How many guns do you NEED?

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"How many guns do you have?" The question hung over the dinner conversation with our non-shooting guests. I could see her picturing an "arsenal" stashed in the basement. I hemmed and hawed a bit, partly because I was trying to count in my head and partly because my wife was at the table and I was trying to remember the last plausible number I had admitted to. " I mean, how many guns does a person need?" I gratefully skipped over the previous question and replied that the question was like asking how many tools does a guy need, or how many pairs of shoes does my wife need? It all depends on what you're doing. (The tools, I mean, I have no idea on the shoes.) I explained that different guns serve different purposes, like tools. A pair of pliers isn't much help when you need a screwdriver. I have guns for hunting, target and recreational shooting, and defense. Some fulfill more than one role. "How many guns do you NEED for protection?", she persisted. I considered for a moment. "Well, five or six would be a good start."

A full size, full capacity service pistol is my first line of home defense. If weight and concealment aren't at issue, there's no need to handicap yourself with a smaller, reduced capacity, harder to shoot pistol. When things get really serious, like when you're on lockdown while the police search for an an armed fugitive in the neighborhood, a tactical shotgun is good to have. Even the vice president said so. I admit that a rifle isn't top priority in my particular defense scenario, since I live in a townhouse complex where the maximum range is 40 yards or less, but it comes in handy if a precision shot is needed. For concealed carry, I prefer a mid sized, lighter pistol. I also need a little backup gun, like my lcp, which slips easily into the pocket and is easy to carry when your attire makes it hard to conceal anything else. Finally, you should have a spare, multi-purpose handgun, like a 3" .357 SP101, that can serve in more than one capacity. So, how many guns do YOU NEED?
 
Someone once asked JD Rockefeller how much money was enough -- how much did he really need? Rockefeller replied, "One dollar more than I have."

pax
 
All of them. Knead is what you do with pizza dough it has no place in a conversation about guns. In reality I could get by with 1. In could get by happily with 5
 
From a strict "need" standpoint, I would say 1. In theory, I can own a single gun that can do everything I need, from home defense, CC, nightstand, etc. A high capacity handgun could serve all these purposes, maybe something along the lines of a Glock 19, M&P9c, etc (or other calibers, of course).

The problem is it wouldn't be able to do everything WELL. I have multiple guns I carry for CC, I have 2 revolvers that serve nightstand duty for my wife and I, and I have a shotgun. I also have guns that serve no purpose, but are just for fun (10/22, couple heirloom guns).

And then there is the question of why. Why do I have to "need" a gun? I have a right to own them, and I have nothing limiting my ownership, so why restrict it? Plenty of people, espcially in the US, have plenty of things they don't need. When they have to justify their ownership of their wardrobe, their kitchen utencils, their computers, their smart phones, and their entertainment centers, then I will justify my number of guns.
 
the real question is why do you need to use soaps that are known to cause cancer and mental retardation? and perfumes, laundry soaps, fabric softeners, scents, candles, that do the same thing?

why did they have to replace BPA in food products with chemicals that are actually WORSE then what was replaced?

why do they still allow bovine growth hormones after decades of proof that it leads to early puberty as well as obesity?

there are so many better questions to be asking.
 
One is certainly not the answer!

Everyone needs a home defense handgun. They also need a .22lr rifle and while they are at it they also need a .22lr handgun. A shotgun is also needed along with a centerfire rifle that can at least down a deer. So I would say the minimum is 5 but what fun would that be?:D
 
I collect milsurp, so this question would be like asking about any other little trinkets that people collect. I always tell my wife that when we build a home after I'm done with my service, the basement will be a small armory. I don't think she quite believes me yet.

I suppose I could get by with just 2 though. An hd/fun handgun, and a hunting/fun rifle big enough for hogs. I agree with everyone else though; why the need for justification? My guns and I aren't hurting anyone.
 
From a legal standpoint, I can justify the need for 19 different firearm types, based on the legal requirements for self defense, livestock defense, and hunting different game and non-game species in the U.S. (I typed the list up, but it was a bit long for this post.) And, that's just counting the regulations that matter to me. If I had to consider magazine limitations, magazine disconnects, barrel length restrictions, and other stupid laws in states I don't like... the list would probably triple or quadruple.


But, of course, the real answer is....
I need every gun ever made. Each is unique. Each does its job in a different way. Each is a piece of history, as well (no matter how "inconsequential" it may be).



Why does a model railroader need more than one locomotive? They're all the same, aren't they? :rolleyes:
Yes, the questions above are rhetorical.
 
NEED to fill a normal person's roles?

A handgun and a rifle. The handgun could be one of the small-ish Glocks that still maintains a combat size, and the rifle could either be something like an AR or a bolt action in .308

That takes care of home defense, carry, SHTF, hunting, and long range target shooting.
 
Five is probably the minimum that will cover all the bases.

Shotgun (Bird hunting/home defense)
Centerfire Rifle (Big game hunting)
Rimfire Rifle (Pest Control/small game hunting)
Compact Handgun (Carry/self-defense)
Full-Sized Handgun (House/nightstand gun)
 
I would think the need would need to be defined . Are they for protection ? Protection from what ? Are they to survive the SHTF type thing . Or are they for just sitting in a safe cus nobody ever needs a gun ? The last one is how most people feel about firearms when they ask the OP's question or they would not ask the question .

NEED : hand gun that holds at least 15rds . semi auto center fire rifle or shotgun , 308 or bigger scoped rifle and a 10/22 of course . This is assuming getting ammo is not an issue .

I really like your tool analogy . Everyone should be able to understand that with out it sounding like we are grasping for good reasoning . I've often used the fishing pole analogy . How many fishing poles does a guy need ? You just throw the line out to catch fish . How many different poles could you possibly need ? I then go in to great detail on all the newonces of fishing . Type of fishing , how the gear matches the type of fishing your doing and why . It can be quite complex and I feel a lot like shooting . When using the fishing analogy . The anti's tend to listen more because they're not automatically turned off by the gun talk . You then can transition to guns and explain it's pretty much the same thing .

Any ways I would need at least 4 firearms and all the ammo I wanted :)
 
If we are talking "need", I could get by with a mid-sized handgun and an AR for hunting & SD. That's all I really need. But need has nothing to do with it.

I have what I consider to be a moderate gun collection. A lot of my friends/associates think I have too many. When asked how many guns I own I tell them "more than I need, less than I want".
 
A sister-in-law asked me that question once. I answered "How many pair of shoes do you need?" She hasn't asked since.
 
"Need" is subjective, but I'd say the min. number would depend on what you feel the need to do (hunt, home defense, carry, target shoot, etc...). For self-defense (home and carry), I say one is minimum but 2 is highly desirable.
 
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At the moment, I would say somewhere around 60. When my wife brings up the subject(not very often)I ask "How many shoes do you need?" Works every time.
 
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