# Do you own a firearm? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 26, 2019, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870 "2019-09-26T19:51:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/1 "2019-09-26T19:51:20Z")
With all the talk about different possible gun control measures, I am curious how many here own a gun or someone in their household does. If this poll has been done before, please close. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/2 "2019-09-26T19:52:39Z")
> [@Doyle](#): > > With all the talk about different possible gun control measures, I am curious how many here own a gun or someone in their household does. If this poll has been done before, please close. yes. several. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/3 "2019-09-26T19:53:25Z")
No. It’s too expensive, my apartment management doesn’t allow it, there’s just about no situation in which I would need it for self-defense, and since I sometimes have suicidal ideation or very negative thoughts, a gun nearby wouldn’t be good. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/4 "2019-09-26T20:03:18Z")
Yes, both long arms for hunting [ranging from .22 cal to 30-06 and com bloc 7.62x54, and shotgun ranging from .410 to 12 ga, and hand guns ranging from .22 to .44 and 7.65 specific for my[P.08](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luger_pistol). I have trained and passed the classic NRA handgun safety course, a concealed carry course and a hunters safety course for long arms. I have passed several security checks up through and including federal level security clearance checks. I have no objection to passing training, security checks and having a wait period for purchase. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/5 "2019-09-26T20:06:25Z")
Many. And lots of ammo. ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/6 "2019-09-26T20:08:13Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Many. > > And lots of ammo. Same here. ---
**Author:** ![Rough\_Draft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@Rough\_Draft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rough_Draft)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/7 "2019-09-26T20:13:07Z")
Yep, although I’ve gotten rid of some in recent years. I now have 2 hunting rifles (.308 and .22 LR), one small-frame .38 caliber revolver, and one antique Colt .31 caliber percussion “pocket” revolver that I would never dream of trying to load and fire. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/8 "2019-09-26T20:16:48Z")
Don’t own one. Don’t want one. I’m not anti-gun, but I have zero interest in owning one. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/9 "2019-09-26T20:22:56Z")
Two. Used to have six many years ago, but got rid of most of them. I now have a .22 JC Higgins bolt action that my brother gave me when I was 12, and a handgun which I take on RV trips. The rifle hasn’t been fired since about 1978, and the handgun has never been fired. I’m seriously considering just cutting the rifle into pieces and chucking it. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/10 "2019-09-26T20:25:40Z")
Not at this time. When I was young I was very into target shooting and bird hunting. I had a 22, a 12 gauge, and a 410. Plus I inherited my dad’s service revolver and 45. But I gave the whole pile to my uncle when I went away to school and have not owned since. I don’t anticipate getting back into them in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/11 "2019-09-26T20:29:48Z")
No, I do not own a firearm. My right-wing buddies keep encouraging me to get one, but why, when they’ll lend me one of their when we go to a range? I do own a crossbow - do I get medieval points? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/12 "2019-09-26T20:44:35Z")
Yes, I have a shotgun. I also have access to other firearms - a .45, and an AK-47. They are under lock and key, I am trained in handling them (as is my son, who is ex-military), and all are completely legal under state and federal law, at least to date. My wife also has access - we have no children in the house. They are primarily for home defense, in case Leet the Wonder Dog[sup]TM[/sup] isn’t enough. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/13 "2019-09-26T20:46:23Z")
Yes, two. Inherited four, got rid of two. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/14 "2019-09-26T20:50:41Z")
I lost all of mine in a tragic boating accident back in January 2009. Thought about trying to find them in January 2017, but never got around to it. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/15 "2019-09-26T21:00:18Z")
I don’t have one and never will, unless you count the transformers I have that transform into Walther P38s. (One of them does fire plastic bullets, but it’s spring-powered, so not technically a firearm.) I have a friend who has one or more guns. I learned about it when I heard how, when depressed and thinking that a friend of his was screwing him over, brought the gun out and showed it to his friend, who left in a hurry. His explanation was that he was offering it to his friend so his friend could shoot him with it. His friend didn’t see it that way. (I don’t think they’re friends anymore.) Yeah, having in a gun in the house seems like a _super_ good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/16 "2019-09-26T21:00:38Z")
I guess in some states a pellet gun is considered a firearm. That’s what I have. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/17 "2019-09-26T21:02:19Z")
Nah. I like guns, but owning a firearm is an expensive and complicated process here, and even if I spent all the time and money, what would I do with it? Home invasions aren’t a thing that happens here, and it’s not as if I’ll be walking around with a pistol outdoors. Sure, firing a weapon at a range is fun, but there are cheaper forms of entertainment. I don’t need something that will just lie around the house. That said, in the unlikely case that I change careers to something involving some level of personal risk, I’d have no problem with getting a gun. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/18 "2019-09-26T21:23:39Z")
No. I do not own, and have never owned, a firearm of any kind. I have no need for a gun. I don’t hunt (although I have no objection to hunting whatsoever, and gladly partake of whatever various friends and relatives who do hunt bring home). I don’t feel like I have to have a gun in my home for protection (and, since I have two small and curious children, I’d never keep a gun in my home anyway). I wouldn’t carry a gun, because I don’t feel that I can’t go outside of my apartment without a gun. I’ve never felt like that. And I lived in New York City in the bad old days, and I’ve traveled around the world, to and through some really dicey places, and I’ve always felt pretty secure in my ability to take care of myself without a gun. I suppose if I ever moved to the country, I might get a shotgun, and/or a deer rifle, but, other than that, I can’t imagine any set of circumstances (or at least not any that are at all likely to come up in my life) in which I would feel compelled to get a gun. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/19 "2019-09-26T21:55:17Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > I guess in some states a pellet gun is considered a firearm. That’s what I have. That is (or at least was) the case in Michigan for pellet pistols. The law treats them as handguns and are subject to the same application, background check, and registration requirements. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/20 "2019-09-26T22:02:16Z")
Used to, when I lived in a rural area. Now I don’t so I got rid of them. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870.md?page=2)