If I had wanted to start a thread arguing about the Second Amendment or the morality/ethics of gun ownship, I would have noted such in the thread title. You’ll notice that I didn’t.
Poll in a moment. For those not in the know, a long arm is a shotgun or rifle.
I never have owned a firearm of any sort, and I don’t believe I ever will. I would like to shoot some day - knowing how to make the dangerous end go “boom” seems like one of those basic life skills I hear so much about. That being said, the prospect of owning a gun, and being responsible for storing it safely, scares the heck out of me. I’ve been burgled before, and I would feel awful if some idiot kid made off with a gun. Not worth it.
And as for self-defense - as discussed in another thread, my preferred strategy in that regard is to run away with no regard whatsoever for pride, dignity, or bowel control. A gun is just a few pounds of useless weight in that context.
I currently have two pistols (I sold one last winter in order to eat) and five long guns.
It isn’t about being armed to the teeth or any such nonsense. They’re tools (and to some respect, toys - insomuch as they provide recreational value), but they each serve a purpose that the others do not.
Don’t see an option for those of us who used to own a variety of weapons prior to tragic boating accidents. Even if I did, I likely would not be posting any lists of numbers or types in a public forum. Let’s just say I have the ability to protect me and mine. From pretty much anything up to and including a zombiepocalyspe.
I used to have a Mossberg 500 but once I had kids I got rid of it. When they are older or out of the house I will get another shottie. I just don’t want to risk anything happening with the wee ones.
I grew up in the sticks where gun ownership was commonplace. My father is an NRA certified instructor. I’ve been shooting since I was 6, and was taught responsible use of firearms.
I am a better shot than my husband, even with nerve damage in my right hand.
I own reproduction flintlock and percussion lock muskets, which are made exactly as they made them in the 1700s and 1800s except that they are made by modern machinery instead of being pounded out by hand. For some reason they always stick me down on the far end of the range when I go to shoot (it’s probably that big cloud of smoke I make with every shot).
I also own a much more modern rifle that used to belong to my father.
I don’t currently own a handgun (which I indicated in the poll) but I have no objection to owning one and might buy one some day. A double barrel howdah pistol would be fun. I wouldn’t mind owning something modern either.
Don’t own any, have no intention of getting one. About the only reason I could see for me getting one would be to commit suicide with, and I’ve no plans to do that.
The NRA and some states hold Firearm classes for children to teach them safety and proper use and respect. Becoming a parent does not preclude one from safely owning a gun.
My father kept (most) of his guns locked when we were kids. There were two pistols that were not kept locked and were always loaded. I was taught not to mess with them and didn’t. I do understand that I grew up surrounded by gun culture, so my experience is a little different from others.
Fewer than I used to have. The only rifles I have now are old .22 cal that were gifts from long ago. They haven’t been fired in at least 40 years. There’s also a .12 ga bear gun from our Alaska days, never fired. The two pistols I owned have gone, with the explanation too involved for this thread.
M1 Garand; Mossberg Tactical (to which I am probably going to attach a stock). Considering a hand gun purchase at the moment - leaning towards the Springfield XD 45.
I’ve a modest collection - mostly target rifles and plinkers, but a couple more serious pieces. And one special rifle that’s all three - An IMI Timberwolf in .44 Mag. That is a sweet shootin’ iron! Remarkably accurate with low-power wide-angle optics, quite capable of taking white tail, and inexpensive enough to reload for that I can dismount the sights and spend an afternoon making cans dance to my tune.*
I own two. One is an elderly Browning automatic handgun that belonged to my father, which is kept unloaded but in my nightstand. It hasn’t been inspected by a gunsmith to see what kind of shape it’s in for firing. One of those things to do on my list.
The other is a 20-gauge, pump-action shotgun. That one is behind the bedroom door at all times, loaded with double-ought shells for home protection.