Why do you own a gun?
Posted by WiggWamm@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 100 comments
This is not meant to be a political post.
Why do you own a gun? What got you into guns? Have you ever had to use a gun in self defense or home defense? If you have, what was that like?
I don’t own a gun but I’ve been considering it but I keep going back and forth on it so I was curious for peoples answers on these questions
I-burn-metal@reddit
I've always had an insane interest in all things metal and mechanical. I was the kid that would sprint to the street to watch the garbage truck. Engines, hydraulics, steam, everything. Machining never really caught me, but I have become a very talented welder. I suppose I just find the sparks, heat, and beating shit with a hammer more stimulating. But with that comes an appreciation for metallurgy, engineering, and intricate bits and pieces of complicated creations that sometimes fail and need repair. Firearms embody nearly all of that. Add in the fact that they can feed me, defend me, and provide fantastic recreation then they obviously become something that secures my attention.
retardsmart@reddit
Why do you ask stupid questions? Because you want to.
TommyT_BrownellsGT@reddit
Yes, I own many. To me, a gun is a tool that's used like any other tool. Every job needs the right tool to be done correctly. Some jobs are harder than others. I've been in to guns my whole life, started when I was 12. Hunting, Sport shooting, comp shooting, 20+ years in the military (you get the picture). Now I'm in the Gun Industry specifically Gunsmithing.
The real question I believe you should be, what job are you trying to do? If Self Protection is that job you need to buy a gun.
Gyp2151@reddit
I got into guns, because I realized the police and government have no duty/obligation/responsibility to protect anyone. They don’t have to show up if you call 911, they don’t have to intervene if you are being stabbed right in front of them, they don’t have to kick in the door if they know you’re being raped on the other side of it, and they don’t even have to enforce restraining orders.
Warren v. DC
Lozito v. New York City or watch this video which is narrated by Lozito himself.
Town of Castle Rock v. Gonzales
mfa_aragorn@reddit
Range fun , target practice and collection . Where I'm from I can't use it otherwise. No carry laws , and law is very vague when it comes to self defence and home protection ( by any means ) , and mainly because you cannot have a licence for that anyway.
I had my first air rifle when I was 12 . Even though generally speaking they are weapons , I like guns like some people like sports-cars .
WiggWamm@reddit (OP)
Oh okay I’m guessing you’re not in America then?
mfa_aragorn@reddit
Neeeoope !
WiggWamm@reddit (OP)
Okay well out of curiosity since you are not American, do you think being able to own a gun for self defense / home defense makes sense? Or does it not seem practical or necessary to you?
mfa_aragorn@reddit
Short answer yes, but only if the law permits it and there is a legal povision for it, otherwise its a lot hassle. From what I get reading posts and such , it seems that even when you are within the law, if you kill someone even in self defence , its a lot of legal hassle and expenses anyway , let alone when you are not following the law.
Having said that , if there is a chance that someone will harm my wife and daughter , in or outside the house , then god have mercy on them, irrespective of what the law says .
ArceusTwoFour_Zero@reddit
Mainly, I am fascinated with the manual of arms of different guns and ways different guns work mechanically. I am not a hunter or into sport shooting or competition. My guns are generally for recreation/fun or for defensive uses such as home defense or concealed carrying. I enjoy all types of guns, whether that be modern carbines with red dots or wood stocked double barrel shotguns and bolt action rifles. Having fun at the range with a couple of friends is awesome. Whether I am shooting at nothing in particular or organize a small challenges like different drills. But guns are not my whole personality, I just happen to like guns and enjoy them. I consider myself a mild history buff, I have seen and read about what different world governments/regimes have done to their people in the past. I consider an armed populace to be almost mandatory. Historically, governments always end up overreaching too much on their citizens. The second amendment is a buffer to that, making sure people always have the power to change things for the better if a government were to become tyrannical. History has shown many times when governments become tyrannical.
WiggWamm@reddit (OP)
I don’t really disagree with what you’ve said but how do you avoid things like gang related shootings, or mass shootings?
