# Why do gunowners own guns only because "they have the right to"?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [February 24, 2012, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825 "2012-02-24T11:04:47Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/1 "2012-02-24T11:04:47Z")
SDMB probably doesn’t want or need another thread about gun rights, but there’s one thing that really does confuse me.
When Michael Moore interviewed Charlton Heston to learn why he wanted guns the answer was “Because I have that right.” I’ve heard other 2nd Amendment advocates say the same thing. “Why? Because I have the right to.”
This makes zero sense to me. If the Second Amendment instead said “the right of the people to look cross-eyed while setting their farts on fire, shall not be infringed,” would a prominent organization of activists find it important to look cross-eyed while setting their farts on fire “because they have that right”?
Gun rights, whether pro or con, are a _very low priority_ issue for me. The only reason it has my attention today is the recent news story about a 9-year old shooting an 8-year old near Seattle. (BTW, it seemed odd that reports gave such prominence to the gun owner’s statement: “I just want everyone to know that my kid made a mistake.”)
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### Author:  [@zagloba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zagloba)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/2 "2012-02-24T11:11:56Z")
I doubt that’s the real reason in most cases. It’s just a way to say “none of your business.”
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### Author:  [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/3 "2012-02-24T11:45:42Z")
> [@septimus](#):
>
> the gun owner’s statement: “I just want everyone to know that my kid made a mistake.”)
Garwsh! Ya think?
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### Author:  [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/4 "2012-02-24T11:50:46Z")
Because the more broadly a right is distributed, the harder it is to take away. It’s the same reason some security professionals encrypt their emails, to show that it’s not just criminals and child pornographers who use encryption.
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### Author:  [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/5 "2012-02-24T12:18:18Z")
**Shalmanese** has a point that when combined with the implied NOYB described by **zagloba** adds up to it’s a way of saying, why _should_ they have to \*justify \*their action? The right being recognized (to own guns, to privacy), being able to avail yourself of it or not if you so choose is the default and a matter of if it suits your needs, wants, and preferences to do so.
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/6 "2012-02-24T12:49:08Z")
I can see where you have the right not to answer the question but, if asked in a forum such as this one, why not just ignore the question or just come out and say MYOB instead of giving a glib “because I have the right to” response if that isn’t the whole of it? You’ve got the right to do many things, but just saying that you’ve got a right does nothing to further understanding for the reason behind the action.
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### Author:  [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/7 "2012-02-24T13:12:35Z")
> [@zagloba](#):
>
> I doubt that’s the real reason in most cases. It’s just a way to say “none of your business.”
> [@Shalmanese](#):
>
> Because the more broadly a right is distributed, the harder it is to take away.
These.
Offhand I can think of a few more Constitutionally-guaranteed rights that people enjoy for what I might consider the wrong reasons, but if the right itself is defensible, I don’t focus overmuch on every individual’s rationale for exercising it.
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/8 "2012-02-24T13:15:43Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#):
>
> These.
>
> Offhand I can think of a few more Constitutionally-guaranteed rights that people enjoy for what I might consider the wrong reasons, but if the right itself is defensible, I don’t focus overmuch on every individual’s rationale for exercising it.
Am I given to understand that, for at least some of you, the only reason you collect guns is to broaden the right, and that if this right didn’t need defending you wouldn’t go near the things?
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### Author:  [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/9 "2012-02-24T13:25:02Z")
My impression is that some gun owners live in fear—anywhere from slight to paranoia-level—that attempts will be made to take away their rights and freedoms in such a way that they would be much better able to defend themselves and their rights if they had guns. Which is arguably sort of the situation the writers of the Second Amendment had in mind. Thus, the thinking runs like this: Because I have the right to own guns today, I’d better avail myself of that right, lest that right and others be taken away from me.
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/10 "2012-02-24T13:26:49Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#):
>
> My impression is that some gun owners live in fear—anywhere from slight to paranoia-level—that attempts will be made to take away their rights and freedoms in such a way that they would be much better able to defend themselves and their rights if they had guns. Which is arguably sort of the situation the writers of the Second Amendment had in mind. Thus, the thinking runs like this: Because I have the right to own guns today, I’d better avail myself of that right, lest that right and others be taken away from me.
And if they didn’t have this fear, they wouldn’t bother with owning them at all?
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### Author:  [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/11 "2012-02-24T13:28:41Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#):
>
> Am I given to understand that, for at least some of you, the only reason you collect guns is to broaden the right, and that if this right didn’t need defending you wouldn’t go near the things?
Probably not the reason for most gun owners. I was raised with guns. They’ve always been part of my life. Had a BB gun when I was 4, got a rifle/shotgun (a nifty .22/.410 over and under model) when I was 10. In the rural South, for my generation, hunting/shooting was just something men and boys did. I don’t hunt anymore, but I still enjoy shooting, and I have the means to defend my wife and home if forced to do so.
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### Author:  [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/12 "2012-02-24T13:41:08Z")
I don’t own a gun, but it’s not unthinkable that I might. If asked, then “because I have that right” would probably be the reason I’d give. The real reasons are varied and subjective, and someone with different life experiences might even ridicule those reasons. I’m not inclined to hold my thought processes up to casual observation and ridicule just to oblige someone’s (probably hostile) curiosity.
Would you ever consider approaching a gay man and saying “why do you suck dick?” If you did, “because I can” would be a valid answer, and really more answer than you’d be entitled to.
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### Author:  [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/13 "2012-02-24T13:44:00Z")
It isn’t necessary for me to explain to anyone’s satisfaction why I own guns. It is not their right to demand that I satisfy their requirements before I own one, just as I am not required to explain why I own the car that I own, or the computer that I own, or why I engage in any other hobby that I enjoy.
