If you are "pro gun" but know someone with too many guns and/or firepower?

Question

For some people, no such thing as "too many" or "too much". I'm an NRA member. I used to be a highly competitive shooter & I still shoot frequently. This is what I own:
H&R Pardner: 20 gauge, single shot, modified choke (for busting clays)
Savage Mark I GSB: .22 single shot, smooth bore (for shooting rat shot)
Savage Mark I FVT: .22 single shot, peep sights (for informal competition)
Marlin 925M: .22 WMR (magnum) bolt action
Savage 64G: .22 semi-auto
Some of you are saying, oh my God, 5 guns, he's a gun nut! This question really isn't for you then...
Some of you are, a couple of 22's & a little single shot 20 gauge, he's not much of a man! I assure you I am.
Today I met someone who has "too any" & too much" he has no less than 50 rifles & 10 pistols. The "favorites" include M1A, basically a civilian version of the M-14.
Talking to him, you can see he's a little paranoid, he freely admits getting arrested & charged with menacing & aggravated harassment. You know guns are a bad mix for

him. I believe responsible, lawful and sane people should be allowed to own firearms. I think all firearms should be registered. If you weren't a criminal, what's the big deal? Clearly this guy shouldn't have a Daisy pellet gun, yet every dollar he can afford gets him more guns or 1000's of rounds of ammo. I may be "pro gun" but I realize when its gone too far.

The question is can you recognize and say "too much"?

Answer 1

The "Big deal" with registration is that it has always been followed sooner or later with some sort of confiscation.

Disarming the populace is not a matter of safety, though that is the usual excuse given. A defenseless population is the heart's desire of every crooked politician and would-be autocrat.

Answer 2

I have one gun. A entry level "competition" pellet gun. I am 18. I purchased the gun a few months ago. Before that, I had airsoft. I think I'm the only person who had airsoft who never shot at another living thing. I had a UHC Super 9 springer rifle. http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/model.pl?model_id=470
I later thought about upgrading to a UTG M324 Magnum http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/model.pl?model_id=869. Too much $$$ for what is essentially a toy.
Instead I got this... http://www.pyramydair.com/cgi-bin/model.pl?model_id=585
At some point I will graduate to a firearm. Have I met people who abuse guns? Sure. There is a system of laws to take care of that. I think anyone who has mental problems, like the VA Tech shooter needs to be prevented from purchasing firearms. Criminal records should in most cases prevent you from purchasing firearms in the future. If I knew how a system of checks and balances could be made to everyone's liking, I'd run for office tomorrow.
Too many? No. Too much? Maybe. It only takes one whacko with a .22 cause a tragedy. For them, airsoft is too much.

Answer 3

If your well armed buddy has not been convicted of any felony crime then his ownership and possession of the guns is legal. The kind of actions that resulted in the charges may well have nothing to do with guns. You can "menace" someone by simply shaking a fist in their face. I suspect some aggressive bill collectors could be charged with Aggravated Harassment.

You do not need a gun to be dangerous. The 9/11 terrorists didn't have a single gun among them, but still killed over 3,000 innocents.

I own 38 weapons, only two of them are .22 rifles (reserved for my Grand kids). The rest are large and powerful handguns, rifles, and shotguns. I am looking to add a Colt King Cobra, a 45-70 Sharps rifle, and a Browning Hi-Power to my growing collection.

Answer 4

One mans idea of paranoia is another's idea of security.
I am an NRA member and a member of an unorganized state militia.
I own several firearms (not 50 and 10..) But I do have a different gun for different purposes..

You've never shot a black rifle have you? For me it is recreation, protection and security.
I have two semi auto service rifles. A Homebuilt CAR15, and an SKS for ripping paper.
I have two pistols a 9mm and a 22 caliber
I have one High Power rifle for deer
I have a 12 gauge pump and a 20 gauge pump.

Guns and anger are a poor mix. Guns are not the inherent problem it is the person who does not hold the responsibility well that is the problem.

I don't believe it's paranoid to be prepared. I believe it is wrong to use a gun to force my will on someone else, but I do believe we all have the right and authority to defend ourselves, our family and our property.

