Ok, so how many firearms does an average "gunny" own?

[Hoopla Phil]

I've seen the contention here in the guns forum recently, that if a person owns a "large number" of firearms that (s)he is somehow stockpiling, or in need of psychological help. I've seen it bandied about that "gunnies" don't have a legitimate use for all those firearms they have. 2A aside, I'm not so sure about that, and would like the opportunity to shed some light on the issue of firearms ownership.

I firmly believe in the 2A and all it's implications. To that end, I have my militia weapons and what I call my "sporting" firearms. Some may also recognize that the two classifications I mention, sometimes overlap.

My militia weapons:

*AR-15 in .223 caliber (This can also be used for various competitions such as 3 gun)
Bayonet for the above (a bayonet has a multitude of uses).
*12 gauge pump action shotgun with full length tube (to hold more ammo)
*9mm sidearm.

My "militia" equipment also includes a lot of other items such as magazines, (full capacity) ammo, and items needed to carry everything.


My Hunting guns:

*.308 bolt action rifle w/scope. I've heard some politicians call such a rifle a "sniper rifle". Be that as it may, I use it for hunting game over 50 pounds.
*.22 rifle for hunting small game. I have a turn bolt, lever, and semi-auto version of this depending on the type of small game, and the type of hunting.
*300 Whisper/AAC BLK for night time hunting of hogs.
*12 gauge shotgun for dove (long range)
*12 gauge shotgun for quail (short range)
*12 gauge shotgun for turkey or duck (magnum classification)
*there are also "big game" calibers for game that I personally do not hunt.


My "sporting" guns: (oddly enough the ATF may, in their capricious judgment, not consider these "sporting")

*.45 caliber handgun for IPSC limited class (I have a "B" card)
*.38 super caliber hand gun for IPSC unlimited class (I have a "C" card)
* AR-15 in .223 Caliber. This is the same rifle that is in my militia list.
* AR-15 in .300 Whisper/AAC BLK. This is the same rifle listed in my "hunting" firearms. I'm still doing load development to try and get "major" classification with a soft recoiling caliber.
*12 gauge semi-auto shotgun with magazine extensions for 3-gun competition.
.22 for rim fire silhouette
.221 for center fire silhouette.

There is also a third tier of firearms that I had not mentioned. In some ways it overlaps with the militia weapons, but not always. I speak of course, of self defense weapons. If you consider the complete definition of "militia" as being defense of self, community, state, and country then they really do overlap. But for the sake of simplicity I'm going to call this classification self defense firearms:

*compact .45 to keep on one's person
*12 gauge pump shotgun to keep in one's home or car for quick access
.223 (or 308, or 7.62X39) rifle to keep in one's home or car for quick access.

This post is intended to educate those that are not familiar with firearms and/or the "shooting sports" as I'm familiar with. My intention is to convey a better understanding of what can be expected from an avid "gunner" and where that person's perspective may be coming from.

For those that may be involved in shooting disciplines that I'm not aware of, please post your sport/discipline here, along with the common firearm used in it.

Thank you,

Phil

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[begin_within]

2. My (only) freeper friend owns more than 100 guns.

But I guess he would be considered a collector.

[Hoopla Phil]

5. You only have one freeper friend??!!

I don't know if this is a commentary on the friends you keep or the openness of your perspective. I hope you endeavor to have more so that you may sway/give input to their perspective.

[begin_within]

10. I had two, but I dropped one.

During the time of the health care debate she was sending me all the horrible emails saying that Obamacare would have a death squad that would come to the house and decide my 92-year-old mother, who I take care of 24/7, wasn't worth saving. I told her to stop sending me anything, period. She sent one message of apology and I did not reply, and we have had no communication since then. I do know a few freeper types, but I consider them acquaintances, not friends. The one freeper friend I still have has been a friend of mine for 20 years and we get along great on non-political topics, but if the conversation turns to politics, or even current events, I clam up and I won't participate in the conversation at all. So it's a limited friendship, but I still consider him a friend and he has proven his friendship to me several times. I feel no need to endeavor to have more freeper friends.

