How many guns is “too many”?

[ofbiro]

Here in Italian Republic the laws, specially about firearms are complicated and often contradictory.
On the other hand, there is no legal limitation for the number of hunting shotguns and rifles.
There are several technical limitations: no full auto, no smoothbore larger that 12 ga a.s.o.

 

[Surgeon1]

Man who dies with most toys wins

 

[uplander01]

Free country, free thought, no limit.

 

[HWL]

You do not have enough when you feel the demand for another one....

HWL

 

[daxter11]

To me guns are tools. Since they tend to hold their value I usually sell one to buy one. I’ve probably sold 15 guns in my life, and I currently own 5.

 

[62flint]

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve slowed down on buying firearms. When I was younger, I bought and traded many that I now wish I had kept, as they have become valuable collector’s pieces over the years.


One reason I’ve cut back on buying is simply space. My "office" is full, my gun safe is packed, and my gun cabinet for custom flintlocks is overflowing. I'm now considering remodeling my shop into a man cave and trophy room, adding a large cinder block, steel-lined, drywall-enclosed closet with a steel vault door. Essentially, I want to build a massive gun safe that is fire- and tornado-resistant, with climate control. Many of my custom flintlocks won’t fit in a standard gun safe—my favorite, built by a Colonial Williamsburg gunsmith, has a 44-inch barrel.


Over the years, I’ve shifted my focus to higher-end firearms—pieces that are either collectible or exceptionally well made. But even then, I don’t buy many. I simply don’t see the need.


This brings me to a topic I’ve been giving a lot of thought to lately. I’m considering extensive travel in the next few years, possibly spending months on the road hunting. The question is, what should I take with me? I’ll need firearms that cover everything from wing shooting to big game. I have children and nephews across the U.S. who grew up hunting with me, and they’re always inviting me to visit and hunt with them.


So, what would I need to cover wing shooting, varmints, and big game from Upstate New York to California?

• A scoped .22 LR – I have a little bolt-action rifle that shoots very well and is handy.
• A varmint rifle – I own an AR that shoots extremely well, but in some areas, black rifles aren’t well received. A bolt-action in .223 or .22-250 is likely in my future.
• A big game rifle – I have a .300 WM and a 6.5 that I shoot well at long range.
• A close-range big game/bear country rifle – My .375 H&H fits the bill.
• A 12-gauge pump-action shotgun – I’ve grown fond of a 24- to 26-inch barrel on a pump gun. While I have some nice doubles, for pure utility, I prefer a pump.
• A handgun – It would be nice for protection, but traveling through states like New York and California, where handguns are heavily restricted, makes carrying one impractical—similar to the restrictions on AR-style rifles.

So, there you have it—my long-winded opinion on how many guns you truly need. Five should just about cover everything.


Fortunately, I live in a country where personal freedoms and rights take precedence over government-imposed “needs”—at least for now. Our rights and freedoms have been gradually eroded since this country was founded, especially over the last 100–150 years. But that’s another discussion entirely.

 

[Safari Dave]

Around me, it's simply a "gun culture" that doesn't even follow politics.

I have several liberal friends and they all own guns.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

"Guns are like Horsepower. Too much is almost enough." I do not know how many I own. When I was younger and poorer, I still tried to add one or two per year. I have only sold or traded away four firearms and I regretted all of them. So, I stopped selling or trading away guns.

We are blessed in the USA to have the right to keep and bear arms without restrictions. But, retaining that right requires vigilance. Over the years, many restrictions have been added by either legislation or more often by regulation from Federal or State agencies.

The forces of big, socialist government want to restrict those rights and would have you give them up for the illusion of safety or prevention of crime etc. Look at Britain. They first restricted the ownership of rifles and pistols, eliminating most semi and full autos. Then shotguns and restricting owners to be members of gun clubs and now are reducing ownership of large bore hunting rifles. And most recently have begun restricting ownership of certain swords. It is a slippery slope. What is next? Baseball bats? Oh wait, that would be Cricket bats.

 

[Papa72]

WIFE: “How many guns do you need?”

ME: Dunno? How many are there?”

 

[ru4elk]

Just one more...

 

[DJStang]

I have at last count approximately 220 plus or minus firearms. More than half belong to my wife, and then there are those passed down from relatives.

I look at it as an investment that my family can use to enjoy our hunting passion. Some have increased in value (and some have lost value), and some just have sentimental value. But I don't waste money on flashy or dumb things, so investing in firearms to me is a great way to spend my disposable income.

 

[Flewis]

When I get to the point of not looking for the next one there will be no more posts on here from me. There won’t be any posts anywhere else either.

 

[ACE (in CT)]

My non-hunting/shooting friends who see my collection almost universally say “why do you need so many,” followed by “you’re nuts,” followed by “I know whose house Im coming too when the zombie apocalypse happens,” to which I just shake my head. They never notice the hypocrisy of their statements.

That made me think of this:

 

[deewayne2003]

My last relationship......

 

[spike.t]

Just like watches and cars....there is always another handgun....rifle or shotgun that calls to you when you are near them.....

 

[bashaw]

You’re correct, but there are also a lot of city folk who’ve moved outside of the metro areas to suburban/rural areas. That’s going to inflate the number of non-gun owners and drastically inflate the unskilled ones in the rural areas. I say that as someone who grew up in a very rural farm town in one of the most democratic states in the country and has lived in 10+ states at this point. I’ve seen it all over the country. There are only a handful of places where most everyone owns a firearm and Dave’s on one of them.

We’re also all forgetting that many of us live in an echo chamber. We live with/near, are friends with, work with, and associate with more like minded people than unlike minded.

For your friends thinking apocalypse their question shouldn’t be how many guns you have? It should be how much ammo you have for them? What are your nighttime and communication capabilities? What’s your food/water situation like? And MOST importantly what skills do they bring to the table? I had an acquaintance (through my girlfriend) make a similar comment while we were with a group. I just laughed and said you likely wouldn’t make it to my house and IF you did make it, you wouldn’t be welcome because you bring nothing to the table other than 4 extra mouths to feed, shelter and protect. You could’ve heard a pin drop after that.

When SHTF happens, if acquaintances show up they better bring something or be of some value/help or they will have to leave. My insurance guy is a friend he owns 1 gun never practices, and says he's coming to my place when SHTF happens, I've told him pay me so much a month "premium" and he's welcome, so far no premiums, I don't think he believes me, hopefully we won't have to find out

 

[VertigoBE]

Too much is just one more, than the figure you have in mind

 

[BJH65]

I enjoy collecting guns but not to the extent where it may deprive me of a guided hunt a may want to go on. Like others, I’ll sell some and buy others. Lately, I’ve sold some to upgrade to higher quality rifles and also to cover the costs of upcoming African hunts.

For me, guns have been both a good investment and fun hobby. No limits, own as many as you want and can afford!

 

[bashaw]

I grew up with guns mostly Shotguns and Rifles bought my first handgun 45 years ago shot it and other handguns after that like John Wayne, My wife got a handgun a few years ago, so we went to **NOT**PERMITTED** in AZ, Those instructors had a good time with me because of all my bad habits ( all in good fun), the women in the class that never handled firearms were excellent within a few days. My point is all the new Gun owners need more training whether it's **NOT**PERMITTED**, Thunder Ranch or something similar, 1 day training is not enough. The places I mentioned are a bit expensive but, how much is your life or your families life worth

 

[Art Lambart II]

When I get asked "why do you have some many guns" by a non-gun person I ask then "why do they have so many shoes" and that normally ends their questions.