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Old August 18, 2013, 07:47 PM   #51
KyJim
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I haven't hunted for a long time, so I can take that out of the equation.

For me, I would want two full size handguns for home defense, one in my bedroom and one in my living area in my walkout basement. I would also want a mid-size handgun for concealed carry and a small handgun for concealed carry when the mid-sized gun would be too much.

Next, I would want a 12 gauge shotgun and, finally, an AR-15 just because you never know.

So, that's six guns that I would consider a bare minimum in my suburban type neighborhood. Oh yes, I would also throw in a .22 handgun and a .22 rifle just for practice and fun. That makes it eight.

That's less than I have and less than I'll keep.
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Old August 18, 2013, 08:24 PM   #52
cookie5
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At least 1.
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Old August 18, 2013, 08:40 PM   #53
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How many guns do you NEED?

I wouldn't want to be without a high quality .22 cal pellet rifle either. Good for small game and varmints. Low noise, inexpensive ammo, great option for urban setting or rural. At 1200+ fps great for when a rim fire 22 is not practical or these days economical. I grew up with one type or other in my hand. Old habits are hard to break and still enjoy shooting them. I wouldn't trade either one I have for a marlin 60 or Ruger 10/22.
As for AR15's I've never felt the need for one. Imo I have better calibers in Hi cap semi autos. and bolt action.
If you had to choose only one gun a shotgun for me would be it. Different shot loads, slugs, interchangeable barrels. Home defense, hunting any target shooting.
Luckily choosing one isn't necessary for now and hope it never is. Unfortunately some would like to see the maximum number to own zero.
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Old August 19, 2013, 01:19 PM   #54
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I don't need that many guns. Just one more. I seem to say that every time I buy another one. Lucky for me my wonderful wife is understanding of my hobbies.
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Last edited by m&p45acp10+1; August 19, 2013 at 05:16 PM.
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Old August 19, 2013, 02:41 PM   #55
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The original question sounds like an opportunity for an interesting dinner party.

How many guns do you NEED?

For what?
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Old August 20, 2013, 12:32 PM   #56
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Whenever I hear this question, framed this way, it instantly shows that the questioner has no understanding of firearms as a hobby, and just barely understands firearms as a necessity (for certain people, such as police, etc.)

You might turn it around as ask them why they have any desire or concern about reducing other people's property to what they think is "needed".

Our state govts have set minimum wage standards. This, clearly is the amount of money that one "needs". Using the logic of the questioner, all the money they make above minimum wage ought to be open for others (including me) to decide if they should have it, after all, its more than they "need".

Taken to the most basic level, the only gun one needs is the one that one needs in their hands when they need it most. At that same, most basic level, one only needs enough clothing for survival today, only needs enough shelter for survival, and enough food to prevent starvation.

My wants are far above those minimum needs, and I would suggest to anyone who thinks my wants are unimportant, that they show us the way to a better life by living the example of only having what covers basic needs.

There are very, very few willing to do that. And I'm NOT one.
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Old August 20, 2013, 02:06 PM   #57
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What's enough?

Homer: Mr. Burns, you're the richest man I know.

Burns: Yes, but I'd trade it all for a little more.
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Old August 20, 2013, 03:06 PM   #58
zukiphile
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Someone might ask you how much coffee you need, and suggest one less than you've had. (That's a joke - not an insult.)

The question posed at dinner was,

" I mean, how many guns does a person need?"

That's a great question and it can come from innocent curiosity. Describe to a table of wives how shooting lets you relax and re-focus, how it keeps you from sitting around watching football in the fall,and how your wife finds you more tolerable after, and you might produce a table of women who would answer that question, "As many as my husband needs to keep an interest in shooting."

Plus, you might be invited back for dinner again someday.

Last edited by Evan Thomas; August 20, 2013 at 04:39 PM. Reason: removed reference to deleted post.
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Old August 20, 2013, 03:36 PM   #59
BornToLooze
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Lets see:
Summer carry gun
Backup summer carry gun
Winter carry gun
Backup winter carry gun
HD shotgun
HD rifle
HD handgun
Folding stock rifle and shotgun to keep in my trunk, just in case
Folding stock rifle and shotgun to keep in my wife's trunk, just in case
Long range high caliber bolt action
.22
.22 put up for my son
.22 put up for my daughter
Revolver to teach my wife to shoot.
Something fully automatic to try and take care of the hog problem at my dads deer camp
1860 Henry for sentimental reasons
2 .22s I got from my grandfather when he died.


And you know, reading this, I need a lot more money.
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Old August 20, 2013, 05:46 PM   #60
whipper
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How many guns do you NEED?

However many makes you happy.
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Old August 20, 2013, 07:08 PM   #61
Justice06RR
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My logical answer is 2. One pistol and one long gun (rifle or shotgun).