[Hoopla Phil]

13. So she apologized and you refused to reply???!! Sounds like you

missed an opportunity to open/continue a dialog. What a shame; never let a friendship die (or miss an opportunity) when you have an appologinic(possibly swayable) person within ear shot. We must always stand resolute with our President, especially when he is right.

[givemebackmycountry]

3. Too many.

Nice post.
When I get in my car tomorrow, I'm gonna feel naked because I don't have a 12 gauge pump shotgun for quick access or a .223 (or 308, or 7.62X39) rifle.

[Hoopla Phil]

6. Please don't drive naked. Most jurisdictions have that classified as a misdemeanor. Some

even have it listed as a felony. And as you (may) know, a felony means you cannot own firearms or vote in most states.

[Katya Mullethov]

22. As they ran 'round both ends of my truck

I was quite relieved that I could simply lean in and retrieve my shotgun . Few things can hoist more pairs of ill fitting trousers ,and disperse them in more directions, faster ,than a typical "sporting shotgun" .

Note the addition of an "assault clip" .

[Springer9]

4. I don't know if she's average but Gabby Giffords proudly claims

to own a Glock and her campaign literature played up her firing an AK-47 on a visit to Afghanistan.



Gabrielle Giffords is an Arizona congresswoman and a Democrat. She is the youngest woman ever to be elected to the Arizona Senate. She’s what they call a “Blue Dog” Democrat, which is a more conservative member of the party. It also means she’s not above doing a little shootin. She still gets a low rating from the NRA, but hey – she also likes motorcycles.

The photo above is of Giffords holding an AK-47 during a visit to Afghanistan.

[Hoopla Phil]

7. Pretty nice photo. Although she does need to "lean into the rifle" a bit more. n/t

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[petronius]

8. I would not call myself avid, but maybe average-ish: I own two, handgun and shotgun,

for recreational target shooting only. (For hunting, I have a speargun - but that's a different environment...)

[spin]

12. Over the years many shooters collect far more ...

Most regular handgun shooters have at least a target .22 and one larger caliber handgun. Eventually a shooter may get bit by the .45 auto bug and buy one. If you shoot revolvers, you often want at least one .357 magnum because they are extremely versatile and can shoot .38 caliber target loads all the way up to the far more powerful .357 magnum loads. After a while you may decide to get a .44 magnum revolver as they are great fun to shoot and very challenging. If you get a carry permit, you may decide that carrying a full sized weapon is a pain in the ass and decide to buy a much smaller and lighter carry weapon.

Of course, most shooters like having a .22 caliber rifle for shear fun and because ammo is cheap. If you have any interest in hunting you will need a larger caliber rifle.

Shotguns are great for sport such as trap shooting, hunting and home defense. Unfortunately, you may decide that each task can be best accomplished by a different style shotgun.

To sum up, over the years, it is very easy to accumulate what many non gun owners consider an arsenal.

[petronius]

15. That true, which is why I chose not to classify myself as 'avid'

Of course, it could just mean I have a ways to go and some shopping to do (and I confess, every time I pay off the credit card bill I think "hmmm, there's a bit more room on here..." :) )

[Hoopla Phil]

14. Oh great, now you had to go and introduce SCUBA into it. I'm curious though,

do you have need of a "bang stick"? I don't SCUBA but have a buddy that does and he recently purchased one to go along with his more "advanced" dives.

[petronius]

16. I've never felt the need for one. Although they're present, the risk of encountering a shark that

would target me is pretty low (and I'm probably a lot more at risk of that sort of predation while surfing). For sharks that might be attracted by speared fish, I figure I could abandon the stringer as quickly as I could deploy a deterrent, and I'd rather take that route than harm a rare animal. Not that I wouldn't use the speargun or knife if push came to shove, of course...

[slackmaster]

11. As a collector, I feel obligated to own at least one firearm per year of my age

I think I'm right about there.

