The Briefing Room
General Category => Sports/Entertainment/MSM/Social Media => Shooting Sports => Topic started by: txradioguy on January 17, 2018, 12:01:10 am
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I remember years ago (in my 2A infancy) when my husband and I had a Springfield Armory XD … and that was about it. One handgun. I didn’t think much of it at the time. Having a gun for home protection seemed to be a smart thing to do. And training with it was even smarter. But it didn’t really occur to me that we could — or should — have more. And when my husband eventually brought it up, I recall thinking, “Why would we need another gun? We already have one. Besides, they are basically all the same!â€
My mistake. Guns are not “basically all the same,†and now that I am an instructor, a competitive shooter and a vocal 2nd Amendment supporter, my views on firearms — and the amounts that one should or should not have — are much different than they used to be. It seems that Americans’ views may have changed a bit, as well. A 2017 Harvard/Northwestern University joint study estimated that our country’s 319 million citizens currently own about 265 million guns. And while in 1994, the “typical gun-owning household†owned 4.2 guns, in 2015, The Washington Post revealed that this average number of firearms owned has nearly doubled to 8.1 guns per household. And that trend has only gone up since! (On a side note: How many of you are now thinking: “I guess I am not a typical gun-owning household!�)
From 1911s and guns just for show to shotguns and ARs and guns on the go, there are so many different firearms out there … and just as many different reasons to have them. So when a friend recently posed the question: “How many firearms is considered ‘too many?,’†it reminded me of how far I’ve come. And it got me thinking about possible answers to this intriguing topic.
No doubt, the anti-gun groups would claim that even just one gun is too many. They constantly tell us that having more guns equals more crime … and, therefore, we should take away all guns. Thankfully, there are people who speak the truth about this falsehood — people like John Lott, who explores and explains in his book More Guns, Less Crime that locations with the largest increases in gun ownership actually have the largest drops in violent crimes. There are also folks like Steve Scalise (R-La.) who was shot this past summer at a GOP baseball practice near Washington D.C., but who rejects the argument that there are too many guns in Americans’ hands. “The problem is not that there are too many guns,†Scalise explains, “It’s that there are people that will go out and break the law, whether it’s a gun or some other weapon or a bomb.â€
Another possible answer that might come up is that having “too many†firearms could become a burden. A lot of people say that if you ever wind up in court, having too many guns may be a liability. In this line of thinking, having that mysterious number of superfluous firearms (whatever that number is) could look suspicious, especially in a day and age in which the media reports discovering “arsenals†in people’s homes that consist of a dozen or so guns and a few thousand rounds of ammunition. Either way, this is something to consider … and perhaps something to discuss with your lawyer.
When I think of a “real†answer to “How many firearms is considered ‘too many?’†(besides the “You can never have enough!†statement that I’d love to use), I suppose there might be a few red flags. For instance, if firearms have become some kind of unhealthy obsession and they are ruining relationships or sending you down a financial black hole, then that is probably a sign of “too many.†I believe, as well, if you can no longer safely secure (and/or maintain) your guns, then that is also a sign of “too many†(or a hint that it’s time to purchase another Liberty Safe).
Undoubtedly, the answer to this question is completely unique for every individual, based on factors like your lifestyle, family, interests, hobbies, values, skills, income, job, etc. And, of course, it depends on the intended use(s) for the gun(s). Do you hunt? Are you a gunsmith? Do you enjoy shooting sports? Are you an instructor? Do you carry on body for self-defense? Are you a collector? Do you stage guns for protection in the home? Have you considered having a backup … or a backup for your backup?
All in all, there’s really no fail-safe, foolproof right or wrong reply to the question: “How many firearms is considered ‘too many?’†If you think about it, firearms are, in and of themselves, a very unique investment. They are an investment that may one day provide some money in return … but most importantly, they are investment for your safety and for your future. And in that case, there can never be too much.
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/many-guns-many-guns/ (https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/many-guns-many-guns/)
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Well. if we're dealing with the basics, let's start with the basic gun safe 'load' for a family in these parts. A .22 rifle, a .22 pistol. Cheaper to shoot and plenty adequate to teach, and practice, marksmanship. Add to that a shotgun, for personal defense and/or bird hunting--or simply recreational clay target shooting. A rifle capable of bringing down at least a deer, and while the .22 can do this, something on the order of 6.5 mm and up is the usual. Since military calibers remain popular, .308 (7.62X51), .30-06 remain popular (7.62 X54R or even 7.62X39 will fill the bill), and the venerable .30-30 remains popular in western states, even though the ballistics are similar to the 7.62X39.