We all need to keep this snippet in mind as to our responsibility as a citizen of the United States:

--That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. —

Many politicians would prefer to see an unarmed populace as they are easier to control. I believe that it should be that every able bodied person over the age of 18 should own and know how to use a firearm. I do believe we have too many laws and not enough weapons. You can never have enough ammo..

Answer 5

Would you feel more secure if this fruitcake only had a couple of guns? After all as others have said he can only shoot one at a time. A nut job with a 12 gauge in hand is just as dangerous to the unarmed as a nut job with an aresenal at home. Frankly to me a nut job with ANY weapons is dangerous, but I also don't think that I am (or you!!) are qualified to determine someones mental health.

If he has been arrested and has a felony conviction, he shouldn't have any guns, until then he is entitled under the law to own as many as he would like. And always remember the old saying, "I may be paranoid, but that doesn't mean they aren't out to get me!"

Answer 6

There's no such thing as too many. They are tools, period.

There should never be any kind of regisration - its no ones business. Yes to the background check and even having to pass a safety course first - but no "black list" of firearms owners.

To me, you're the one that sounds paranoid. The number or style of firearms you own relects nothing about you or your intentions. NOTHING. To think otherwise means YOU are projecting.

A resounding number of crimes are committed with .22's - hardly any are committed with high power rifles. Whats wrong with having a M1A, Garand, AR15, or AK-clone? Nothing! Its protected by the Second Amendment, and they're just rifles - nothing more. Its the person holding them thats in control and has intent. If they're responsible, they could have a Howitzer for all I care - after all, Mr. 155mm is an "arm".

Answer 7

I noticed that NBC used the same video clip that they have used for over 30 years when reporting on a former student arrested because he had an "Arsenal" in his home. A collection of BB guns and an "assault" weapon (not otherwise identified) for which he had no ammunition. They also claimed he had a live grenade which doesn't seem likely.

They devoted a lot of time to the story, tied in Columbine but have been censoring the Crandon Massacre because it doesn't fit their agenda.

Your friend can, as pointed out, use one firearm at a time.

M1A is 30-06, semi-auto M-14 is 7.62 NATO semi or full auto.

Answer 8

So the guy's wierd and makes you nervous. We all know somebody like that, but in the US, we presume innocence until somebody's convicted. If there's a real concern about his mental stability, there's also a mechanism to force a mental health screening and psychiatric commitment (I have to evaluate and sign off on these people periodically). Before you go taking away somebody's civil rights, you might want to be a little cautious about the risks of over-arching governmental intervention. That, expanded, includes registration schemes, which do nothing to limit crime but do open us up for excesses of a government that I trust less than the occasional wierdo. And I went for years with only one shotgun and only one rifle, but as I was able, I added two or three dozen firearms. To each his own.

Answer 9

I don't think the question is too many guns, it is attitude. Like you, I own quite a few guns but obviously we have no intention of overthrowing the government nor attacking our fellow citizens. For a person with the attitude that you ascribe to this acquaintance, one gun is too many. I don't know if I would trust him with a stick, let alone a gun. He obviously has some serious issues and could represent a real danger to anyone who crosses him. He is a man looking for a reason to use his guns. If I were you, I'd go talk to the Chief of Police in your town and tell him what you know. They need to be aware of this ticking time bomb; not because of his guns but because of his mental attitude and the likelyhood that he will misuse them or any weapon that he can get his hands on. Who knows, you or a member of your family could be his first target if you are around when he snaps.

Answer 10

I have a vast collection all stored in a safe area. More weapons than I care to count, spare parts, and tens of thousands of rounds of ammo. People seem to think that law and order is a given but it can easily revert to dog eat dog at any time for any number of reasons. I have a family and I have designed my home for ultimate protection should anything crazy ever happen.

I can imagine that many people would think I am some kind of NWO wacko, but that's not the case. I rest assured that I have a more than suitable collection should the need ever arise to protect my land and my family

Answer 11

please do your self a favor and never come over and look at my collection of firearms or ammo
currently have 127 rifles (only 1 is a 22Lr) 3 shotguns and 16 pistols and well over 50k rounds of ammo not paranoid just like to shoot can find me at the range any weekend :)
most are bolt action rifles 22 hornet - 404 jefferys
including a 45/70, 50/70, and 45/110 sharps