[Ramulux]

17. Insane

Its like some people never grow up. Militia weapons? Really? What militia are you in?

[AtheistCrusader]

18. All male US citizens between the age of 17 and 45, per US Code.

Of course, that's ageist and sexist, and should be expanded.

[Hoopla Phil]

20. I'm a citizen of the United States of America. Are you? If so it sounds as if

you seriously need to pick up a history book or two.

[one-eyed fat man]

26. Unless you are like this dude...

...

and burned your draft card, or squat to piss, you are in the militia. It is WHY your son has to register with Selective Service at age 18 and your daughter does not.

US Code, TITLE 10, Subtitle A, PART I, CHAPTER 13, § 311

§ 311. Militia: composition and classes

(a) The militia of the United States consists of all able-bodied males at least 17 years of age and, except as provided in section 313 of title 32, under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard.

(b) The classes of the militia are—
(1) the organized militia, which consists of the National Guard and the Naval Militia; and
(2) the unorganized militia, which consists of the members of the militia who are not members of the National Guard or the Naval Militia.

[Straw Man]

19. I have a modest assortment.

I have shotguns for trap, skeet, and sporting clays: my main guns as well as "beaters" and loaners.

I have a whole bunch of .22 rifles for plinking and competing in light rifle target matches at my club, and one of historical interest: a BSA/Martini Model 12 made in 1913.

I have two Finnish/Russian WWII-era military rifles: one as a collectible and one as a shooter.

I have two semi-auto rifles in .223 for plinking and informal "practical carbine" events at my club.

I have several .22 handguns for plinking and for competing in bullseye "gallery" pistol matches at my club.

I have centerfire handguns for self-defense and some of historical interest, including a Model 1903 Colt Pocket Hammerless (Humphrey Bogart carried one in Casablanca) and a sampling of the Eastern Bloc military handguns of the 20th century: Nagant revolver, Tokarev, Makarov, CZ-82.

It's not an "arsenal."

[eilen]

21. I think my dh has about

3 or 4 pistols. He has a 22 and a Python and I don't really know what the others are. I don't know if he still has a rifle or not. My son has a rifle but we keep it locked up in my dh's closet. All the pistols are locked in a safe. I periodically clean out (rake out) my son's room-- clearing out under the bed etc. He does not keep weapons other than a paint ball gun in there. I don't understand how parents cannot know if their kids have weapons in their rooms. That is crazy.

I was helping my friend out once and she needed to photograph the guns in her husband's closet. I was kind of shocked at how many there was between the number of pistols (some were clearly for collecting) and rifles/shotguns. After all, you can only shoot one at a time.

This is a subject in which I don't know much about except that guns are expensive. However I do know about sewing machines and have a small collection of those. Now if anyone wants to talk sewing machines....

[DWC]

23. What is an "average gunny"?

How old are they?
Where do they live?
How much discretionary income do they have?
To what purpose(s) do they own guns?

I appreciate the intent of the OP but feel its question is simply too broad to answer.

Semper Fi,

[-..__...]

24. Just two.

A 10/22 and a .38 :-)

[one-eyed fat man]

25. I have guns the law doesn't count

The past 6 years I have been big into Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette. I am leaving for Forsyth, Montana this afternoon.

Matthew Quigley Buffalo Rifle Match

I shoot an original Army issue Model 1873 Springfield in .45-70 and an 1885 Winchester Hi-wall on .40-65. As these guns, among others I own, were built before 1898 they are not firearms under Federal law. They are capable of hitting a man-sized target at half a mile.

In the past, I have shot Bullseye, DCM service rifle, IHMSA, IPSC and 3-gun. The latest is a Remington-Hepburn in .4 1-7/8 Sharps aka .40-50 Sharps Straight. It's not a buffalo gun, more of a mid-range target rifle, but not as specialized as for Schuetzen competition. Built in 1881 and chambered for a cartridge not in normal commercial channels it is not a firearm as defined by the Gun Control Act of 1968. It can be bought and sold freely without an FFL.