ArceusTwoFour_Zero@reddit
What do you mean by "how do you avoid things like gang related shootings, or Mass shootings?". Are you asking me personally or just in general as a country?
WiggWamm@reddit (OP)
Yeah like if you were president and someone was like “sir/maam/whatever, what is your plan to reduce this?”
What would you say?
For me I would try to restart the mental health hospitals that got closed in the 80s. I think that could help with a number of things ranging from gun violence to homelessness to drug addiction, etc.
I think I would push for better teacher salaries and better afterschool programs and activities to keep kids doing things and learning and off the streets after school
DarthMonkey212313@reddit
1) I used to do on site IT service work. Got sent to some really sketchy places.
sacovert97@reddit
Lived out in the country. EMS and Police will take 15+ mins. to get to you. Have a gun and good first-aid equipment on hand at all times.
Emergency_Fan_7800@reddit
I collect them, I view it as an investment, and I love to build, restore or improve upon them. I carry for a living and for the defense of myself, my family, my friends and for the innocent that I vowed to protect. I shoot for the sport and to hone my skills. And, if need be, be one of the 3%
WiggWamm@reddit (OP)
One of the 3%? What do you mean?
Emergency_Fan_7800@reddit
At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, there were approximately, 3% of the population, that rose up against the British, to win our freedom from tyranny.
ghuntex@reddit
Hunting and sporting
WiggWamm@reddit (OP)
What is sporting? Like target shooting?
ghuntex@reddit
Exactly
GaGuRoShoMo@reddit
Action Movie Infancy - I kind of always liked firearms. Always found them cool, (especially AKs), but never really thought about getting one, until I got the chance to purchase "my favorite" pistol from one of my favorite animes (a first-series CZ 75 from Gunsmirh cats). There was just something about its design and the "mythology" around it that got me hooked. I was ignorance personified.
FPS Russia Kindergarden- Got my firearms permit specifically just for that pistol. But to me at the time, it was a mere merchandise item. Then again, it's too cool to only stare at it, and kind of pointless, if you not also know how use it properly. So I took a couple of shooting lessons and took part in a few small target shooting competitions, where I turned out to be a decent-enough shooter. But still, I knew nothing about guns yet.
Hickok 45 High School - All I knew was that, now that I have a pistol, I need a revolver, too, sort of as a contrast. So I got one of those as well and was fascintated by how simple and yet complicated those things are. I began educating myself, falling further and further down the rabbit hole. And the more I did, the more "out of control" it got.
Forgotten Weapons College - Going from CZ and my appreciation of AKs, I took a special interest in firearms of the Cold War - the differences in philosophy behind Soviet and western constructions, who the engineers behind them were, where they took their ideas from, and how a lot of them found different solutions to the same problems.
Paul Harrell Adulthood - Got caught up in the history and mechanics. Now I own an ever-growing collection, with the goal of having at least one examplary firearm for every common caliber, locking system and gas system.
I'm just having a whole lot of fun.
Sea-Candidate-3310@reddit
I was raised around guns, very country family but not in the way you might think haha. The first gun I ever shot was my step father’s ab-10 when I was maybe 7-8. The year after for Christmas i was gifted my first ever, a cricket .22 bolt(?) rifle. Shot my grandfathers mini 30 as a young boy and absolutely fell in love.
Now Im deep into the hole, many firearms deep. My wallet pleads for a merciful death.
THELEGENDARYZWARRIOR@reddit
Is fun
DryFoundation2323@reddit
Ultimately because my dad owned guns and he passed away. The one that I bought for myself was for CCW.
midlife_dadpulse73@reddit
I started shooting at 6yrs old. Was taught by WWII and Vietnam vets (Granddad and father). Bought my first in my early 20's (because I could), stopped for a long time, then started up again about 12 yrs ago. Now have a family to protect, and a CRAMMED safe. Multiple calibers, uses, frames, etc... I purely enjoy the visceral sensations when pulling the trigger and the after effects (recoil, scent, follow up). I will shoot until the good lord deems it so that I not anymore....loss of vision, or loss of breath.
