Reply to Why do you want to own a gun, rifle, automatic weapon?

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[quote=Anonymous]I own guns for multiple reasons, and hunting is not one of them. Note that these are again multiple reasons, we didn't buy our guns just for any one reason.

The wife and I bought our first gun several years ago due to what we saw as increased instability in the US and around the world - let me clarify by saying that we weren't afraid of an army of bad people coming to our door, but just a general increase of disruptive incidents in the country and the world as a whole that served as a small but enough of a catalyst to make the purchase decision. If the world turned chaotic, even if for just a few days, we wanted to have a way to protect ourselves. Again, not a major reason, a very small reason due to low risk of occurence, but it was the catalyst.

Another reason is that I see gun ownership as one of the few remaining areas where a US citizen can participate in the exercise of American Exceptionalism in terms of the balance of private rights and responsibility. A firearm is something with great destructive force, can be used either for defense or aggression. It is up to the individual owner to properly train himself in the safe handling of the firearm, to exercise reason and restraint in its use, and to secure it so that it is not used in a crime. Owning a firearm is a right that is infringed upon by most governments in the world, because most governments have seen fit to enforce rights/responsibilities by law than by individual freedom. I believe in the power and purpose of individual freedom, so it was important for me to exercise this right to the extent that I can.

Another reason is that I like tinkering with my hands. Many firearms are masterpieces of engineering and it's a joy to work on them. Similar to guys working on their cars, motorcycles, boats, etc. Again, not a major reason for owning a firearm, but one of the many.

Yet another reason is that I like shooting for target practice. The physical activity of improving my skill at handling a firearm is enjoyable to me. It's a challenge to improve my accuracy and hit targets at ever further distances. This is similar to any desire for people to engage in a sporting activity. Still not a major reason, but one of the many.

I'd like to think that I am a responsible gun owner. Before I bought my first gun I took a gun safety class and had several hours of range time to familiarize myself. All my guns are locked in safes and the safes are bolted down. I've taught my kids how to shoot a .22LR, but not any of the larger calibers until I believe they can safely handle them.

Recently I bought another rifle because of the increasing pressure to regulate their sale. I am glad that I live in VA and not MD. [/quote]

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