According to my notes, the best I have gotten out of it so far using a 400 grain cast bullet (Lyman 410655), .060" fiber wad over 42.0 grains of Swiss 3F are groups (from cross sticks) are groups averaging right around 2 inches at 200 meters. The best group was 10 rounds measuring 1.5 inches vertical and 1.9 horizontal. The average velocity is 1099 fps, with a standard deviation of 3.1 fps.

There are many modern rifles that will not shoot that well.

[Hangingon]

27. Beautiful rifle!

[Ready4Change]

28. I think this is like collecting many things.

Consider cars. Most of us own, or have joint ownership, of one car, and see little need for more. Some own a couple cars, to meet different purposes (econo-box for commuting, pickup for hauling, etc.) But some people COLLECT cars. Three, 5, 10, hundreds. They may focus on one model, or brand, or one era, or may have a wide variety. Some race cars, some drive them in clubs, some just admire them for their appearance, or history, or novelty.

Firearm owner/collectors are much the same, except that typical firearm owners have more than one. Part of multi-gun ownership is due to affordability. (Firearms typically cost less than cars, for example.) Another part of multi-gun ownership is that a firearm usually doesn't wear out like a car does. People often continue to own their first firearms, while they move on and buy new ones to meet their changing needs/desires. (Whereas car owners typically trade in an older car for a newer one.) Firearms are also smaller, so owning more than one doesn't require that much more space. Finally, people often aren't comfortable selling their firearms. There is a responsibility in how a firearm is used that just isn't present in, an automobile. I don't want to sell my firearm to just any one like I might sell my old jalopy.

Because it is typical for a firearm owner to have more than one, I think it's more difficult to say when you change from firearm owner to collector ('gunny', if you will.) To me the line is around 5. (Compared with cars, where I can rationalize owning 2, but at 3 I've got to admit that I'm collecting.)

[flamin lib]

29. Altho I am rumored to be a gun grabbing, anti-gun, facist, gun free zone cherishing

and all around anti seconder I only have 8 rifles, two shotguns and 5 pistols.

[oneshooter]

30. I shoot High Power, 200-600yds

For that I have a M1Garand with a 1954 receiver. I rebuilt it to National Match specs and rechambered it to 308 Win. With a Krieger mid weight barrel, Shuster gas plug and my handloads I have shot 1" 5 shot groups at 200yds, benchrest. I currently have 5 Garands and 6 M1 carbines.

I also shoot BPCR compition and Muzzelloaders in competition.
Sharps rifle with a 32" Badger barrel 45/100/530 cal.
Gibbs Volunteer rifle 45cal with a 500gr cast bullet
10ga ML shotgun
1860 Army model Colt repop
Either a 50, or 62 cal flinters

My Loving Wife uses a AR-15 rifle to shoot High Power Reduced course (200yds)
She also shoots BPCR with a Remington Rolling Block rebuilt to 38/55/330

I have a number of others, but Hoyt would be scared if I continued.

Oneshooter
Armed and Livin in Texas

[rl6214]

31. At last count I own 57 guns

I am a collector, mostly WW2 weapons. I also have 3 sons and will be passing them down to them when I die so I need to make sure I have 3 of each if possible.

WW2 weapons I own:
M1 Garand-main battle rifle of the US during the war. I own 7, I plan on giving 2 to each son
Mosin Nagant-Main battle rifle of the Soviet Union. Again I own 7
K98 Mauser- Main infantry rifle of Germany. I only have 2 so I need to get one more.
British Enfield- Great Britain infantry. I only have 2 so I need 1 more.

I have built 7 AR15's. When my two oldest sons turned 18 I gave them their pick. My youngest still has two years til he gets to pick his.

Pistols I own:
Czech cz52- I have 3 so I can give one to each son
Springfield ZXD45
Ruger P85 9mm
Ruger P89 .40 ca
Taurus Millenium 9mm- my main concealed carry pistol
Taurus 357 mag
Buckmaster .22
S&W Sigma .40 ca

Other rifles:
Albanian sks- I have 7
Russian sks-1
Yugoslavian sks-4

I also own a couple of modern shotguns and 1 shotgun I inherited from my grandfather plus I 30.06 I use for deer hunting.

