Why the interest in guns?

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Thanks Werewolf, I'm glad you picked up on that. I can assure everyone that in this case it was not a 'passive aggressive' question...it was a genuine interest as I've said before. This family member has given firearms and ammunition as gifts...not something one would do if one dissapproved of the activity. Do you not wonder about why people enjoy things? I cannot fathom women's interest in shopping and shoes...but asking why doesn't mean that I'm ridiculing their interest.

Anyhow, enough of that. It was just something that I'd never thought about, but it seems many of us share the same reasons.

I think 'Because guns are analog' is my favorite reason so far. :D
 
My girlfriend asked me the same question. I said that I like guns because they are a constant reminder of the sacrifices made by men and women before me that allow me to be petty and selfish and for all intents and purposes free. Plus they are fun and make for a great stress reliever. I think she got the point :cool:
 
And us monkeys seem hardwired to like to control explosions. Fireworks, demo charges and guns. I think it goes back to shaking our fists at the sky during thunderstorms.

After all, when we hold a gun we feel like G-d feels when He holds a gun. :D
 
Family shrink want's to know?

Tell her the family dog requires it of you, what does the dog demand of her for admission to the great everlasting?
:p
CT
 
I guess if all the men in my family had been into clothes and shoes and makeup I would have turned out differently.

John...who is really, really tired of folks who DEMAND an explanation and won't take "figure it out yourself" for an answer. :cool:
 
Sounds like a lot of people are saying What they like about guns instead of why they like them. There is a difference.
 
Male hominids evolved to use weapons for hunting, defense, and war. Is it any wonder that modern men enjoy firearms? Female hominids evolved to gather food, supplies, and other wealth. Is it any wonder that modern women enjoy shopping?

Personally, I’ve always been fascinated by weaponry (knives, swords, firearms, battleships, etc.). I own and train with firearms for this reason and because I recognize that the world can never be completely safe. I love my wife and daughter too much not to do so.

~G. Fink
 
I think i remember on an old post people were talking about why a lot of air plane pilots owned guns, for instance a higher percentage of airplane pilots owned guns compared to the percentage of school teachers who own guns.

they mentioned that carrying a gun CCW is a lot of times about control. Airplane pilots are also all about control.


perhaps people own guns to make them more in control?
 
Old Sam Colt said it best, "Be not afraid of any man, no matter what his size, when danger threaten call on me and I will equalize!"
 
Any idiot can point and click. Shooting a pistol well takes a basic amount of raw skill, plus lots of concentration, hard work, and plain old-fashioned practice. I've been at it three decades and longer now. I figure I shoot a bit better than average.
 
Why do I like guns? They light up and make noise!

Come to think of it, there's not a lot of things that wouldn't be better if they did that.
 
"they mentioned that carrying a gun CCW is a lot of times about control. Airplane pilots are also all about control."

Funny you should mention that.....I'm a pilot. Looks like I'm a **** control freak after all. ;)
 
Why I like guns : Answers to a psychologist


1) Didn't Freud say that fear of weapons is a sure sign of sexual immaturity? By the way, I love my guns, and what are you doing next weekend? <wink wink>

2) "A good psychologist would never ask a "why" question. They'd ask something nonthreatening like "What is it about guns that you find so appealing?" or "If you had to pick out certain qualities about guns that you find enjoyable, what might they be?"

3) "Mom didn't hug me enough"

4) "You aren't sounding very validating or unconditionally accepting of me right now".

P.S. I'm a therapist.
 
A lot of the replies so far express what I enjoy about guns. I'll add one more. To mis-quote Jeff Cooper--"show me a good marksman and I'll show you a good man. The essence of marksmanship is self disclipline. That is also the essence of being a good man."

I enjoy shooting as an exercise in self-disclipline.
 
It's exactly the opposite of the right question...

EVERYONE likes guns. Just look at the movies that are the most popular. They all involve guns, fighting, etc. These movies are liked by both men and women. EVERYONE likes guns. The questions really is: Why does'nt so and so like guns? Why are they so different from normal?
:neener:
 
Best response to the question is an invitation to the range to show them why.

"I can't really put it into words, why don't you come to the range with me and find out for yourself."


If they decline, then you have the opportunity to turn the discussion against them and focus on why they DON'T like guns ... which gives you the opportunity to educate them (assuming they actually want to learn)
 
Because they have a practical use. I enjoy existing and plan to go on doing so for as long as possible. Firearms can provide food, though we currently have other means of acquiring it, and protection.

Because I enjoy mechanics. It's interesting to figure out how a gun works, especially if you do it without any help. Because I enjoy fiddling with things.

They look nice. At least, most do.

History. There is a great deal of history in firearms, especially in the C&R rifles. It is hard to find a closer connection to WWII than a CMP Garand or a Russian capture Kar98K.

Because they are easy to use but hard to master. There is a great deal of work, physical and mental, in using a firearm effectively. It isn't easy holding a ten pound rifle steady, regulating your breathing, carefully squeezing a trigger, and concentrating on your front sight at the same time. I enjoy a challenge.

Because shooting guns is social. You shoot the bull, talk around, try out each other's stuff, etc.

Because there are those that would prevent me from doing so. When I find out that some people wanted to take away my ability to own firearms, I was angry. I didn't have any and I hadn't exactly thought about the need for one. But damnit, if I want to do something without hurting anyone else I should durn well be able to.

Because it's just plain fun. :D
 
Why I like guns;

Actually I like marksmanship and the art of shooting. I like the discipline, the focus and the fine tuning of a skill.

I like the people that share my interests. They are generally good upright people who are generous in sharing their knowledge and time to help others perfect their skills. They are pleasent people to be around and know how to disagree without being disagreable.

I like the bonding time with my sons. I like shooting with the older son because it's healthy competition and I like taking my younger son who has ADHD, to the range and watching him focus and concentrate on making every shot count. I like to see the pride on a twelve year olds face when the adult next to him moves to another lane because my boy is shooting a .45 and making him look bad.

I like the idea that if need be, I can do more to defend my family than call 911 and pray. I like that most members of my family can defend themselves if need be against any size aggressor.

It's not just the gun, it's a whole lifestyle that I find appealing.
 
I've tried to analogize it to golf- even if you're competing, the real competition is against yourself to improve your skills- it doesn't matter what or how the other guy is doing.

FWIW, I'm finding that I like archery as much if not more than shooting- as I reach middle age I am less attracted by the loud noise and inherent messiness of shooting.
 
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