Would I ever get into a position where I owned hundreds of guns, but didn't have $3k cash to my name? Absolutely not.
Some of us are not good at keeping cash on hand. Toys, home repairs/improvements, entertainment......literally dozens of things gobbling up those readily liquid funds. But guns can provide a little bit of financial security for the precise reason some here don't consider them a good way to invest or save money. For those of us who are not so good with highly liquid funds, we will have something that can be moved relatively easily for a decent return, but are a little too much headache (or possible loss on investment) to sell for impulsive, discretionary purchases. Likewise, they make great barter items.
Personal examples of selling/trading guns to benefit me:
1) 2008-10: The dive in the economy hit me pretty hard, gobbled up what little savings I had in no time. Over the next two years+, I sold off about two dozen firearms at 70%-$150% of what I originally paid and was able to keep my home while I sorted things out. We're talking making up for a monthly disparity of about $800. How many here (especially under 30) honestly have $20K+ in savings? I doubt very many right now, and I'm certain even fewer prior to 2008.
2) Cars/bikes:
-Used Glock 22 for an '84 VF750F that I still ride to this day
-Used Romak for my '78 Aspen Coupe, still have that too.
-S&W M19 I paid $200 for got me a '66 Dodge D-100 that I later sold for $900
-Sold a Colt Combat Commander for $750 (I paid $365) when I needed an econobox real quick after my only double digit fuel economy vehicle died when I was commuting 76 miles/day.
-Traded two guns worth about $800 for a Jeep Cherokee, which I drove and maintained for about a year before trading it straight across for a full size 4x4 SUV that I still have.
3) Machines: Without getting really specific, I'll just say that I've traded used guns for used equipment that would have cost me twice as much in cash as what I had into the guns that were bartered.
These are just some examples of how firearms as semi-liquid assets have either kept me afloat in a time of need or greatly benefited me in bartering. Sure, I regret selling some of them, but had the money I spent on them been squandered into travel, gambling or other frivolous endeavors, I certainly wouldn't have acquired some of the things I have, and very well may have lost my home 6 years ago.