My friend keeps asking these questions

[chris in va]

After watching too much of the VT shooting sensationalism from the networks, she swings this question at me.

"Why do people need that many guns?"

This was in reference to people that collect firearms and have more than a couple in their safes. The show on TV was about the Luby's and other murderers that had "collected firearms" over the years.

I basically pointed out we like to shoot different guns for variety, like women buy shoes. Then again, she doesn't understand that either, not being the shoe collector.

Best I could come up with was I just 'need' one or two, the others are for more entertainment.

 

[No_Brakes23]

Is she a total aesetic? Does she not collect anything? Music, art, DVDs, books?

 

[ProficientRifleman]

Don't respond to it

Chris,

Don't respond when someone demands that you declare a need. When you do that you are agreeing with them that all you deserve to have is what you can prove that you need.

Instead, declare that you have a right. If you are unwilling to declare your rights, then you have none.

If you must, ask her why she has a certain type of car...that you can't see why she NEEDS one of those when she could ride the bus. Does she have a stereo in her home? Can she prove that she NEEDS one? Can she prove that she needs a home computer? Yes? Then she wouldn't mind the burden of computer licensing and computer registration, and waiting periods and back ground checks, etc...

Does she wear a seat belt when she drives? (this one borrowed from John Ross) Does she wear it primarily because it makes her FEEL a certain way? Or is it a logical and rational safety precaution when driving a car at 60 MPH?

Then if things get shrill, does she wear that seat belt because she intends to go out and get into an accident? Possibly looking for it...maybe she has some crazed fantasy of rolling/flipping/jumping her car like some cheap Steven Cannel TV show?

Does she have a RIGHT to draw breath? Can she prove that she NEEDS to breathe more than, say, six times per minute? Or does she believe she has some NEED to contribute to global warming.....?

Don't let the anti's set the terms for the debate. If you do, you have already lost.

 

[Tinker]

Chris,

You might mention to your friend about another shooting in your state back in about 2002. This one was at the Appalacian School of Law. Firearms, bravery and quick action nipped one of these rampages in the bud. As soon as the nut started shooting two students ran to thier cars, got thier guns, went back in and got the drop on the shooter before he could continue his carnage. He was only able to shoot three before he was stopped by these guys. I would say this event makes the argument for citizens carrying.

 

[Caimlas]

How about: I need multiple varieties of firearms for different purposes? I'm not going to shoot at 100+ yards with a pistol. I'm not going to do tactical drills or shooting under 20 feet with a scoped rifle. I'm not going to try and take a bear with a .243, and neither am I going to hunt prairie dogs with a .700 Winmag. I'm not going to plink with rounds that cost $0.50 each or more, particularly when I like to shoot at least 500 rounds a week. Any number of things...

Why do you need ski boots to go skiing? Just wear your Sketchers. Why do you need fancy high-heeled shoes to go out for dinner? Just wear your slippers.

 

[Outlaw Man]

Ask her why people need to talk that much.

Of course, you could replace that with any right we enjoy. Most any of them will probably get you farther than freedom of speech, since she'll probably take that as you commenting on her nagging.

 

[tank mechanic]

Does she wear a seat belt when she drives?

I really like this retort. It would definitely take the steam out of their argument.

 

[geekWithA.45]

"Why do people need that many guns?"

To arm your friends and neighbors when it's time to fight the zombies.

 

[El Tejon]

Tell her the truth, tell it's about freedom. "Need" is the talk of tyrants. The answer is "because I want that many."

I have no need for books, or religion, or speech. I will not give others any authority to tell me what I do and do not "need."

Set her straight, it will make sense to her later if not now.

 

[30 cal slob]

To arm your friends and neighbors when it's time to fight the zombies.

Pfffft. My friends and neighbors are on their own.

If they don't want to be zombie chow they should git their own damn boomsticks.

 

[kellyj00]

I have them for the engineering and craftsmanship of them.

I love watching guns in action. They're excellently engineered machines way ahead of their time, that's why I have the 1911. Even gun history is amazing, it's like someone comes up with a good idea (like the metallic cartridge, the semi-automatic pistol, the gas-operated rifle, the polymer frame) and everyone else kinda follows it.

For me, it's a neat little subject...just like some fellas really get into classic cars and can tell you the difference between a 57 and 58 corvette, I like to know the difference between a glock 17 and a glock 19. How much horsepower does a 350 chevy motor have stock vs the muzzle velocity of a stock .45acp hardball.

Hope you see what I'm saying.

 

[xd9fan]

take this friend shooting

 

[NM234]

I get a similar thing for having multiple reptiles ("what are you some sort of weirdo? I can see owning your red-tailed boa constrictor because its sorta cool, but why do you have multiple animals?") and I respond that they each have their unique qualities that I appreciate, that it is a hobby of mine, I properly care for every single one, and they are all double secured (in their enclosures within a room which has been sealed off in a way to prevent escape). The same applies to guns, they each have unique qaulities to be admired. Also I would point out you can really only use one at a time (and with detachable magazines, correct me if I'm wrong I'm a newbie, there is really no big adavantage over drawing another one as opposed to putting in another magazine), even handguns (this is true? I heard from a friend of mines dad when I was younger that there is never any reason to use two handguns; using one is more effective). So thats something I would point out, one gun that is right for the situation is as deadly or as good for defending as a bunch of them. So there is no more danger in someone having more than a couple guns (I say danger because know the person you are speaking to is thinking of the few bad apples, less than 1% of the population will committ murder or another extremely violent crime (I'm not counting some guy getting into a bar fight)).