So far, two rifles, a pistol, and a shotgun.
A serious personal defense handgun is next, from .380 to .45 ACP, and best if you can carry it concealed, too. It is not uncommon fro both the husband and wife to each have one. That's six.
We haven't even touched on grandpa's rifle, that one dad handed down, or any 'fun' rifles for varmints, but keep in mind that it is no fun to stand around waiting for your turn at the rifle at the range while someone else is shooting, so at least two, often semi-automatics, usually surplus or military designs like the SKS, an AR variant, or an AK variant, are nothing unusual.
Eight would be a minimum, and then there are those 'deals' at the gun show you just can't resist....
As for "too many"? Ain't no such thing....
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42.5
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42.5
That's a fair start....but only too many if you are trying to swim with all of them at once.
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I remember years ago (in my 2A infancy) when my husband and I had a Springfield Armory XD … and that was about it. One handgun. I didn’t think much of it at the time. Having a gun for home protection seemed to be a smart thing to do. And training with it was even smarter. But it didn’t really occur to me that we could — or should — have more. And when my husband eventually brought it up, I recall thinking, “Why would we need another gun? We already have one. Besides, they are basically all the same!â€
My mistake. Guns are not “basically all the same,†and now that I am an instructor, a competitive shooter and a vocal 2nd Amendment supporter, my views on firearms — and the amounts that one should or should not have — are much different than they used to be. It seems that Americans’ views may have changed a bit, as well. A 2017 Harvard/Northwestern University joint study estimated that our country’s 319 million citizens currently own about 265 million guns. And while in 1994, the “typical gun-owning household†owned 4.2 guns, in 2015, The Washington Post revealed that this average number of firearms owned has nearly doubled to 8.1 guns per household. And that trend has only gone up since! (On a side note: How many of you are now thinking: “I guess I am not a typical gun-owning household!�)
From 1911s and guns just for show to shotguns and ARs and guns on the go, there are so many different firearms out there … and just as many different reasons to have them. So when a friend recently posed the question: “How many firearms is considered ‘too many?,’†it reminded me of how far I’ve come. And it got me thinking about possible answers to this intriguing topic.
No doubt, the anti-gun groups would claim that even just one gun is too many. They constantly tell us that having more guns equals more crime … and, therefore, we should take away all guns. Thankfully, there are people who speak the truth about this falsehood — people like John Lott, who explores and explains in his book More Guns, Less Crime that locations with the largest increases in gun ownership actually have the largest drops in violent crimes. There are also folks like Steve Scalise (R-La.) who was shot this past summer at a GOP baseball practice near Washington D.C., but who rejects the argument that there are too many guns in Americans’ hands. “The problem is not that there are too many guns,†Scalise explains, “It’s that there are people that will go out and break the law, whether it’s a gun or some other weapon or a bomb.â€
Another possible answer that might come up is that having “too many†firearms could become a burden. A lot of people say that if you ever wind up in court, having too many guns may be a liability. In this line of thinking, having that mysterious number of superfluous firearms (whatever that number is) could look suspicious, especially in a day and age in which the media reports discovering “arsenals†in people’s homes that consist of a dozen or so guns and a few thousand rounds of ammunition. Either way, this is something to consider … and perhaps something to discuss with your lawyer.
When I think of a “real†answer to “How many firearms is considered ‘too many?’†(besides the “You can never have enough!†statement that I’d love to use), I suppose there might be a few red flags. For instance, if firearms have become some kind of unhealthy obsession and they are ruining relationships or sending you down a financial black hole, then that is probably a sign of “too many.†I believe, as well, if you can no longer safely secure (and/or maintain) your guns, then that is also a sign of “too many†(or a hint that it’s time to purchase another Liberty Safe).
Undoubtedly, the answer to this question is completely unique for every individual, based on factors like your lifestyle, family, interests, hobbies, values, skills, income, job, etc. And, of course, it depends on the intended use(s) for the gun(s). Do you hunt? Are you a gunsmith? Do you enjoy shooting sports? Are you an instructor? Do you carry on body for self-defense? Are you a collector? Do you stage guns for protection in the home? Have you considered having a backup … or a backup for your backup?
