Disclaimer: this is a blog - a diary of my thoughts on things related to firearms. This is not intended to be a definitive guide to legal issues on firearms. These are my opinions, as they have been formed through my own private research & analysis. Do your own research. Consider this one data point.
Firearms Myth 5: Lots of <ammo or guns> means a person has malicious intent.
I'm sure you've heard it before or have read it. Some news article is released about someone who owns a lot of ammunition or firearms, and the speculation stirs:
"What were they planning to do with all those firearms?"
"Why would someone need all those firearms?"
"Why did they have all that ammunition?"
"What kind of person does that?"
The questions are often linked to an assumption that the only reason one would purchase & store numerous firearms or high quantities of ammunition, is if they had malicious intent. The media adds to the speculation - they must have been up to something - planning an attack, maybe selling firearms on the black market, maybe a crazy person storing up for armageddon.
That's all bogus. Statistically speaking, it is believed that 1/3 of US Households contain a firearm owner, and it is estimated that the average number of firearms owned by any one gun owner, is 8. Yep, 1 out of every 3 houses on your street contains around 8 firearms. If you store some range and defense ammunition for each firearm - let's just say 100 rounds (that's 2 regular sized boxes of bulk ammo), that's at least 800 rounds. 100 rounds lasts you maybe an hour at the range, so it's likely you'l store a few hundred rounds per firearm to begin with. Let's say you bought one of the bulk cases of ammunition for each of those firearms at 500 rounds each. That quickly builds up to 4,000+ rounds. Maybe your local firearm shop has a holiday sale and a case of bulk ammunition is marked at a significant discount. The cost conscious person might choose to buy another case now to save money over the year or years. Let's say there was a threat by the federal government to ban a certain type of ammunition that particular owner cherishes and they order 4 bulk cases. You can see how ammunition numbers can add up quickly. 10,000 rounds of ammunition is suddenly...actually quite reasonable.
In the initial months following the inauguration of president Obama, federal agencies began buying up ammunition at incredible rates. It became known that a policy of the administration was to create a supply problem among the public by using federal agencies to purchase all available ammunition at a rate that exceeded production. This was a method used to try to curb gun ownership without passing legislation. Ammunition became scarce and prices soared...so people stored up. They bought everything they could find, and in large quantities because they didn't know if or when supply would normalize. Fortunately, manufacturing caught up, and public scrutiny on these federal purchases caused the administration to back down. One of the results now, was people with large quantities of ammunition stored, and the concern that it could happen again - thus driving more bulk buying.
Ok, ammo makes sense, but wait...what about that estimate of 8 firearms per gun owner in America. Isn't that extreme? Why so many?
Simple. Let's say you start your journey into firearms ownership, as most people do, for personal defense reasons. You do your research, and decide a pistol fits your needs. Not sure where to start, but the store clerk recommends a Glock 19 as a good all-around pistol. Great. Purchase #1. You take it to the range, and enjoy shooting it. You get pretty good. But, it doesn't feel exactly the way you hoped it would in your carry option and you either plan to concealed carry (legally) in public or at home. Then, a manufacturer comes out with a new model that looks better; a slim package that feels great in your hand. M&P Shield becomes purchase #2. You take it to the range, and realize shooting is just fun period. Soon, you start inviting friends, and one of your friends brings along a rifle. You try it out and realize rifle shooting is fun too. You do your research, and decide to purchase something easy to shoot and readily available, let's say an AR-15. Great. Purchase #3. You love shooting it, and while at the range, you see people shooting clay targets with shotguns. Mossberg 500 is purchase #4.
See where I'm going with this? It adds up fast. Let's say you become so interested, you want to buy one firearm of each of the major designs:
1. Striker fired semi-automatic pistol
2. Hammer fired semi-automatic pistol
3. Revolver
4. Semi-automatic rifle
5. Shotgun
6. Bolt action rifle
7. Lever action rifle
8. Rimfire rifle
That's 8. If you plus 1 any of those categories, let's say for another caliber choice or frame size in the same function category, that easily gets you beyond the national average.