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### Author:  [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/14 "2012-02-24T13:46:41Z")
> [@Oakminster](#):
>
> Probably not the reason for most gun owners. I was raised with guns. They’ve always been part of my life. Had a BB gun when I was 4, got a rifle/shotgun (a nifty .22/.410 over and under model) when I was 10. In the rural South, for my generation, hunting/shooting was just something men and boys did. I don’t hunt anymore, but I still enjoy shooting, and I have the means to defend my wife and home if forced to do so.
This.
I admire the honesty too. There’s nothing wrong with saying "I like guns and I like shooting stuff"or that “I have one for protection” or “I love hunting with guns”
Why beat around the bush, shrug your shoulders, and say “because I have the right”?
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/15 "2012-02-24T13:48:06Z")
> [@Cosmic Relief](#):
>
> I don’t own a gun, but it’s not unthinkable that I might. If asked, then “because I have that right” would probably be the reason I’d give. The real reasons are varied and subjective, and someone with different life experiences might even ridicule those reasons. I’m not inclined to hold my thought processes up to casual observation and ridicule just to oblige someone’s (probably hostile) curiosity.
>
> Would you ever consider approaching a gay man and saying “why do you suck dick?” If you did, “because I can” would be a valid answer, and really more answer than you’d be entitled to.
If asked in public, “MOYB” or a incredulous stare are probably the best answers. On a message board such as this however, if someone is wanting to get to the reason for an action, you should either answer to the best of your ability or not bother answering at all. Responses such as **Oakminster’s** offer a refreshing honesty that do much to bridge the gap of understanding, in my opinion.
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/16 "2012-02-24T13:51:18Z")
> [@Chimera](#):
>
> It isn’t necessary for me to explain to anyone’s satisfaction why I own guns. It is not their right to demand that I satisfy their requirements before I own one, just as I am not required to explain why I own the car that I own, or the computer that I own, or why I engage in any other hobby that I enjoy.
Is the mere question “Why do you own guns?” a “demand” that you “satisfy the requirements” before you allowed to own a weapon…or might that be a bit an overreaction to a question honestly asked?
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### Author:  [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/17 "2012-02-24T13:54:47Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#):
>
> Am I given to understand that, for at least some of you, the only reason you collect guns is to broaden the right, and that if this right didn’t need defending you wouldn’t go near the things?
I do not “collect guns”.
I can buy 40 gallon-sized perennials for the price of one of the “things”, easy. 🙂
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### Author:  [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/18 "2012-02-24T14:17:45Z")
Well, the whole issue about broadening the right or protecting it from being taken away is the political argument in many 2nd Amendment debates (whether you call it “live in fear” or you call it “we need to broaden the right” tends to depend on what side you’re on), but that sort of explicit ideological basis really would be determinant in arming themselves only to a relative minority of actual gun owners.
For a majority the answer to the “question honestly asked” is more likely to be a variation on **Oakminster** ’s answer.
But I suspect that in many cases, the glib “because I have the right to” can also be a way to tell the questioner they they suspect it’s\*\* not \*\*“a question honestly asked” but a set-up.
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### Author:  [@Scholar\_Beardpig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scholar_Beardpig)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/19 "2012-02-24T14:21:51Z")
I own guns because everything not forbidden is permitted, and the more egregiously weird an action is, the more satisfaction I take in doing it - just because I can. That’s the truest sense of liberty; the liberty to do things without any justification, just because you feel like. The moment that goes, everything else is in jeopardy.
Also, I like shootin’ stuff.
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### Author:  [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)
#### Post date: [February 24, 2012, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-gunowners-own-guns-only-because-they-have-the-right-to/613825/20 "2012-02-24T14:30:19Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#):
>
> Am I given to understand that, for at least some of you, the only reason you collect guns is to broaden the right, and that if this right didn’t need defending you wouldn’t go near the things?
I collect guns because I enjoy shooting. There’s a physical challenge involved in holding a well-machined tool in your hand and using it to deliver a 22/100-inch projectile to a small section of a target 50 yards away. I like doing that. It’s fun.
However, I carry a weapon in part because I want to broaden acceptance of the right, and that if this right didn’t need defending I would very seldom carry. Despite the fact that it’s perfectly legal in Virginia, with no permit, license, or sanction of any kind from the government needed, to strap on a six-shooter and walk down the street, people sometimes react with alarm. That’s understandable, if unfortunate.
But when even [police are not aware](http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A50416-2004Jul14?language=printer) of the law?
> [@](#):
>
> The first incident, at a Starbucks on Leesburg Pike near Tysons Corner, might have inspired other gun owners to carry openly. It began shortly before 10 p.m. June 14, Perez said, with a complaint from a citizen. Police arrived to find a 19-year-old man carrying a .22-caliber pistol and a 21-year-old man with a 9mm pistol.
>
> Perez said an officer spoke with the men, then took their guns and charged them with possession of a firearm in a public place. Virginia law 18.2-287.4 expressly prohibits “carrying loaded firearms in public areas.”
>
> But the second paragraph of the law defines firearms only as any semiautomatic weapon that holds more than 20 rounds or a shotgun that holds more than seven rounds – assault rifles, mostly, Van Cleave said. Regular six-shooters or pistols with nine- or 10-shot magazines are not “firearms” under this Virginia law.
>
> The day after the arrest, the officer consulted with a county prosecutor and determined that “he had erred,” Perez said. He summoned the two men to the McLean District station, returned their weapons and dropped the charges.
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