I think that about covers it. I go out a couple of times a month target shooting to keep myself sharp and a couple times a year I will compete in local events at a local range. I have taught a number of police officers on gun safety and on shooting techniques after teaching one friend how to shoot before he went into the police academy. After that he brought police friends of his out to have me help them with their techniques.

Edit to add:
I own 4 guns safes so all but one of the rifles are locked up at all times. About half of the pistols are in the safes except for the one on my side of the bed, the one on my wifes side of the bed and the one I carry daily. There are no young kids in the house EVER and my kids have been shooting since they were about 7 or 8 so they are well schooled on weapon handling and safety.

[Kolesar]

32. Ah owwwwn more guns than I neeeyadd, but less guns than I wa-hant

Former Senator Phil Gramm, from the state of Enron.

[eqfan592]

33. Guns I own...

Springfield Armory M1 Garand with an adjustable gas valve

Swiss K-31 straight-pull bolt action rifle (with an amazing 2 stage trigger!)

1944 M-44 Mosin Nagant bolt action carbine with attached bayonet

No. 1 Mk III Lee Enfield bolt action rifle, wire wrapped

Ruger 10/22 with a Tapco stock

Marlin 981T .22 bolt action rifle

Henry Survival .22

Hi-Point 9mm carbine (really fun little rifle here, and surprisingly accurate)

International Arms 982 12ga shotgun (my home defense firearm)

Springfield XD9mm (great trigger on this one as well, and my wife's home defense firearm)

Walther P22

Rossi .357 magnum revolver (which is with my folks right now as their home defense firearm)



That's about it. I'll be adding a Yugo SKS and a pistol for CCW this year (right now thinking a CZ P07). I love taking the .22's out to the range because they are so much fun to shoot and you can shoot all day for next to nothing, and I love the old bolt actions because I love the history behind them (and they are also a ton of fun too shoot! :D ).

[benEzra]

34. Rough estimate? 2 to 3 (per individual owner).

300 million guns and 80 million owners would be an average of 3.75 guns per owner, but collectors at the high end of the scale probably account for a disproportionate share.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

35. I have just less than 40

Multiples of some weapons that I use for instruction, but pretty much what others have said and they break down into the same 3 groups
- Defensive
- Target/Sport
- Hunting
Also as others have pointed out, some qualify in multiple areas.

I also have a complete set of Brit WWII rifles (Lee-Enfields) and some other oddities.

[badtoworse]

36. A modest five for me

Two handguns (9 mm and a .22 caliber) and three rifles (2 in 30-30 and one .22 caliber)

[tortoise1956]

37. Geez, I haven't thought about it in a while...

In the order I procured them:

Mossberg .22 from my early pre-teens (Birthday present when I turned 9, I think)a
Ithaca 20ga single-shot shotgun from my teens (birthday present when I turned 14)
Colt 1903 Hammerless .32 that my great aunt used to carry (given to me in her will)
Springfield XD .40 (5 inch barrel)
Springfield XD .40 (3 inch barrel)
Ruger GP-100 .357 (6 inch barrel)
Bushmaster XM-15 .223 (A2 model with 20" chrome moly steel barrel)
Mossberg model 500A 12ga (plug pulled so it has 5 round capacity, hangs out by my bed)

I had to go check some of this out, it has been ages since I took the .22 or 20ga out of their cases.

Sorry for lagging so far behind the rest - I guess I'm just a wimpy Gunny (maybe a Winny?)

[Hoopla Phil]

38. I want to thank all all those that posted such thoughtful remarks.

I didn't see too many disruptive posts either (I'm surprised that there were so few really). I hope that those that are neutral on the issue, or that really have an open mind, were able to take away some knowledge about how (or why) a person involved in the shooting sports will have such a large number of firearms.

Thanks again!!!