I had a strong curiosity of guns since I was about 8 or 9 years old. My step-father didn't have an interest or an opinion of them really, his family was fairly neutral regarding them and they never owned them.
I acquired my first BB gun at 9 or 10 years old and I was hooked since. When I turned 18 my first rifle was a Marlin Model 25, and shotgun was a Savage model 12 gauge. My first handgun was a 4" Ruger GP100 .357 in stainless steel, and I was pretty good with it.
I've evolved through several hanguns and rifles and I don't know if it will ever end. I don't collect guns, I keep what I feel will be the best for me. If I believe that another type or model will be better for my perceived purposes I'll trade for it.
I feel that I only need one gun for specific purposes, they all can be used for self-defense, but the pistols are primarily for that purpose since they can be carried with you most of the time. So I recently traded Glock 21 and SP101 for two Glock 19's for simplicity of design and ammo compatability. One to carry and one to leave home for the family when I'm out.
The shotgun is the most versatile of all my firearms and have always felt that I just couldn't live without one.
The 10/22 and Marline M60 are fun, but I wouldn't consider them totally necessary in a life-and-death situation.
The scoped rifle is definitely one I'd grab for if the SHTF and of course for large game hunting, I consider this a necessary firearm.
The SLR-95 is THE SHTF rifle.....and hunting and plinking rifle. This is just one fun gun, accurate enough, reliable, large mag capacities. If I were only able to grab one of my guns on a bug-out, this would be the one.
I hope that I have finally filled my firearms niche, at least for my wife's sake (for my sake). I really can't afford to keep trading and losing money on them. The trend hasn't affected the long guns, just the pistols. With these two G19's I feel I have plenty protection.