JeanPascalCS@reddit
I own guns because sometimes I need to send metal through the air at very high speeds :).
Seriously though, I grew up around guns. There never really was a point when I "got into" guns because I was around them from birth. I fired my first gun at 5. I was given my first gun at 8. I shot my first deer at 9.
I own guns for
a) self defense (though I have that need covered many times over so any new purchases typically aren't geared towards that)
b) hunting - as noted I've hunted since I was a kid. I'm 43 now. I continue to hunt a lot
c) competition - I'm into USPSA, GSSF, and steel challenge
d) mechanical interest - I like how things work. I've always been mechanically inclined, and some guns I'll buy if I find them mechanically interesting even if I don't have a use for them (or even plan on ever shooting them).
Bwomprocker@reddit
The scene from Jurrasic Park where Muldoon unfolds the stock on his Spas 12. Little kid me thought that was the coolest thing I had ever seen.
C_IsForCookie@reddit
Most of them are just fun to shoot and it’s a hobby I enjoy. A couple of them are to carry because the world is a crazy place and you never know what might happen when you leave your house.
The_hammer_69420@reddit
Protection, defense of property, defense of others.
Benny_Andretti@reddit
Because I’m literally Billy Badass
alcoholicprogrammer@reddit
Originally, I had guns because I'm a small framed dude whose lives alone in a city weirdos and the police response time tends to hover around 20min, which is an eternity in a self defense scenario
These days, I just think it's fun to take them out to the range and keep my training sharp
Never had to fire my gun in a DGU, thank God, but I did have to draw it at one point years ago. Some freak with a knife tried to ambush me in a grocery store parking lot at night while I was returning my cart to one of the stations in the parking lot. Fucker turned and ran real fast after I isosceles'd down on him. Some other freak on a dating app dox'd my home and threatened to "pay me a visit" because I wasn't interested after meeting for the first date. Sent them a picture of my rifle and never had to deal with them again.
WizardMelcar@reddit
I have several reasons for owning guns.
Hunting/Defense/competition/cause I want them & I’m a free American.
What got me into guns, was hunting. As a child. My family would hunt grouse & deer.
What keeps me in guns is they’re fun. I shoot weekly at an outlaw USPSA style competition.
YuenglingsDingaling@reddit
Damn, the exact same reasons as myself, except it was pheasant instead of grouse.
Field-brotha-no-mo@reddit
Same reason you have a fire extinguisher and a smoke alarm. Cops are minutes(at best) away when seconds or less count. I also think they are rad and have taught me alot about basic work with tools and stuff. Building ARs. I wasn’t taught that shit and now I can confidently fix other shit as well as customize firearms. I pray every night I never have to fire a shot in anger. I also ask god to guide my hand if must stop a threat.
vuther_316@reddit
If a person can't provide for themselves financially, then they aren't a truly independent individual. In a similar way, if a person can't provide for the defense of their life and liberty, then they are not an independent individual. Firearms are the only real way for an individual to defend themselves when they are threatened.
learning any martial skill, including the handling of firearms, can be very beneficial for many people
Guns are cool, and tinkering with them can be a good path for people to broaden their horizons.
RegNurGuy@reddit
Defense, people aren't sane anymore.
MatriX621@reddit
I blame G.I. Joe and 80s 90s action movies.
Bubbabeast91@reddit
My favorite analogy comes from my best friend's dad.
Say you go to work and from your average paycheck you get to save 100 dollars every 2 weeks. You have your eye on a new TV. Let's say it costs a thousand dollars (tvs are like the only thing getting cheaper, so I guess we are looking at a 72 inch example here lol).
You bust your ass and save for almost 3 months, and you buy this TV. You toss the box out with the trash. Congrats, you are the owner of a brand new TV! Enjoy it!