But my real answer is as many as you can get!
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Old August 20, 2013, 09:10 PM   #62
ripnbst
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How many guns do you NEED?

Five

12 GA Shotgun (3" chamber, smooth bore, removable chokes)
.308(or .30-06) scoped bolt gun
5.56 AR
.22 rifle
Compact handgun in 9mm (G19, M&P 9c, etc)

With the above I could stop the heart beat of anything in North America.

Last edited by ripnbst; August 20, 2013 at 09:15 PM.
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Old August 20, 2013, 09:22 PM   #63
4runnerman
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While what I say here is not the truth,It worked on the wife. I need this for coyote hunting.

223 for 25 to 100 yards
22-250 for 100 to 200 yards
243 for 200 to 400 yards
308 for 400 to 600 yards
6MMBR for 600 yards and beyond I had to choke on that one,as her first question was-- Your going to carry that around?.

Also 2 10/22 so we can shoot together and one SW MP15-22 for fun


Now I need to start with the pistol stories..
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Old August 20, 2013, 09:48 PM   #64
Revan
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Doesn't matter how many I have I will always need one more.
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Old August 21, 2013, 03:16 AM   #65
Guy B. Meredith
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I'm going with at least one for each type of shooting. Add one or two extras with features for differing match conditions or hunting conditons. At least one version of historical firearms that are of interest. At least one for home defense, a few variations for carry.

That comes to...uh, a whole lot more than I have.
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Old August 21, 2013, 04:31 AM   #66
darkgael
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need?

"Need" , as noted earlier, is a very dangerous word. In the wrong hands, it can cause untold damage to ideals and rights.
When someone starts with "nèed", they are usually telling you what they need and projecting that onto your life.
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Old August 21, 2013, 10:59 PM   #67
kilimanjaro
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What we really need is less people telling us what we need.
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Old August 22, 2013, 10:19 AM   #68
madmo44mag
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The question was "how many guns does someone really need?"

Well I am a VERY needy person.
I need them ALL.
If it uses gun powder I need an example of that gun.
Guns to me are like a pet.
They need to be loved, cared for and taken out and exercised regularly.
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Old August 22, 2013, 12:32 PM   #69
bikerbill
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That's a question with a diffferent answer for everyone .. I have more than enough guns to fill my needs ... but there are ton of guns I just want ...

Love the quote from The Simpsons ...
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Old August 22, 2013, 07:36 PM   #70
coronatj
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Jeez....I haven't picked up my last purchase yet, and I'm thinking about my next one.

I look at it more as collecting than anything else as I don't hunt. But I do need a bolt action and semi auto .22 rifle. I keep going back and forth on this one.

So at least 2 more, plus a semi auto tac shotgun. Probably a lever action something, I haven't decided on the caliber yet.

And, probably another.22 pistol.

And a 1911 at some point.

oy.
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Old August 25, 2013, 05:43 PM   #71
BlackDogBrewing
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I (only) have 5, which covers any scenario I could ever need. That being said, no matter how many I have, I will always want 1 more...
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Old August 25, 2013, 08:12 PM   #72
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Regarding Enfields, six-partly to protect these unique military rifles from those who cut, drill, slice, chop up those which are still in good condition.

Aside from that, just enough guns to help shoot my approx. 10,000 rds. of centerfire ammo.
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Old August 26, 2013, 12:36 AM   #73
Tejicano
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Need? That is a question I will never answer because it is applied from wrong thinking.

I like to reply by asking "Why do you need a car which goes faster than 80 MPH? Isn't that dangerous? Shouldn't your car be government regulated to go no faster than the speed limit? "

"Why do you need sound equipment which can be louder than you can comfortably listen to it in your home? Isn't that creating a disturbance for your neighbors?"

"Why do you need to eat more calories than your body requires to live? Doesn't that deprive others who need the food more while creating a health risk for yourself?"

We live in a country which the system of government was founded on freedom. The question of "need" should be to establish the minimums, not the maximums.
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Old August 26, 2013, 08:18 AM   #74
Skans
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Right this very moment, my answer would be "ZERO".

Depending on who asks me how many guns I really need, my replies will be:

"How large of a house do you really need"
"How many children do you really need"
"How many pairs of shoes do you really need"
"How much education do you really need"
"How much food do you really need"

Oh, and by the way, there is no constitutional protection saying your right to have a large house, have children, own shoes, obtain an education, or have food shall not be infringed upon by the government.
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Old August 26, 2013, 08:42 AM   #75
Herr Walther
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I need as many as I can get.

What I use on a regular basis is quite different.

A 12ga. defense shotgun

A large frame semi-automatic 9mm or .45ACP

A small 9mmk or 9mm for deep concealment.

A 7,62x51mm semi-automatic military rifle.
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