All in all, there’s really no fail-safe, foolproof right or wrong reply to the question: “How many firearms is considered ‘too many?’†If you think about it, firearms are, in and of themselves, a very unique investment. They are an investment that may one day provide some money in return … but most importantly, they are investment for your safety and for your future. And in that case, there can never be too much.
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/many-guns-many-guns/ (https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/many-guns-many-guns/)
No doubt about it. I have, in hard times, had to sell a couple of inherited firearms my dad had left me. Comes in handy in a pinch. There's always someone out there willing to buy em.
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No doubt about it. I have, in hard times, had to sell a couple of inherited firearms my dad had left me. Comes in handy in a pinch. There's always someone out there willing to buy em.
Private sale firearms will usually bring high market for their condition, because of the absence of a paper trail in states which do not require such transfers to go through an FFL dealer. There is no shortage of law abiding folks who like having firearms without the form 4473 paper trail, and any firearm that last passed through a dealer, gunsmith, or pawnbroker's hands before the 1968 gun control act exists only in the manufacturer's or distributor's serial number record. That's just the run of the mill guns without any particular collector's or historical value ('working guns', "pickup cab rifles" and the daily drivers of the utilitarian firearm world).
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I was always a Blunderbuss fan. Gimme a Remmie 1100 with bad-ass Centurion shells.
(http://www.jgsales.com/images/2%2012GA%20Centurion%20Multi%20buckball%205001400.jpg)
(http://image.sportsmansguide.com/dimage/125051i_ts.JPG?cell=320,320&cvt=jpeg)
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I was always a Blunderbuss fan. Gimme a Remmie 1100 with bad-ass Centurion shells.
(http://www.jgsales.com/images/2%2012GA%20Centurion%20Multi%20buckball%205001400.jpg)
(http://image.sportsmansguide.com/dimage/125051i_ts.JPG?cell=320,320&cvt=jpeg)
Something to be said for the sphincter tightening sound of an 870 being racked into battery...
(http://www.sabotdesigns.com/images/S016.jpg)
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Never been one to scare them off with sound effects. I want them to be surprised. The first sound should be the sharp report from the muzzle. :shrug:
I feel that way about concealed carry. Why warn them?
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Gun for carrying around the house...
(https://zamonthly.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/judge1.jpg?w=640&h=392&crop=1)
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Well. if we're dealing with the basics, let's start with the basic gun safe 'load' for a family in these parts. A .22 rifle, a .22 pistol. Cheaper to shoot and plenty adequate to teach, and practice, marksmanship. Add to that a shotgun, for personal defense and/or bird hunting--or simply recreational clay target shooting. A rifle capable of bringing down at least a deer, and while the .22 can do this, something on the order of 6.5 mm and up is the usual. Since military calibers remain popular, .308 (7.62X51), .30-06 remain popular (7.62 X54R or even 7.62X39 will fill the bill), and the venerable .30-30 remains popular in western states, even though the ballistics are similar to the 7.62X39.
So far, two rifles, a pistol, and a shotgun.
A serious personal defense handgun is next, from .380 to .45 ACP, and best if you can carry it concealed, too. It is not uncommon fro both the husband and wife to each have one. That's six.
We haven't even touched on grandpa's rifle, that one dad handed down, or any 'fun' rifles for varmints, but keep in mind that it is no fun to stand around waiting for your turn at the rifle at the range while someone else is shooting, so at least two, often semi-automatics, usually surplus or military designs like the SKS, an AR variant, or an AK variant, are nothing unusual.
Eight would be a minimum, and then there are those 'deals' at the gun show you just can't resist....
As for "too many"? Ain't no such thing....
Pretty right on the money - Though I traded in my 30/30 carbine for a 45/70... Now that running is pretty much out of the question, a little more surety was indicated.
.22 pistol for trapped animal dispatch
.22 rifle for gophers and varmints...
12ga for bird hunting
Carbine for saddle gun and brush... go-to bear/deer rifle.
and a reach-out-and-touch-someone scoped rifle for elk, mountain sheep and mountain goats (7mm mag, 300WinMag, etc.)
.45 pistol for general protection and final option
Spare pistol in the truck as backup, and for dispatching road injured critters (mine's a .357mag)
Sawed-off 12ga pump for home defense, and general close range varmint dispatch around the barn and the chicken coop...
That's a good start.