2 days later, you're sitting at home in your underwear watching a movie on your new TV. Someone kicks the door in, and 2 criminals come in armed with knives. They tell you to shut up and keep still and they take your new TV off the wall, and run off with it.
Did you ever actually own that TV? If someone can come into your house, against your will, and take what you call your property, and you are powerless to prevent them from doing so, do you ever actually own anything? Sure, it's JUST a TV, nothing compared to your life, but that TV also represents 3 months of your life, because it took 3 months of working and saving to afford it. And the example may be a TV, but it also applies to everything you own, everything you save, and also to everyone you love.
So number one, money and stuff equals time to obtain, and when you measure everything as time, the most finite resource of your life, everything starts to get expensive. Everything becomes a portion of your life, and if someone takes your stuff, they are effectively stealing a piece of your life that it takes to procure/replace that thing. Even if you had insurance, it still takes time and frustration to go through insurance, and do they get the exact same thing for you? Or is it only partially covered?
Number 2, if you have no ability to defend your life, and your things, you never really own them, and that's no different than being a slave. The difference is, you have no idea who your master is until they appear and take from you.
So the question becomes, if/when someone decides to kick the door in, and steal a piece of your life (or maybe all of it) how do you plan to protect it?
It wasn't long after that conversation that I got my first 22 rifle, then a pump action 12 gauge shotgun, and then a pistol. I still have that rifle and pistol (sold that shotgun for a better one years ago), and have since fallen in love with guns. They are an absolute blast (pun intended), and I find that they are fun to tinker with and customize, fun to build, and of course fun to shoot. I take classes at least once a year to continue to develop, have toyed with the idea of competing, but time and money have been tight the past few years, and I hit the range every chance I get. I carry one always, and I am confident that if that door ever gets kicked in, they aren't taking my life without a fight, and a few new holes to breathe through.
disturbed286@reddit
One to carry. Another to carry when I can't wear as much to carry it under.
Another for home defense.
Then it goes off the rails.
That one because it's purty, that one because my fiancée's dad gave it to us.
That one because dead grandpa. The other one because other dead grandpa.
That one is also purty.
This one because we don't already have one...
AdSignificant6673@reddit
Target shooting and novelty.
crunchcone@reddit
I wanna
Devious_Bastard@reddit
I just think they are neat.
I’ve always been somewhat of a nerd or geek. Born in the 80s and grew up in the 90s. Metal Gear Solid and Medal of Honor on the PlayStation, plus history channel had tales of the gun and mail call on repeat so I was somewhat fascinated by firearms. My mother was also staunchly against firearms which made me even more interested in them.
Bought my first rifle when I turned 18, a WASR 10. My buddy had a family farm with a berm that we would go shooting at. I wasn’t a hunter or anything, I just enjoyed shooting at paper targets or bowling pins.
I got my CCL when it was finally legal in my state (Illinois) but I never carried or cared about home/self defense until Covid hit. Some guy stabbed two employees at a Walmart shortly after I was just there shopping because they asked him to put a mask on. That and then the riots/looting in my area was an eye opener and I realized firearms are more than just “dangerous, but fun toys” and are actual tools (along with first aid kits and fire extinguishers) that can save your life.
DoItForDale2@reddit
I got into guns because back in the day it was a cheap and practical hobby. I lived like 5 minutes away from a free outdoor DNR range. Back when ammo was cheap it was a real easy and fun thing to do on a whim. Originally I just had a Glock and I’d go with my friends who’d bring their guns and it was a good time.
I liven in an apartment back then and didn’t really see the need for home defense. But then I moved back to Chicago in 2020 and the whole George Floyd thing went down. I lived next to a pretty big mall and the whole place got absolutely destroyed. That’s when I started taking guns and home defence a little more seriously and got a rifle.
Now I live in Louisiana and the culture surrounding guns is way different and I really like it. I didn’t feel super safe in Chicago, not because it’s some hyper violent city but because people just be crazy and doing crazy shit. Like people drive like absolute psychopaths and don’t even get me started on the red line. But in Louisiana I feel like the default is just assume everyone is strapped. People really don’t be doing nearly as much shit on the road, the amount of crazy shit I see is almost non-existent. It just kinda feels like there’s this underlying thought in people’s heads of “better not fuck around because ya never know” and it’s a nice way to live.
