zminer
Member
Anti-gun activists will often ask, "well, why do you even own a gun?" or "why do you think you need a gun?" Many gun owners think this is a nonsensical question, and treat it as such. However, I think it might be the case that a certain percentage of non-gun-owners simply don't understand the wide variety of reasons for which people own firearms. So, I made a list. The categories obviously overlap somewhat, and I don't think any one person will claim that they fall into just one or two categories, but I think it's a good starting place.
At least in this first draft, I pretty much want to make sure I am not missing any major categories. I haven't made an effort to include all possible subcategories yet - just a few examples of the kinds of things that might eventually fall under each major category. If people want to suggest additional subcategories, though, that would certainly be helpful as well. In fact, constructive criticism of all sorts would be useful.
In alphabetical order, by major category:
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* Collecting / Ownership without [significant] use as a working firearm
- Firearms as investments
- Firearms as display pieces (shotgun over the fireplace in a hunting lodge)
- Firearms as historical objects (personal or museum-related)
- Firearms as purely collectors' items (to own certain guns, to have a certain set, etc.)
- Sentimental reasons (family firearm; inherited firearm)
* Fun / Hobby / Pastime
- "Plinking" (casual shooting objects or targets largely for fun, and less for accuracy)
- Spending time with friends who also enjoy shooting
- General enjoyment / happiness
- Cowboy action shooting
- Historical reenactment
* Job-related
- Military
- Police
- Security guard or other protective occupation
- Farmer, or other profession where firearms are used for pest control
- Firearms salesperson (gun shop owner/employee)
- Firearms repair (gunsmith)
- Firearms analyst (forensics or ballistics professional)
* Political / Activism
- To exercise Constitutional or civil rights
- Firearms ownership as a patriotic ideal
- Make a political statement
- To keep a certain type of firearm in common use
* Protection
- Personal protection
- Protection of others (whether family, or unrelated individuals)
- To be ready to use firearms protectively in the case of emergency/disaster
* Self-improvement
- Personal marksmanship improvement, for its own sake
- Improving moral fiber, temperament, or other personal attributes
* Sport / Competition
- Hunting
- Target shooting
- Skeet shooting
- IDPA, USPSA, or other active shooting events
At least in this first draft, I pretty much want to make sure I am not missing any major categories. I haven't made an effort to include all possible subcategories yet - just a few examples of the kinds of things that might eventually fall under each major category. If people want to suggest additional subcategories, though, that would certainly be helpful as well. In fact, constructive criticism of all sorts would be useful.
In alphabetical order, by major category:
-------------
* Collecting / Ownership without [significant] use as a working firearm
- Firearms as investments
- Firearms as display pieces (shotgun over the fireplace in a hunting lodge)
- Firearms as historical objects (personal or museum-related)
- Firearms as purely collectors' items (to own certain guns, to have a certain set, etc.)
- Sentimental reasons (family firearm; inherited firearm)
* Fun / Hobby / Pastime
- "Plinking" (casual shooting objects or targets largely for fun, and less for accuracy)
- Spending time with friends who also enjoy shooting
- General enjoyment / happiness
- Cowboy action shooting
- Historical reenactment
* Job-related
- Military
- Police
- Security guard or other protective occupation
- Farmer, or other profession where firearms are used for pest control
- Firearms salesperson (gun shop owner/employee)
- Firearms repair (gunsmith)
- Firearms analyst (forensics or ballistics professional)
* Political / Activism
- To exercise Constitutional or civil rights
- Firearms ownership as a patriotic ideal
- Make a political statement
- To keep a certain type of firearm in common use
* Protection
- Personal protection
- Protection of others (whether family, or unrelated individuals)
- To be ready to use firearms protectively in the case of emergency/disaster
* Self-improvement
- Personal marksmanship improvement, for its own sake
- Improving moral fiber, temperament, or other personal attributes
* Sport / Competition
- Hunting
- Target shooting
- Skeet shooting
- IDPA, USPSA, or other active shooting events
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