 

[quatin]

If a friend is asking you an honest question you might as well give an honest answer. At the very least we all have guns just for fun. If someone asks this question in a demeaning manner then you can say whatever you want.

 

[carterbeauford]

circular logic. he doesn't need to know why and what you need.

 

[MikeyLikesIt]

Why does she so many pairs of shoes?

 

[msimonds]

When I first wanted to get my CHL, my wife asked why do I need a gun and I tried to explain to her that it was not some sort of power feeling or would make me feel complete. I tried to explain to her that I wanted to be able to defend my family and myself, if it was ever needed. These days you just do not know. She finally understood and then one of her co-workers was mugged at gun point on the way home from work.

Now she has taken the Class and purchased a small .32 for her own protection when she works late nights. I feel that people feel safer and that it is not some sort of "self gratifying" feeling carrying.

Just my two cents......

 

[NM234]

a little bit off topic, but I once read by someone claiming to be a gun expert, that in revolvers the calibers in between the .22lr and the .38, and in automatics the cals between .22lr and 9mm were for one reason or another (I forget why) were bad choices? I don't get why this would be true, I'm hoping that someone in here could help me out with this one, I'm gonna try to find the web page that said it. I just thought of it when the .32 was mentioned.

 

[joab]

Does she wear a seat belt when she drives? (this one borrowed from John Ross) Does she wear it primarily because it makes her FEEL a certain way? Or is it a logical and rational safety precaution when driving a car at 60 MPH?

That argument doesn't work anymore, at least not in Florida
It's illegal to drive without your seatbelt on

 

[ZeSpectre]

I agree with other posters. The minute you let the other person herd you into the position where you have to prove your "need" to have something, they are already in control and railroading you into a loosing position.

You can point out literally hundreds of things that people have that they have no actual "need" to own (televisions, paintings, fancy furniture, most of the crap in the average kitchen, 300+ HP sports cars, etc).

Once you neutralize the "need" argument, the next defensive tactic the anti-type switches to (like clockwork) is that "guns are different because their only purpose is to kill".

I don't hunt and I have never had to shoot anyone (Thank God). Yet my guns get a LOT of use (Target practice, bullseye competition, cowboy action shooting, just plain old plinking to test my skills). The only thing a gun is designed to do is propel a projectile at high speed. The choice of using it for entertainment or killing is up to the user.

The next statement that comes out more often than not is "Well I just wish all the guns were gone". My response to that is usually "Well I wish all cigarettes and alcohol were gone but that's just a fantasy and I prefer to try and work with reality".

Last time I used that last one the conversation also transitioned nicely into a conversation about not punishing polite smokers and responsible social drinkers for the actions of "face blowers" and drunk drivers (a nice social parallel to not punishing the law-abiding gun owners for the actions of the sociopathic criminal).

 

[Big Calhoun]

MikeyLikesIt has it...why do women have so many shoes, or dresses, or stuffed animals, or dolls, cookbooks... Why do men have so many watches, or suits, or cigars, or baseball cards...

Because, 9 times out of 10, it's the appreciation of the craftmanship, history, and quality that goes into these things....whatever it is you happen to collect.

 

[whited]

.

"Why do people need that many guns?"

This is a question from someone who has never invested any actual
objective and critical thinking on the subject of guns and gun ownership.

Its an understandable sentiment, but sadly it is very difficult to discuss
the issue with anyone who has not spent the time to form a genuine
opinion.

I wish you luck. I usually go with the "its not a need" angle. The
"defend yourself" and "enjoyment" and "inanimate object" angles are
effective sometimes, too, as others have mentioned.

 

[News Shooter]

Unfortunately

Most antis never let facts or logic get in the way of their position.
I used the "Why do you have so many pair of shoes" argument on a co-worker.
For a second, just a second, her eyes glazed over. But then she just shook her head and said "that's different" and walked away.

I don't waste my time on them for the most part

 

[hso]

Never use the shoe argument. It's sexist and inaccurate.

When someone asks simply ask them if they know anyone that is a collector. Doesn't matter what they collect. Cars, stamps, dolls, old computers, action figures, doesn't matter.

They'll know someone.

Point out that some people collect firearms because they have an historical context. They're interested in the wars that their family members fought, and sometimes died, in and the guns they may have carried and those of the other nations in those wars.

Some people collect them because they admire the craftsmanship. The work of the designer and the craftsmen that build them. The same is true for old motorcycle collectors.

Some people collect them because they use them recreationally. They enjoy shooting them and there are so many different ranges and firearms to shoot that much like people that collect cookware they want every variant just to have.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I'd probably go with a two pronged approach.

Start off with the fact that you do because you can. Because I can, because it's my right to. I don't have to prove I "need" them at all.

But then go on to the next step. Don't just throw "RKBA!!! MOLON LABE!!!" at them and leave them thinking you're a psycho gun nut. Walk them through why you own the guns you do.

For example, my .308 is for deer hunting and my 870 is for shooting trap. My Glock 23 is for carry, my Phoenix .22 is because it's a good gun to start people off on because it isn't loud and it doesn't kick hard. My Beretta 92 is because I love the way it looks and 9mm is also cheap to shoot at the range. My Bushmaster is because it's a LOT of fun to shoot and it's a good house gun.

You don't need to "prove" why you own 12 AKs and 15 9mms and half a dozen 1911s and so on. But if you explain how you have different guns for different reasons, just like people have different shoes (or silverware or cars or music or whatever) and EXPLAIN the different reasons then maybe they will stop and think about it. Rather than just thinking you're a nut.