Big_Z_Diddy@reddit
I grew up around guns. Guns are part of life in rural flyover country where I live.
Got my first gun (a Marlin Model 100) when I was 10. Had my first deer rifle (a Remington 700 in .270 Winchester) at 14.
I continue to own a gun because police response times are, at minimum 30 minutes away, which makes my safety, and the safety of my family my responsibility. I take that responsibility deadly seriously. There are wild animals and the occasional meth zombie roaming around the woods like it's The Walking Dead.
Hunting is also a reason I own firearms. Not only does it provide healthy, natural food for my family, I also process my own meat, and usually donate a whole animal to the local food pantry if I am fortunate enough to take more than one deer in a season.
Finally, I own guns because it is my right to do so. I value my rights...all of them, and the Second protects the rest.
HumoRuss@reddit
I own firearms primarily for the defense of my family, my home, and myself, at home and outside the home. Other than that, recreational and competitive shooting with friends. And hunting. Also, I now appear to like collecting guns.
ghoulgang_@reddit
Evacuating the Florida keys from hurricane irma. Pretty much every major highway was bumper to bumper of people fleeing the state. Gas stations out of gas, fights in parking lots, and everyone around me carrying. As soon as I got back home and settled I purchased my first pistol. During sketchy times I felt super under powered without it
HerezahTip@reddit
For protection inside and outside my home for myself and my loved ones. I take the responsibility rather than leave it to chance in happenstance I need one
dragonslayer137@reddit
All lawfull purposes.
TerminallyUnique31@reddit
Firearms are a force multiplier and a distance tool. Once you’ve been a victim of a violent crime, the question becomes “why did I ever go through life without one?” and you’ll understand the fundamental right of self defense.
You can debate about the “coolness” or hunting capabilities, etc but when someone intends to do you harm (or in my case my mother at an ATM) you realize quickly that it’s the most vulnerable people that need this tool to protect themselves. Not just giga chads on social media.
inliner250@reddit
First few were for target shooting when I was young. Then, I got into hunting and got a few more. Wife got into hunting and we got a LOT more. Lol Then my focus turned to self defense/preparedness and that was a whole other category to round out. After that, I started a 4H shooting sports club in my county and bought a bunch of .22 rifles to loan out to the kids that didn’t have any. Finally, I discovered Milsurps and started collecting those as well.
Arminius001@reddit
For protection, simple as that
Efficient_Mobile_391@reddit
I hunt and I like shooting
Hutch198777@reddit
Pops was a marine most of my life so got me into hunting shooting fishing etc, always thought guns we’re cool but knew the power they held, sometime i do for fun and protection now just incase
DEEPfrom1@reddit
Much cheaper hobby than cars
1leggeddog@reddit
I grew up hunting with my dad, i love target shooting as a sport and I am a nerd so the engineering aspect of them is fascinating to me.
No_Staff594@reddit
I used to play Roblox as a kid and played a lot of fun games on there. Thought it was cool. When I turned 18 my dad took me out and bought me my first rifle saying I should learn firearm safety just in case. It was a bolt action savage axis. Loved shooting it and eventually was gifted a Glock 17 when I was 19. Never looked back from there. Love everything about them now and the more I learn the more fun I have
PrestigiousOne8281@reddit
I inherited a pretty large collection. From there over the years I’ve sold off a lot of the stuff I didn’t need and bought what I wanted to make it my own. That’s why I’m into guns, just like someone is into cars, or baseball cards or whatever. I also grew up with them, I had a Henry lever 22 when I was 6, and from there went on to a 3030, both of which I still have at 28.
Own_Cause523@reddit
Since I was able to hold a rifle I’ve been shooting and hunting - about 5-6 years old as far as I remember. It’s a part of my culture I would say, and it grew into a love of firearms, firearm history, and a bit of pride with shooting well.