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I have a couple Remmie 1100 semi-auto shots around the house because I'm too damned lazy to rack the round. :shrug:
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Never been one to scare them off with sound effects. I want them to be surprised. The first sound should be the sharp report from the muzzle. :shrug:
I feel that way about concealed carry. Why warn them?
I hate mopping up bodily fluids and patching drywall. If I can get them to leave with the first noise, fine. If not the second will follow very quickly.(Imminent threat, not 'castle doctrine' state.)
As for CCW, if it comes out, it comes to be used. Otherwise they will never know it is there. Different situation.
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I have a couple Remmie 1100 semi-auto shots around the house because I'm too damned lazy to rack the round. :shrug:
Mrs TRG (a.k.a. "The Boss") got me a really nice 12ga shotgun for Christmas. It's a Rock Island Armory pump copied from the old High Standard Flite King. I guarantee if the round racking doesn't convince them to leave...the 00 Buck that comes there way sure will.
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I hate mopping up bodily fluids and patching drywall. If I can get them to leave with the first noise, fine. If not the second will follow very quickly.(Imminent threat, not 'castle doctrine' state.)
As for CCW, if it comes out, it comes to be used. Otherwise they will never know it is there. Different situation.
10-4. If I'm carrying, and you see it, it's already too late.
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Mrs TRG (a.k.a. "The Boss") got me a really nice 12ga shotgun for Christmas. It's a Rock Island Armory pump copied from the old High Standard Flite King. I guarantee if the round racking doesn't convince them to leave...the 00 Buck that comes there way sure will.
I keep my 1100's loaded with those shells in post #7. Buck is for people who aren't wearing leathers. .650 cal really gets their attention.
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10-4. If I'm carrying, and you see it, it's already too late.
Might not get that far, even.
I have a hammerless wheel gun for a parka pocket piece, and I can always get a new coat.
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You know you have too many guns Only when You have to move out into your garage because there's no room left in the house.
Then you go look for a better paying job to buy a bigger house.
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You know you have too many guns Only when You have to move out into your garage because there's no room left in the house.
Then you go look for a better paying job to buy a bigger house.
(...and more guns!)
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(...and more guns!)
I used to have enough to fill a pretty good sized boat, but then I had a tragic boating accident.... :whistle:
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(...and more guns!)
“More than I need, not as many as I want†comes to mind.
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I used to have enough to fill a pretty good sized boat, but then I had a tragic boating accident.... :whistle:
In the end, the one that counts is the one in your hand. The rest just make it easier to have one there.
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“More than I need, not as many as I want†comes to mind.
They're like potato chips. One just isn't enough. At least they aren't fattening.... :laugh:
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@Smokin Joe
(https://i.imgur.com/MLqD1rA.jpg)
If the Mrs don't get it you trade her in to make more room too.
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@Smokin Joe
(https://i.imgur.com/MLqD1rA.jpg)
If the Mrs don't get it you trade her in to make more room too.
I have leearned a lot from my grandkids.
"Here, grandma, I got you a cookie, too!"
Mrs, Joe just loves a nice rifle now and then.... :laugh:
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I explained it in terms of algebra to my wife. I need N+1 where N is the number I currently have.
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I explained it in terms of algebra to my wife. I need N+1 where N is the number I currently have.
That seems reasonable, but N +2 being "too many" leaves room for the next acquisition....
I think it is situational, anyway. Am I running? Swimming? In the one-ton? At home? Every situation has its unique limitations.
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That seems reasonable, but N +2 being "too many" leaves room for the next acquisition....
I think it is situational, anyway. Am I running? Swimming? In the one-ton? At home? Every situation has its unique limitations.
You arm yourself for the battle you expect. I carried a .357 in my car for years because I always expected car-to-car was the likely threat. After the OWS and BLM crap started up I felt under-equipped and switched to one of my 9mm with two 15-round mags.
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That seems reasonable, but N +2 being "too many" leaves room for the next acquisition....
I think it is situational, anyway. Am I running? Swimming? In the one-ton? At home? Every situation has its unique limitations.
That's right... And then:
Two is one, one is none.
I can't put that down in algebra... But I know what it is...
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You arm yourself for the battle you expect. I carried a .357 in my car for years because I always expected car-to-car was the likely threat. After the OWS and BLM crap started up I felt under-equipped and switched to one of my 9mm with two 15-round mags.
There's a 357mag that lives in my truck too. But mostly because it ended up that way...
