Gun Control & RKBA
In reply to the discussion: NYC: Empire State Shooting: ALL bystanders were shot by police [View all]AnJo1
(7 posts)but I can tell you why I want guns and the thousands of rounds of ammo I have for them.
I want and have a .22LR pistol for practice. The ammo is cheap (and cheaper still if purchased in bulk) so when it's on sale I buy a bunch, and try to keep about 5000 rounds on hand. (I buy rice, beans, flour, etc., in 25 lb. bags, too.) I can go through 100-200 rounds easily in one range session, especially if I take a a niece or nephew (they all shoot and it's a nice bonding activity), or a novice shooter friend along to introduce to the activity. (And every single friend has enjoyed it and come away with a new appreciation both for the sport and for the care that goes into safe firearm handling.)
I want and have a 9mm pistol for home defense. The ammo is more expensive, but I still need to practice with it, so go through about 50 rounds per practice session for me, and about the same for a companion. As always, I buy in bulk on sale, typically 4 boxes at a time of 250 rounds each. I try to keep about 2000-3000 rounds on hand. That gun's standard magazine holds 17 rounds, by the way, so some would consider it a "high capacity" magazine and try to ban it. I like it because I don't have to stop and reload the magazines as often when I'm at the range.
I have but don't much like a .380 pistol. If I can't figure out and fix why it keeps stovepiping, I'm getting rid of it. If it were reliable, I guess it would make an OK carry pistol but I'm not a fan of the caliber. I didn't buy it; got it from a friend in partial payment of a debt. Another thing some people would like to ban: The ability of private parties to buy and sell guns.
I want and am looking for a compact pistol for every-day carry. My current 9mm is just too big and heavy. I might get another 9mm but I might choose a .40 cal instead.
I want and have a .22LR rifle for small game hunting and rifle-shooting practice. It uses the same ammo as the .22LR pistol, so again, it's cheaper to practice with.
I have a couple of .30-30 rifles inherited from a parent. They're collector's items - never been shot, so I want a couple of other rifles for hunting purposes. And in the unlikely event I ever decide to live or work in an area potentially subject to total breakdown of police protection, as happened in LA in 1992 or New Orleans after Katrina.
I want and will probably someday get a revolver, just because I think they're interesting. Oh, and derringers are kind of cute. And 1911s have such historical significance. And then, once you've got a half-dozen or so, some people get bitten by the collector's bug and like a friend of mine, find themselves owning over 100 different guns.
Notice what's NOT on my list of reasons for having my guns: To shoot anybody who's not actively threatening to harm me or someone near me; to overthrow the government; to engage in vigilante actions; to shoot up schools, theaters, military bases, or other "gun-free zones" aka "crazies can shoot with impunity zones."