A question we have all been asked...
 

How many guns do you have???

At one time or another, I'll wager we have all been asked this question; How do you answere it..?

For me it never seems tocome from guys I shoot/hunt with, but I do get it in social settings and usually from people who are not reallyshooters. They generally seem to be interested is just the number of guns and it seems like they will make some sort of judgement about me based on the number I provide..almost like if I said I had 3 or four I'd be an OK guy and if I said I had 50 I'd be considered a nut...

It happened today at the office, 2 or 3 of us were talking about going shooting and one of the guys, Pete, asked me how many handguns I owned. Now, I consider him a friend but there were other people around and I just told him that was a question I didn't want to answere. He pressed the question a little asking things like, "less that 30, less than 20 & etc", he was genuinely interested but he didn't seem to get thatI didn't feel comfortable in that setting to answere...So, I made a wise crack and asked him how his wife was in bed, he's a good guy and I think realized I was just trying to make a point that even amongst friends there are some things we don't like or needto talk about...

Does this kind of gunquestion make any of you uncomfortable.., if so then why?

Doug

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

answer i've been giving lately is "why...how many do you think you'll want to borrow if we get hit with a Katrina?"

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

The number of guns I have is limited to 4. There's a22,243, 12 guage, and a 50 caliber smoke pole.Just enough to allow me to hunt anycritter around home that I want to. I don't have near enough guns yet. I don't think a person can have to many guns. If nothing else they are a investment and a joy to shoot. I don't have any problem telling anyone I have 4 guns. But if I have quite a few guns I am not sure I would tell. Thats kinda like some one get'n asked how much money do you have??? Really none of thier business. But on the other hand, if they are a good friend.... what difference does it make if they know how many guns you have?

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

I haven't been asked, but some topics, depending on your employer, are best left uncovered. Anti-gunners will ask about your ownership and nothing you can do or say will change their mind. It will take an external threat from a perp or some awful event to bring them around.

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

Ya know I find most Anti's are golfers (Thats why I can't stand the game of the Kennedys) but I turn my answere back on them. When they ask me why do I have or need that many guns I tell them "You could play golf with one club but you don't just like your clubs each of my guns have a different job. This usually shuts them up.

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

If it is someone I don't know well, I lie. The answer is "three or four". Those that know me are usually rolling on the ground laughing at this point.

Right now, without counting, I don't KNOW exactly how many I have!

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

I’d usually lie and tell the person I’ve got one rifle, and one pistol. The anti-gunners around Madison don’t need to know exactly how many I have. I know where they are and how many I really have. I do let them know where I bought the pistol, which can’t be bought in the city per a 1986 ordinance banning sales of handguns to fight crime.

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

Question best left unanswered...

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

The only person I'm really worried about knowing how many guns I have is my wife. Seriously. If she knows the exact number then it's a lot harder to add to it quietly.

If someone asks, though, I have no problem telling them. I only have about a dozen, but it'll keep growing here and there.

I don't think there are hardly any anti-hunters or anti-gun people around here. If there are, they must be smart enough to keep their mouths shut because that wouldn't exactly be a popular mindset around here.

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

I think the last time someone asked me that, i said "probable a couple more than i need, but they areMY hobby just like YOU have a hobby". I then change the subject to what ever their hobby is... "If" i was pushed, i'd turn it up a notch or two and say, "none of your business".

I have an aunt who thinks only the police and military should have guns. I remember many years ago whenmany of the blacks were raiseing he!! in the city where she lives. Her husband called my dad to see if he had a 22 rifle he could buy!!!

Don't you just HATE how it's only "ok" if THEY are doing it????

Drilling Man

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

One of lifes little rules;

When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"
If pushed, I respond "Only what's needed"

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

I always reply that it's personal and private information.....Then I ask....."Why do you ask?" That puts them on the spot and it dies there.

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

My answer? "My wife says to many and I say not enough.";)

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

I use the answer, "enough to get the job done" and/or "but another wouldn't hurt"

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

HCHI am not worried about what people think.I havebeen self-employed for 21 yrs and my wife is hot and 15 yrs younger.If what people thought of me concerned me I would get a chic my own age. I just be myself and if someone worthwhile wants to know and they are someone I want to know I have no problem with disclosing my gun total. Robbery doesn't scare me; everybody knowsI have a CCW and I pack all the time; so does my wife.