It's big enough to be a reliable spare option for defense.
It's big enough to dispatch suffering roadkill.
And it doesn't fit in my current firearms plan and was slated to be retired.
So it's where it goes... and all its reserve ammo lives with it.
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How much freedom of speech or press or religious exercise is too much?
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That's right... And then:
Two is one, one is none.
I can't put that down in algebra... But I know what it is...
Mrs. Liberty and I always buy them in pairs. One for me, one for her, and we're looking at Sport Rifles right now. I wonder if we can get one in pink?
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There's a 357mag that lives in my truck too. But mostly because it ended up that way...
It's big enough to be a reliable spare option for defense.
It's big enough to dispatch suffering roadkill.
And it doesn't fit in my current firearms plan and was slated to be retired.
So it's where it goes... and all its reserve ammo lives with it.
I moved the .357 cannon to my nightstand. It came in handy when we needed to cover each other when we had to clear the backyard when our proximity lights came on last July 4.
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I wonder if we can get one in pink?
For the Missus, I hope... :tongue2:
I function generally under the philosophical aegis of 'A Pair and a Spare'... Like in kind to 'Two is One and One is None'...
That is not necessarily identical weapons - I only have one 'set': A pair of nickel plated nines (left and right) in a shoulder rig. I got em in a deal, and can't seem to let go of em (cuz they're purty). I keep em around for when I get duded up, which has not happened in a couple decades.
But a pair in kind, and a spare in kind... seems to be my comfort zone... In most everything.
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Mrs. Liberty and I always buy them in pairs. One for me, one for her, and we're looking at Sport Rifles right now. I wonder if we can get one in pink?
Just the furniture in pink, receiver, guard, or all?
https://www.gungoddess.com/products/magpul-ar-15-pink-furniture-3-piece-set (https://www.gungoddess.com/products/magpul-ar-15-pink-furniture-3-piece-set)
https://daytonatactical.com/products/pink-16-rifle-kit-5-56-with-lower (https://daytonatactical.com/products/pink-16-rifle-kit-5-56-with-lower)
https://www.tacticalgunparts.net/colored-ar-15-parts/cerakote-ar-15-parts/pink-cerakote-ar-15-parts (https://www.tacticalgunparts.net/colored-ar-15-parts/cerakote-ar-15-parts/pink-cerakote-ar-15-parts)
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Mrs. Liberty and I always buy them in pairs. One for me, one for her, and we're looking at Sport Rifles right now. I wonder if we can get one in pink?
@Cyber Liberty
(http://a4.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/119/4f04abfdfc27489f9239f931c05f411f/l.jpg)
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@Cyber Liberty
(http://a4.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/119/4f04abfdfc27489f9239f931c05f411f/l.jpg)
Sweet!!
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@Cyber Liberty
@To-Whose-Benefit?
I'd like a Hello kitty gun too, please. Do they come in smaller size ?
Have you both seen the Hello Kitty tank?
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@Cyber Liberty
@To-Whose-Benefit?
I'd like a Hello kitty gun too, please. Do they come in smaller size ?
Have you both seen the Hello Kitty tank?
Apparently it's a "thing."
(https://worleygig.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/hello-kitty-tank.jpg)
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(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/14/Operation_Petticoat_poster.jpg/250px-Operation_Petticoat_poster.jpg)
Ahead of its time....?
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That seems reasonable, but N +2 being "too many" leaves room for the next acquisition....
I think it is situational, anyway. Am I running? Swimming? In the one-ton? At home? Every situation has its unique limitations.
N + 2 is merely two many.
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42
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42
The solution to the universe?
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The solution to the universe?
Life, the Universe, and Everything.
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Life, the Universe, and Everything.
Too bad the ultimate question was "What do you get when you multiply six and nine?" :shrug:
(It was then that Arthur realized that's' why the universe seemed fundamentally messed up.)
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Mrs Navycando has her own expensive hobby her 250 gallon Salt Water Reef Aquarium. I keep quite about what she spends maintaining that hobby, she pretty much ignores new purchases going ing my Liberty Safe. And she has a gun she carrys each day herself.
My bedside is a XDm .45. My primary carry is an M&P Shield 9mm, and XDs 9mm, a M&P M2.0 9mm, a M&P Pro 9mm for the range, and for deep carry an LCP .380. Long guns to, including an AR. M&P 15T