quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
I didn't vote because you don't have an 'all of the above' option which would have been my answer.
Jim

This!

I enjoy target shooting and shooting sports.

I guess I started out because I grew up in N. Idaho and my gun(s) put a lot of meat in the freezer and on the table. Birds like doves, pheasants, ducks, geese and grouse. Rabbits, deer, elk, bears.

There were times especially during the winter when if we had not put meat in the freezer we would have seen a lot of skimpy.

We also ate a lot of fish as well.

In short, I have no short answer.

I came to like guns and got pretty good at their use, especially in the army.

Now? I have guns for numerous reasons. One of which has been in the family since it was bought new in 1898 (as I recall). Winchester '73. Has been handed down to the oldest male member of the tribe since it was new.

Like others have said, you need to add a choice for all of the above. I do not hunt anymore, but I did for many years.

I sincerely doubt that anyone in this country owns firearms only because they have the right. Let's dispense with this stiff pretentiousness about the Second Amendment as a response to the OP's questions.

I became interested in firearms as a young child because my father was interested in and owned firearms and because I was a typical young boy, interested in machines. Guns were on TV, in film, on the news, in my home and in the homes of my friends. My father had subscriptions to several firearms periodicals and each month, I read these magazines. I grew up steeped in firearms.

When I grew older and went out on my own, I purchased my own handguns, the first being a Colt Combat Commander. The era of the Wondernine was underway. There were marvelous handguns to be had. Again, a fascination with machines drove this interest.
When I moved to the big city and away from my quiet and secure-feeling home town and got my first apartment in the urban jungle, it was then that I developed an interest in firearms for self defense, both in the home and out. Today, I own firearms still because of a fascination with these interesting machines, and also because the world can be a truly dangerous place. I do not hunt, and outside of nuisance insects, I will kill nothing which I cannot eat or wear or which poses no harm to me or some other being, but I have collected more than sufficient weaponry to do great harm to those who would do harm to me or others.

The Second Amendment does not grant me the right to keep and bear arms. The Second Amendment merely affirms this right. The Second Amendment does not compel me to own firearms, nor does it anyone.

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Because I can.

Exactly.

Choices:
Self-Defense-Home
Self-Defense-Carry
Collecting
Target shooting

quote:

Originally posted by slosig:

quote:

Originally posted by Johnny 3eagles:
Because I can.

Exactly.

Sorry, I don't buy it. No one owns firearms- any more than they own any sort of item- merely because they can. There must be a driving interest or at least a compelling need.

Who buys things for themselves, for which they have no interest or need, merely because they can?

Again, this response seems to go back to bristling over gun rights and the Second Amendment. State the real reason(s) you own firearms.

Because my wife lets me.....

Self defense and sentimental reasons with regards to some I inherited. I don’t hunt.
Probably need to start paring things down since I’m getting older and don’t want somebody else to have to deal with all of it later.

I had very, few for no particular reason up until 1994.

Bill Clinton and the Democrats Federal Assault Weapon Ban changed all that.

Now I simply want to practice my 2A Rights and ensure my children, their children, and their children’s children will not need to worry about such future nonsense.

So I guess I own guns for the children.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: kimber1911,

!. I like 'em
2. Used them at work
3. self-defense
4. the Army won't lease me a Stryker

Sugested additional poll response:

It's kind of like breathing.

I put down the initial reason at the age of twelve I got involved, sentimental reasons. From that point on all of the above came into play.

Because I can't throw a rock at 1200 feet per second and unfortunately one may find that necessary on occasion.

yes

I purchased my first handgun for home defense.

Years later I discovered how much I enjoyed shooting as a sport. Then came the Signess, the you will buy a Glock, etc.

Because I’m a free man and aim to keep it that way.