# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/21 "2019-09-26T22:17:01Z")
I assume that a pellet gun is NOT a firearm. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/22 "2019-09-26T22:26:43Z")
So, if Beto gets his way, is the SDMB going to narc on us? ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/23 "2019-09-26T22:50:32Z")
I have a 12 gauge shotgun that was supposed to be for a deer hunt that didn’t happen. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/24 "2019-09-26T22:53:08Z")
I was in the boat with **Oakminster**. ---
**Author:** ![breezman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@breezman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/breezman)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/25 "2019-09-26T23:12:01Z")
I voted no, but technically that’s incorrect. I have an antique revolver that belonged to my grandfather. The cylinder doesn’t lock into place reliably, so it’s not safe to fire. I’ve owned it for about 35 years and I’ve never put a bullet in it. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/26 "2019-09-26T23:21:18Z")
I inherited a Savage 22 Cal. 410 Over and Under Model 24 I haven’t shot it in over 40 years, IIRC. I’ve fired other weapons in that time, but didn’t own them. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/27 "2019-09-26T23:44:50Z")
I have several although it’s worth noting that I only purchased one of them with my own money and on my own initiative. Growing up, my dad had a rather significant arsenal of nearly 100 firearms that I was able to borrow and use at will so I never really had a need to start my own collection. Over the years, Dad gave me a few starting with the .22 caliber Marlin lever he gifted to me the day I was born. Several other, unremarkable weapons came and went over the next four decades. After Dad’s passing, I selected a few from his collections to get me to where I am currently. Right now, I’m down to five weapons that have any value to me at all plus three or four others that I’m just looking for a chance to safely discard (Anyone want a .22 Phoenix Arms - HP22?.. I didn’t think so.) My personally significant weapons are as follows: the aforementioned .22 Marlin, a .500 S&W revolver (completely useless for any reasonable purpose but it’s a blast to shoot), a 16g Savage Arms shotgun (gifted to my older brother the day he was born and passed to me when dear bro passed on), a lovingly restored M1 Garrand that I promise you will drive nails at 1,000 feet and my Dad’s 70 series Colt 1911 chambered in Super .38. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/28 "2019-09-26T23:44:57Z")
I’m surprised at the results. So far. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2019, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/29 "2019-09-26T23:49:20Z")
I’m not sure how to answer this question. I’ve never bought or fired anything more sophisticated than a bb gun for shooting at cans. But now that Dad died last week, I guess technically his guns now belong to my brother and me. So…yes? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/30 "2019-09-27T00:25:50Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I was in the boat with **Oakminster**. I’m in Canuckistan. Federal law prohibits taking guns on boats, precisely to prevent this type of tragic accident. ---
**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 27, 2019, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/31 "2019-09-27T00:29:07Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I’m surprised at the results. So far. I’m surprised too. The SDMB is more left-leaning than the general populace as a whole, and yet here we have a higher percentage of gun owners in the poll ( **45 percent** as of right now) than even Republicans nationwide alone as a group [(41 percent of whom own guns).](https://www.statista.com/statistics/249775/percentage-of-population-in-the-us-owning-a-gun-by-party-affiliation/) It’s probably because those who own guns are especially motivated to vote in the poll, while those who don’t own guns are “meh.” ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/32 "2019-09-27T00:33:56Z")
Modern and antique/curio (but all shooting), both long-guns and handguns, several pieces or artillery and a battery of mortars. And a lot of ammo and explosives to go with all of it. Until my houseboat sinks last week or so. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/33 "2019-09-27T00:37:44Z")
No, I’ve never bought one or even held one. The only reason I would get one would be if I intended suicide with it, which I don’t presently have any interest in. Maybe if I get a painful terminal disease like cancer I’ll get one. ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/34 "2019-09-27T00:41:56Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I was in the boat with **Oakminster**. Trolling for wahoo in the boat with you guys. (I’ve never done it, but it looks like a blast. And they’re absolutely delicious.) **elfkin477** , check out [the recent thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=882081) where a Doper was trying to sell their S&W revolver, if neither you nor your brother want your father’s firearms. Lots of good ideas for getting more for your money, beyond you simply taking them to a pawn shop. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/35 "2019-09-27T00:43:36Z")
Have a huge gun safe full of guns and ammo. Wouldn’t try to think of and list them. Personally I own a 22 long rifle, 410 shot gun and a 9mm hand gun. Mr.Wrekker makes me learn how to load and unload and shoot every weapon he has. I drew the line at the blackpowder guns. Boy oh boy do I hate when gun class comes around. I’ve had to use guns for various varmits around the place. I hate to do it, but sometimes necessity shows up as a varmit. ETA, forgot to mention, I’m kinda famous in these parts for scaring a bad guy away by shooting his right headlight out from my front porch. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/36 "2019-09-27T00:43:52Z")
Yes. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/37 "2019-09-27T00:45:22Z")
We used to have an extensive collection, but are now downsizing because my BB has issues with the larger cals now and I am more into long guns. We are downsizing our dead tree book collection because we have e-books now. We have an intact 7 month old male dog. \* I work for an oil company. Do you all hate me now, or should I tell you about the cat I had declawed 20 years ago? \*Which only happened because of the weather and flooded vet’s office. This situation will be rectified post-haste. ---
**Author:** ![Annoyed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f04885/32.png) [@Annoyed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annoyed)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/38 "2019-09-27T00:48:31Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > 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. What state or jurisdiction are you from where an apartment complex feels like they have the authority to “not allow” someone to have a gun? ---
**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 27, 2019, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/39 "2019-09-27T00:50:36Z")
> [@Annoyed](#): > > What state or jurisdiction are you from where an apartment complex feels like they have the authority to “not allow” someone to have a gun? Austin, Texas. I’m guessing that since an apartment property is private property, they can ban this or that as they please? Either that, or maybe I didn’t read that 15-page-long tenant lease document carefully enough. But I think that’s what the text said. Edit: I’m guessing the legal difference is “own a gun” versus “having the gun in an apartment unit, while on apartment property as a tenant.” Obviously they can’t control what you do with guns elsewhere off their property. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2019, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870/40 "2019-09-27T00:59:47Z")
Here at the Straight Dope we are an intelligent, savvy, hip and reasonably armed crowd, including those who pass on it. > [@Alessan](#): > > 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. This has been the case with me as well, and also linked to most of the time having lived in, or had to regularly spend a lot of time in, places where it is a PITA financially and procedurally. Seriously, were I to own, I would feel obligated to keep up with training and practice and make sure I take the necessary safety provisions especially when I can’t be home and can’t take them with me. Life circumstances have meant the utility calculation leads me to pass on it. But if circumstances changed, well… And analogously to **Saintly Loser** up in NYC, yea I walked through the valley of the shadow of Baltimore with only the Lord by my side many a dark night of many a dark year 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-a-firearm/840870.md?page=3)