Pappa_Crim@reddit
I started out just kind of curious, found that I love marksmanship, and eventually moved into hunting. Its just a nice way to get away from everything for a little bit
Hanging_Brain@reddit
Got the bug at 8 shooting .22s in the Boy Scouts. I skipped all my merit badge classes to keep shooting. The old timers there just set me up and let me go for it all morning. My father had stopped shooting by the time I was born but had some old revolvers I used to always ask to look at. When I was 21 I got a permit and have been shooting and collecting ever since. I later inherited those revolvers and I love them. I also have a wife and baby so I of course conceal carry for self and family defense.
c0lew0rldd@reddit
Hobby, protection, hunting. Basically the primary reasons outside of being an FFL. I’ve got a gun for every situation
GAMGAlways@reddit
Sporting and self defense
oaktreebarbell@reddit
After Covid I realized I need to be able to defend myself if need be (God forbid) and so I got a pistol to carry but everything beyond that is just cuz I think they’re cool
Sanford-And-Anfield@reddit
I grew up with them. I had a BB gun as a preteen and was shooting rifles and shotguns shortly thereafter.
MapleSyrupAlliance@reddit
My first few guns were to hunt with my dad. When I moved into my own place, I wanted something to defend my home with. Then when I bought a house and started raising chickens, I wanted something to put down predators and protect my flock with.
Diligent-Parfait-236@reddit
I got my ass handed to me after trying to rob the 7/11 with the old finger gun in the coat pocket trick, having a gun alleviated that.
Ok-External6314@reddit
I like guns. Grew up around them
nrk97@reddit
I liked action movies as a kid, kind of naturally fell into liking guns. I own many guns for many reasons.
Pest control Sentimental value Home defense Duty gun Range gun Civil unrest Concealed carry Because they’re cool and interesting
Redbaron-1914@reddit
I had a history problem that spilled over into a gun problem
Terrible condition doc says my wallet is terminal
NOIRQUANTUM@reddit
Had an abusive alcoholic father who'd barge into my room to bash me up. It took me years but I finally managed to defend myself against him with my own fists. Since then, I've decided that only fools sleep unprotected. Even if it is a safe neighborhood, you never know when things go wrong.
Rape is a thing.
I've seen a government arrest comedians over adult jokes.
I've seen the EU coddle up to foreigners who rape their own women in their own land while punishing the their own people for speaking up against it. They prosecute women for defending themselves.
The UK government allows grooming gangs to freely operate while their own citizens are arrested and imprisoned over social media posts.
The Canadian government froze the bank accounts of peaceful protestors.
Australia threw their own citizens in camps.
Russia invaded Ukraine.
The real question here is: why does the average citizen need to be unarmed when history has shown time and time again that the world is too cruel for them to live defenseless and unguarded? I ain't gonna stand dick in hand while me and the people I care about get fucked over
No-Performance37@reddit
Yah I own one.
Legumerodent@reddit
Well, my dad was in the army, I think he had crippling autism deal with guns and we lived on a ranch. I assume I got the autism, I like em.
PapaBobcat@reddit
Emergency lifesaving equipment like my fire extinguishers. Hope I never have to use it.
Asher_iii@reddit
Guns are tools - use the correct tool for the job
22s - practice/skill building, small game hunting
Shotguns - waterfowl & upland game hunting (also good for home defense if the proper length and load)
Compact pistol - CCW
Full size pistol - home defense & competitive shooting
Rifles - hunting
gorte1ec@reddit
The government
AtomicPhantomBlack@reddit
I like them, and I inherited most of mine from my father. First memories of shooting are of my father handing me an AK to shoot into the dirt, at 7
worrallj@reddit
A sketchy guy moved across the street from me and I saw mobs in the street chantimg no justice no peace with pictures of terrorists tapped to their backpacks and other such things.
AlphaRomeoCollector@reddit
Useful idiots on both sides suck……. I like to think there’s a lot of normal people left, maybe a few.
