# Do you own any firearms? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 22, 2010, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571 "2010-11-22T20:32:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/61 "2010-11-24T17:55:46Z")
Never mind ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/62 "2010-11-24T18:05:17Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > Why so many guns? That’s not ‘so many’, it’s a bare minimum. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/63 "2010-11-24T18:09:08Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > For those not in the know, a long arm is a shotgun or rifle. So _that_’s what’s meant by “the long arm of the law”! I’m 56 years old, never owned a firearm of any sort, and have never been in a situation where I wished I had one on hand. I see no reason why that should change. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/64 "2010-11-24T18:13:15Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > Why so many guns? We ride our horses into the Rockies and need protection against Grizzly bears and wolves (yes, really). I’ve gone hiking in the Rockies, and known plenty of others who’ve done the same, none of whom felt a need for armed protection against grizzlies or other predators. (And yes, I’ve hiked in grizzly habitat.) Is there something about horses that makes the man-and-horse combo more vulnerable to such predators than a human on foot tends to be? ---
**Author:** ![ryan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a8b319/32.png) [@ryan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ryan)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/65 "2010-11-24T18:55:30Z")
One handgun .22, 4 rifles .22, .30 carbine, .303, .350 Rem Mag, two shotguns 12ga, 20 ga. Planning on adding another handgun in the not-too-distant future, probably a .357 or .45. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/66 "2010-11-24T19:01:33Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > So _that_’s what’s meant by “the long arm of the law”! > > I’m 56 years old, never owned a firearm of any sort, and have never been in a situation where I wished I had one on hand. I see no reason why that should change. Not to be all snotty or anything, but you don’t have complete control over that final stipulation. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2010, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/67 "2010-11-24T21:32:30Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > I own a .357 magnum Ruger single action revolver, a Remington 870 shotgun and a Ruger 30-06 bolt action hunting rifle. Why so many guns? We ride our horses into the Rockies and need protection against Grizzly bears and wolves (yes, really). My wife wants a snub nosed Ruger .357 double action revolver for Christmas. 🙂 Grizzlys? With a .357?? :eek: I can see the 12ga. and the 30-06, but a .357 as a backup to those seems kind of piddly, to me. Can I have your stuff when you’ve become bear poop? ---
**Author:** ![Gleena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b3f665/32.png) [@Gleena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gleena)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/68 "2010-11-26T01:29:30Z")
I had a shotgun, hunting rifle and a .22 pistol when I lived in the US. Now I live in Australia, so no guns. They aren’t totally illegal but they are harder to get and not worth the effort. Frankly, I’m happier without. ---
**Author:** ![VernWinterbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c67d28/32.png) [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/69 "2010-11-26T03:22:18Z")
I own one muzzleloading flintlock rifle, used for historical reenacting. I’m also licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for cannon and mortar firing. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/70 "2010-11-26T03:41:53Z")
I don’t and I won’t. I wouldn’t live in a house with a gun. I’m a rabid anti-gun nut. ---
**Author:** ![Norse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a9adbd/32.png) [@Norse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Norse)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/71 "2010-11-26T07:48:07Z")
> [@ExTank](#): > > Grizzlys? With a .357?? :eek: I can see the 12ga. and the 30-06, but a .357 as a backup to those seems kind of piddly, to me. > > Can I have your stuff when you’ve become bear poop? Heh. I’ve been told that if you’re planning to use a handgun for grizzlies (or polar bears), it’s recommended that you file down the front sight flush with the barrel That way, it won’t hurt so much to have the gun extracted from your butt when you get to the ER ---
**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:** [November 26, 2010, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/72 "2010-11-26T15:25:43Z")
I currently have a .50 BMG single-shot rifle, Metric FAL (.308), and AR-15. At least those are the fun ones. Have many others. ---
**Author:** ![LegsAkimbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f1d935/32.png) [@LegsAkimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LegsAkimbo)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/73 "2010-11-26T16:01:34Z")
A rattlesnake killed our dog in our front yard. On another day, I stepped out into our laundry room, which opens to the back yard, with a laundry basket under my arm and looked down to see a water moccasin’s head about 8" from my ankle (yes, we can tell the difference between a moccasin and a harmless black snake). We bought a pistol for the sole purpose of killing poisonous snakes. A moccasin (same one?) slithering across our back yard has so far been the only victim, and killing it the only use the gun has had. There are never children in our house. ---
**Author:** ![Olentzero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90ced4/32.png) [@Olentzero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Olentzero)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/74 "2010-11-26T19:08:43Z")
Owned a .62 gauge matchlock for a while, only fired it live once and was dumb enough to damn near take my foot off. Don’t own one now, and if I did it would be for re-enactment purposes only. Still might have the desired effect should someone decide they want in my house and end up getting that poked up their snoot. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/75 "2010-11-26T21:20:56Z")
I plan to buy a handgun for basic home defense _one of these days_. It’s just that I’ve never had the money; or rather, when I’ve had the money I’ve spent it on something else. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/76 "2010-11-26T22:26:06Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > I plan to buy a handgun for basic home defense _one of these days_. It’s just that I’ve never had the money; or rather, when I’ve had the money I’ve spent it on something else. Don’t buy it until you also have the time and determination to do the appropriate training. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2010, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/77 "2010-11-26T23:11:18Z")
I have one handgun which I am signed for at work. I own three others. One I fire now and then. The other two haven’t been fired for well over a decade. They are both 9mm and I don’t even remember when I have had 9mm ammo around. I like shooting. Unfortunately the one place that was convieniant to shoot at in the area closed. I have not found an alternate location. ---
**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:** [November 26, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/78 "2010-11-26T23:51:43Z")
I have nothing against guns, I just don’t see the need for one at the moment. If my life circumstances change, maybe I’ll get one; until then, it isn’t worth the money and the hassle . Besides, I’m reaching the age where buying a handgun just shouts “midlife crisis”. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/79 "2010-11-27T04:31:30Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Don’t buy it until you also have the time and determination to do the appropriate training. Amen. ---
**Author:** ![zoog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7ea924/32.png) [@zoog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoog)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2010, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571/80 "2010-11-27T06:19:25Z")
Had a rifle many years ago that was a gift from a well-intentioned step-father. Shot it at some soda cans out in the boonies a few times, but that was about it. Traded it to a brother-in-law a few years later (can’t remember what now). I don’t really see a need for one in my life now. I suppose that if I had a substantial change in my life I could see owning one. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-own-any-firearms/561571.md?page=5)