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RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

It doesn't bother me, but I don't own that many. I pitty the person that asks me about guns and isn't really interested. I will talk about it, bows and hunting for hours and if they are not really a hunter or a target shooter they will probably never ask me again;). You guys think I make long posts, wait until you get face to face with me and talk about something I am interested in. I can be a bit chatty.

I like your response about the wife though. Had you asked me that I would have answered:D.

Paul

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

My grandma always asks me this same question. I always so not enuf, then she says, 20.......I'm like no.......30........I'm like no..........and after that she gives up. But, to tell you the honest truth I don't know how many guns I actually have, some never see daylight, 7 for sure ride in my truck with me at all times, even my mud truck has a companion or 2 in it at all times that goes BAAAANG......

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

ME TOO..
HCH[/align]

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

It doesn't really come up with me exceptaroundguys thatI hunt with or at least talk hunting with, so I never really think about it. Anybody else, I really don't have any reason to talk about the exact number of firearms I own.

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

I just say, "More than some people, less than some people".

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

My answer... "Why? You got one for sale?":D

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

I just hang it out and answer when I am asked. I am not shy about it and usually get some looks. You see, I am a musician and have very long hair. I look like a hippy! So people are usually a bit surprised when they find out. The biggest question I get is "Why do you need to have all those guns? I always answer "Because I want them! I should have the right to own them until I break the law with them, in which case, my rights to own guns is forfeit".
One of the things people say is "But you don't seem violent". Of course I am not. But people often confuse guns with violence. My answer to that is that Automobiles kill about twice the nuber of people than guns each year. Are thes non gun people willing to give up thier cars in the interests of saving lives? Of course not. That would inconvenience them!! But anti gunners are not worried about inconveinening gun owners by demanding that guns should be outlawed.
And in case you are wondering, I have 30 or so.
okcmco

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

Some interesting opinions, 2 main reasons I don't feel comfortable talking about the number of guns I own are that I don't want it widely known because somebody will hear and try to steal them and the other is public perception.

Someone hears you talking about all your guns and mentions it at home, their kid hears them and mentions it to some other kid at school and you end up with a broken window and torn up house. Stolen guns are worth money in the city and it's easier to move them then it is anything else they could steal..

I recall a buddy and me driving to the range for a day of fun, over the radio we heard about a guy in our area who got busted for something. The news stated that they "recovered" an arsenal of weapons from his home, don't remember the exact details but my buddy said that we had more than that justin the back of the truck. Besides the number of guns, they made a big deal about his having (approx)1200 rounds of ammo, enough to start a small war...etc. The average non shooting person probably agrees that 1200 rounds is excessive..Heck, they would think I'm the leader of a terrorist cell, a brick or two of .22's, a flat of shotguns shells and a few boxes of ammo for each cal. handgun and rifle would add up to that number if you owned just a few guns. I reload, imagine what they would say about all the powder I have around..."bomb making facility" or something like that...and Mr and Mrs John (soccar mom) Doe probably agree...

I don't like the question being asked and I can't remember anyone I shoot or hunt with asking it.

Doug

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

So generalizing about soccer mom or dad in that they would agree with that statement is ok but generalizing that someone with guns and alot of ammo is wrong because its about you?;)
Soccer dads have guns too:D
J/K. I know what you mean

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

HCH[/align][/align]

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

DougS......I totally agree with your statement that you don't like to divulge the number of guns you own due to word of mouth getting around, and falling on the wrong ears. Guns are indeed a hot item in the black market, and the theft of them seldom results in their recovery. A good friend of mine had his guns stolen years ago, and only one was recovered and returned to him years later. It was taken from a buglar who was caught in New York. Long way from PA.
My close friends are the only ones who have an idea of how many guns I own, and I couldn't give you an exact number myself, as they are constantly coming and going around here. My wife has totally given up trying to keep track.
All I can and will tell you is that I'm very vague about it, particularly with people I don't know well, or those I consider to not be in the same interest circles as myself.
I'm sure that I, as well, would be labeled by the media as some kind of radical due to the fact that I also handload, and have stores of powder, bullets, and loaded ammo readily available. Simplt because I enjoy my pastime, why should I be treated differently than someone who has more than one set of golfclubs or fishing poles? The old adage still rings true: Guns don't kill people, people kill people. And they don't need a gun to do it, either. Good point stated previously, about the number of people killed by autos in this country. Can't talk about that now, can we, in the sense of banning them because they are involved in deaths and disfigurements, simply because they are an accepted medium, and most would be terribly inconveniencd if they had to do without?
Strange how it's alright to criticise gun owners when you own one or more "Weapons of mass destruction" themselves, namely their automobiles. At least by guns dom't guzzle gas.
I guess I've rambled on long enough here. Thanks for listening..............