400HPMustang@reddit
In no particular order:
TDS_2024_@reddit
I don't own a gun. I own many. 😂
603rdMtnDivision@reddit
I own them for several reasons some of them being unique and cool, home and personal defense, practice and marksmanship and that the world can be a shitty place sometimes and on the off chance it gets really bad I have the means to defend myself and my family from some shitbag intent on causing us harm. I hope that I never have to use one in defense though because thats just shitty for everyone involved.
Aaronsnotkaren@reddit
Self defense, republic defense(country/tyranny), target shooting, hunting and combat training.
Affectionate_Run3921@reddit
I own many guns. Grew up in the country and hunting was a way of life. I have a lot of training with firearms and enjoy not only hunting, but target shooting and tinkering with my guns.
I also carry concealed and have personal defense guns and in case I ever need to protect myself or my family. I honestly cannot imagine not being well armed and proficient with firearms.
heavilyarmeddad@reddit
There was a YouTube channel back when I was just under 18 called Carnik Con that made guns looks so cool, when I was finally 18 I went and bought one and tried it out and finally found my autistic fixation. I think there are a lot of good legitimate reasons to own guns, but I think shooting is the most fun activity on the planet.
cyberkine@reddit
Grew up on a farm. Started with hunting and varmint control and went on to building rifles and target shooting.
Idumb_gerunteed@reddit
Autism
jimbowmanjr@reddit
Same reason I have insurance on my cars and my home 😉 just in case. Hope to never need it but in the event I do I don’t want to wish I had it.
heliosprimus@reddit
I own a few. My first was the first I bought after I left the armed forces, a colt defender. I love compacts and sub compacts so that was sort of a status piece and heirloom for me after I got out. It's also nice for concealed carry and home defence. I got a henry repeater in 22LR for and fun as well as a Ruger Wrangler for the same.
I bought just recently a sporter Winchester 1917 which is a blast to shoot but will eventually be a good hunter gun when I can afford a decent scope. Lastly I bought my favorite gun of all time, a investarms 50 cal Daly Hawken Rifle. Muzzleloaders and black powder are my new passion, can't wait to get a 1851 Colt Navy revolver!
Professional_North96@reddit
Collecting family heirlooms and hunting
Disavowed_Rogue@reddit
I like tools. I like learning. I also like living life
Fair-Sprinkles8513@reddit
What's not to like, just the mechanics of a firearm is neat. Shooting hunting seeing how good you can be with different ones.
Dung_Beetle_2LT@reddit
I own a couple for self and home defense. A couple for plinking. One for long range. A couple for work. One for hunting. A couple just for the historical aspect.
Never used one in defense and I hope to never have to. Got into it when I was very young and my uncle gave me my first shotgun.
_corn_bread_@reddit
All of the above
Dale_Wardark@reddit
Basically, any reason that's valid for owning a gun (which is almost everything lol)
I own guns for self and home defense.
I own guns with the intention of hunting for sustenance.
I own guns for the historical significance of the firearm.
I own guns for "just in case."
Will the worst case ever happen? God I hope not. Do I want to be prepared in case that tiny chance ever does happen? You bet your ass I do.
Mexicangod03@reddit
They’re just Cool
TaurusT456@reddit
Gotten married. Realized I now have a wife and will have kids in the future to protect. Thought about being helpless if God forbid my family’s life is on the line and have nothing to defend them with. I refuse to be in that situation.
rednecktuba1@reddit
I own handguns for basic self defense. I own AR15s because everyone should have rifles on par with current military small arms. I own competition rifles because I'm autistic and my hyperfocus is hitting targets at long distances.
i_exaggerated@reddit
I bought my first because I thought they were cool. I have brandished my AR during my home invasion. It was the best money I ever spent. Here’s what I wrote about it shortly after: https://www.reddit.com/r/guns/comments/6q2s2s/someone_broke_into_my_bedroom_this_morning/
Darkschlong@reddit
HD