I really don't understand this "sold them/lost them" crowd. Yep, it was funny the first 10 or 20 times, but then it really doesn't contribute anything. I totally understand people not caring to divulge that information, so why not ignore the thread if you'd rather keep it private?
I also totally understand someone's curiosity as to how many guns people own. The topic is not "list everything in your collection," simply how many. I'm sure we've all wondered that about someone else's collection (and some of us about our own
at some point.
Honestly, if the Government went on forums with the ATF's team of elite hackers finding out who we all are so they can find us and take our guns away, they're going to investigate the "I lost them all" crowd just as seriously as anyone else. However, I have a feeling that trolling forums and hacking people's computers is not even close to the easiest way for the ATF and other agencies to find out what you have. I'm sure we're all familiar with the ole' 4473.
As if the manpower exists to find and target gun owners that way and secretly disarm them all at once before others find out what's going on anyway. Sorry, but it doesn't happen overnight and the govenment is not nearly that well organized.
You give more information away about yourself by simply showing up to a range or gun store (unless you remove your license plate, wear a mask, always pay only with cash, shoot in a blacked out box so nobody can see what you have...).
Rant mode off.
In response to the thread topic, I own 17 firearms. I've been collecting since I was 13 but somehow am the only gun guy in my family.
Oh, and I am also issued a Colt M4A1 outfitted with an ACOG, Aimpoint micro T-1, and a PEQ-16 laser/light system. My personal additions are a UTG folding bipod, a CAA cheek rest, and a Magpul B.A.D. lever. Oh wait! I don't want the Government to know I have that one!