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

I have 9 total mostly rifles and shotguns and I have one 40 cal handgun. I like when people think I'm a "gun nut". I always ask people who think guns should be outlawed if someone was raping your wife would you shoot them if a gun was handy or just cry and forgive them after it was over. Being PC is getting really old, I own guns, I hunt, I kill cute furry animals and I make no excuses for it.

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

According to my wife, more than i need. According to me not enough. There so many, in so many calibers and configurations. Currently 12 or 13 but my father-n-law has so many he finds them buy accident. I cant count the times i have been helping him look for something. When i heard him say "Huh.... forgot i had that". Ruger MkI, old four shot derringer and a Custom 30-06 built on a Pre-64 action his dad had built in the 50's.Just to name a couple. God please let my life be that good.

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

I have enough to arm a small third world country. Then I laugh and say enough to keep me busy shooting and then cleaning.

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

More than I need.
Not as many as I want. :)

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

ive never been asked infront of people i wouldnt talk about it with....my friends that hunt think im nuts because they know i have double digits to my name...and if we add in the ones dad has we got a nice collection. i did however kinddda have a customer at work ask about it. i was working at walmarts sporting goods section and our store lost its guns due to lack of sales(because they let a computer order it instead of someone that knows about guns) and a customer asked why the case was empty. then the manager and i were talking and he told me he was new cases for knives and ammo coming but he didnt know what they would do with the glass revolving cases. i told him i wanted it for my room. the manager said "must have a big room" i said ya its a basement room and its bigger then most peoples living rooms..then the customer looks at me and says "you dont REALLY have enough guns to put in there do you?" i didnt know what to say. i looked at the case and said ya i could probably fill it. it only hold 15 guns or so. im still trying to get it! lol only thing im worried about if i DID get it would be the height. but heck....locking glass revolving case...i think it lighted...BIG bottom section that locks and would hold enough ammo and handguns. i might try to get one of them for real! im sure walmart would either throw it out or give it back to the company or something. but i just might try. im going to look at it better next time im at work and see just how big it is...im sure it breaks apart and i could bring all the glass home in sheets...hmmmmm

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

Now see my parents have made a rule that I cant have anymore guns untill I buy a new gun cabinet cause mines full.but if I cant change the conversation I usually ask them and if they reply with less than 9
"I say is that it?"but all of mine have a purpose from hunting squirrels to sasquatch.

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

Enough to get the job done.
Not as many as I would like.

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

That question doesn’t come up to often and if it does I don’t really give a straight answer...

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

I could only answer that if I knew myself (me being honest and all). My other answer is a lot.

KEJ

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

I get asked all the time and I tell them doesn't matter where I am. If someone doesn't like it, that is okay. I also usually make a coment when folks are talking about computers, well it has gad zooks gig, or memory, or video card, and they say it is like 5,000 dollars. I say I could buy 20 or more guns for that and they usually stop talking computers which drives me crazy. Hey, why pay 5,000 for a computer that is aged next week when new technology when I can get a gun or bow that will continue to do what it was intended to do at least till they put me in my grave. :D[8D]

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

I just say when I get one more I'll have all I need.

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

personally I dont think its anyones business to know howmany you have. if that imformation falls into the wrong ears it could wind up getting you robbed.

RE: A question we have all been asked...
 

I've been asked that question before and depending on the situation will dictate my answer. I'm not ashamed of my guns but in some situations I don't like getting into it.

On a similar line I was asked once why I felt I need a gun for home protection. I answered with the old boyscott motto: "always be prepared" The follow up question was: "Have I ever needed a weapon?"
My response was: "have you ever had a house fire?" answer: "NO" I went on: "but you still have homeowners insurance that covers a house fire don't you?" That pretty much ended the Q & A.