respected and handled carefully and responsibly. nothing more.

 

[Just One Shot]

A better question might be directed to your friend:

Why don't you own a gun?

 

[Brutz]

Because I Can!

+1
Best answer in my opinion.

 

[rhinoh]

I don't even try to explain it anymore to people who "don't get it".
You either understand intuitively or you don't.
Pretty much no amount of "explaining" will get through to the ones that "don't get it".

 

[possum]

she needs to read "Armed and Female".

as for most folks everyone knows that i own guns, shoot, reload, and train as much as i possibly can. i have no issues really.

 

[christcorp]

I love guns; I respect gun; I have plenty of reasons for owning guns; but it really trips my trigger to hear the: "Because I can"; "It's my right"; "Because the constitution ......." etc... Sorry; I know you also have freedom of speech, so not saying you can't say that, but what possible good or positive response can come of such an answer? Especially from someone on the other side of the fence or possibly even sitting on the fence? That's like calling someone a butt-head, and when asked; "Why'd you call them that?".... "Because I can"... "Because I have a right....." Sorry, but the overwhelming majority of Americans; and yes, they are just as much American as anyone on the forums or who own a gun, never if ever read the constitution or have any comprehension about the purpose of the 2nd amendment. It's like arguing religion with a Muslim or Buddhist, and when they ask you a "WHY" type question, you pull out the bible and say: "Because it says so here". Even though they don't read or believe in that same bible. You need to find the common denominator with the person who asks you "Why", so you can have a constructive and productive dialog. Sorry, but the "Because I can" type answer comes across as arrogant and red-neck. You might know for a fact, that it "ISN'T"; but that is the way it comes across to many people.

I'm not responding this way to argue with ambi or brutz. I'm responding so the original poster might think twice before giving that answer. The right answer should be all the valid reasons such as defense, safety, hunting, etc... AND THEN SAY: Fortunately we live in a country where our founding fathers RECOGNIZED THESE REASONS, and as such, gave us the RIGHT in the constitution to do such without the government saying no.

 

[TheProf]

I own a gun...
1. Because I love my family and have a moral obligation to be able to protect them.
2. Because I have a duty not be a helpless victim. Helpless victims encourage predators to continue their lifestyle.
3. Even if I go through life never having to use one, having the peace of mind of not being at the mercy of criminals is worth it.

Remember, a gun allows a 120 elderly female to defend herself against a 220 pound predator. You wouldn't want your dear widow grandmother to be helpless... would you?

Since males are generally stronger than females, guns allow women to be on an equal footing with a much stronger male assailant. Guns support women's right to live without fear. You are not against women's rights are you?

 

[Col. Plink]

To shoot stuff! I don't hunt, but I appreciate the workings of a precision instrument, the self-discipline it takes to wield one effectively, and the dilligence it takes to consistently do so.

I also love shooting stuff, did I mention? The other day I took all the half-or-less-full plastic bottles of mustard, mayo, bbq sauce, tins of curry paste, soap jugs; filled them the rest of the way with water and let 'em have it! VERY satisfying, good practice, good laughs, and increased proficiency with autoloading rifles with open sights. Ever seen a mayonaise jar when you hit it with a 30'06? I recommend it!

I have pistols for self-defense and for plinking; it's a challenge to hit anything with a pistol and so satisfying when you do. I only had a .22 pistol for the longest time, and though it had little to do with Obama I decided to move into 'durable goods and precious metals' about the time he took office. Hence I have some things I'd always wanted and some I would not have known about. Getting a new one this weekend...mustard beware!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My answer would be: "I own guns for self-defense. I own them for sporting use. I own them to exercise a civil right. But the most important reason is, I own them because some people don't want me to have them."

 

[ArmedBear]

Right there with Vern.

I also don't own a 20 Gauge Over/Under for the same reasons that I have an XD45.

 

[HippieMagic]

The reality of the situation is while most people say it is to protect themselves or their family... that really isn't a good reason. The fact is if you are living in an area where you most likely need to use that gun to protect yourself and your family you really aren't living in a good area to start a family in the first place. It is a bit of an oxymoron.

The reason most people are here is because we want to own guns. It makes it easier if you ever need one. In the country we own them to keep animals away for the most part. Ask your friend why she owns a car... She owns it because it is easier than borrowing one or calling for assistance... kinda sounds familiar doesn't it? How about why she owns a TV? Entertainment? Well there is the other reason.

The main reason is because we can and because we want to... no reason to get patriotic or heroic or anything. It is the same reason we buy fireworks, drive a car, go fishing, own a tv, play video games, go drink with some friends... it is just because we can and it's fun.

If all else fails go with what Col. Plink is suggesting, line up some killer fruit from the produce section, hand her the gun and tell her to kill them. Once you kill a few fruit or vegetables you realize the fun in watching a melon or tomato explode and you giggle like a schoolgirl.

 

[surjimmy]

Tell your Lady Friend that you have a responsibility to her and her family that she is safe while in your company, not to mention your responsibility to your family to come home safe, and you carry the gun to insure that.

 

[Ash]

After Katrina, I felt mighty happy with my Witness on my hip.

In the woods, I feel might happy with my Witness on my hip.

In the swamp, I feel might happy with my Witness on my hip.

Self defense. Family defense. Necessary even in good neighborhoods.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The fact is if you are living in an area where you most likely need to use that gun to protect yourself and your family you really aren't living in a good area to start a family in the first place. It is a bit of an oxymoron.

Now that's bologna! Crime can occur anywhere. You can be mugged in the parking lot leaving work, or leaving the theater, or a restaurant.

Should people not live in places where they can find work, go to the theater, or a restaurant?

 

[Ash]

My mother was forced to use a Colt New Service in defense of home and kids from looters following Hurricane Camille in 1969 (tried breaking into the house, which did not have power while dad was at the TV station). We lived in a good neighborhood.

My grandfather used a Hopkins & Allen Safety Police 38S&W against some baddies in rural Florida, circa 1950, in what was a safe area.

The regional prison is not all that far away. When a prisoner escapes, I have my Witness (or Colt Trooper Mk III) at the ready at home.

When I go camping with the kids, said Colt goes with me. Bears or baddies can come around, and if you are nowhere near a sheriff, you got only yourself. I don't camp in organized sites, but in the national forests (I have a number of great spots I like).

When I break down (I did last week, had to replace a compressor on my Jeep), I do not have the luxury to stop in "safe" areas. I keep said Witness or Colt in the Jeep (legal to do in Mississippi).

Ash