Is that extreme? Well, let's compare it to other sports. Let's pick on golf. Does a golfer hit the course with 1 club? Nope. He hits the range geared up with a bag that contains likely 10-11 clubs. Each club is intended for a different purpose. How about someone passionate about physical fitness. Do they purchase 1 exercise tool or 1 weight? Nope. Often times, they have multiple exercise platforms and multiple weights. I've known people who transformed their entire garage into a personal gym. I've known others who simply transform a room with a multi-purpose set, a stationary bike, some free weights, and maybe a yoga ball & some other accessories. What about a mechanic or wood worker? They don't just buy 1 set of wrenches or 1 saw. They have loads and loads of tools for different functions & capabilities. All of these different tools are designed for different purposes and we have no problem with bikers with multiple bikes, exercise buffs with loads of gear, golfers with 10, 11, 15, 20 clubs etc.
So should be true with firearms. A .22 rimfire is great for cheap, fun plinking or for beginners. 9mm is a great all-purpose round. Semi-automatic pistols are great all-around platforms but come in many shapes & configurations depending upon use. Then there's rifles of various types & calibers. There are lots of these "tools" and lots of them are collectables. It's totally normal for a firearm owner to have several firearms.
Let's explore this along another common path: hunting. You start with an interest in deer hunting and looking at your options, settle on a bolt-action rifle in a moderate caliber, say a Remington 700 in .270. Great, gun #1. You start practicing at the range and have a lot of fun. You realize having a sidearm while out on the hunt is probably a good idea (and recommended by your hunting buddies). You look around and choose a revolver because of the higher caliber options available to you, and since you plan on being out in the woods, who knows what you might encounter. You need 100% reliability. That shot must go off. Smith & Wesson 629 becomes gun #2. This combination works for a while, then a friend of yours invites you turkey hunting...gunna need a shotgun. Mossberg 930 becomes gun #3. That works. Now you want to have some fun, cost-effective plinking time in the off-season to continue maturing your skills. Enter Ruger 10/22 and gun #4. After a few years, you decide to up your game again and go for elk. You'll need a larger caliber...let's say a Ruger American in .308. Gun #5. See what I mean? Yeah, but that's a hunter, you say.
How about military (active or inactive)? You were trained to shoot and love it. Let's assume you start with what's familiar: an AR-15, a Beretta 92, and a 1911. That's 3 just to start. In fact, I've had friends who gifted other friends firearms as a military retirement gift. Let's say you want to do some distance shooting and add a bolt-action rifle with a scope to the mix. Now you are half the national average at 4 and loving it...but you're also interested in all those "plastic" guns you see around like Glocks or M&Ps or XDs etc. Don't look now, but you are close to the perception of being dangerous with 5 guns. Yeah, but that's military people, you say.
What about people who are history buffs and love the old west? Single action Ruger Vaquero, Marlin 1894 lever action rifle, and a Stoeger coach gun puts you just shy of the national average and still equipped to have some fun & competitive Cowboy Action shooting. Plus 1 spare or backup and you are one your way to getting sideways glances from the media. Then someone comes along with a rare piece of history - a 1911 that dates back to WWII era manufacturing. There's #4. But you say there aren't that many people out there like that.
What if you are the son or daughter of a hunter and you grew up shooting with your family. You have one or two firearms of your own that were perhaps purchased for you. Then, one day, you choose to buy one of your choice - just for you. That's 3. Then, your father passes away and leaves you with his collection of 8 firearms...well you just jumped the national average overnight. Does that really happen, you ask? Yep.
What about that person who just wants a firearm for self defense only. A woman who wants to ensure she always has the upper hand when danger comes lurking. Maybe a man who thinks it's a good idea to have a firearm in the house to protect his family...just a good idea. Cool, both people will start with 1 and may stay there. But, according to national averages, that's the rare exception. Maybe they decide their spouse or significant other should be armed as well. That's 2, and if you enjoy the sport, watch out.
Bottom line is, it's very reasonable and normal for a person to own 4-10 firearms and with those firearms, thousands and thousands, maybe ten-thousand rounds of ammunition or more.
All of these categories of people are normal, every-day, law abiding citizens who purchase legally, are responsible owners, and shoot regularly. They mean no harm and have no malicious intent. Yet they own what the media or non-gun owners would consider a large number of firearms. Should we roll our eyes at them and ask questions assuming malicious intent? No! Why would we assume the worst in each other?
At the end of the day, it's the person's actions or influences we should be concerned about, not the tool or the quantity of tools.
No comments:
Post a Comment