what type of gun owner are you?

I'm a practical firearm owner. 3 rifles one for deer, one for fox and one for rabbit/plinking. Shotguns for game, and a fowl/pigeon. My shotgun collect includes a few side x sides as a shotgun is much easier to obtain in the UK.

My WW2 pistol collection got handed in to the Police in the late 1990's when the lame government of the day shat on us.

I work as a gunsmith building AK47s. I'm just now really getting into collecting guns (I'm only 19). If I see a good deal on a gun, I buy it. I also think about things that other people may not, such as an end of the world situation. What would I want to have? No matter what you're doing with guns, they are an investment and most will only increase in value. I have a Romanian AK47 with quad rail, front grip, and a Tapco T6 collapsible stock. I have a 1943 Mosin Nagant 91/30, ex sniper, with a bent bolt and a monte carlo stock. I have been wanting a Ruger 10/22 for a while but I cheaped out and bought a Mossberg 702 Plinkster (almost identical). I also have a DSA FAL on the way.

I only have a picture of my AK...I can't find my camera anywhere.

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/3897/sak47.jpg

Can't get enough.

I hunt, target shoot, and do amateur gun smithing. When I have the money I go to the range either the indoor 25 yard or 100 yard outdoor range. When I have the time and money I'll tinker: trigger jobs, refinishing, metal work, smoothing up the action, sight re-alignment. I do it all. Rarely will I encounter a problem where I have to take it to a gun smith.

I have a stack of gun magazine that I read each one at least three times. I have about eight or nine Shooter's Bibles from the 60s/70s I've read a few times.

I'm an opportunity hunter too. I hunt what ever is legal with my gun or a gun I can borrow. I've hunted with scoped rifles, iron sight rifles, shotguns, pistols, bows, muzzle loader.

Hell, Sometimes I just get the urge to take a gun off the rack just to hold it.

I am a hobbyist that changes guns like I change my cloths. being raise in a gun friendly home and taught to shoot an hunt at an early age, I have built a great hobby out of it in the last couple years. I own about 12 guns at the moment but you can't expect me to have those same guns or that same number next month. I am always searching for something new so I broaden my knowledge of specific guns and how they perform. I hunt about once a year but I go shooting on average 3-5 times a month. as much as I handle and study my guns they would appear as toys but guns are all business and meant to be used so I would say they are tools is the correct term.

I've been around guns my whole life, and will be the rest of my life fellow Citizens and Government willing.

I own guns for hunting, varminting, and self-defense, but what I really like are WWI vintage and newer military surplus rifles. Mostly, I just like to target shoot with a rifle. I've been doing more target shooting and less hunting over the past few years.

I mainly go for surplus rifles chambered in common rounds such as 30-06, 8x57, 7.62x54R, etc. A mil-surp doesn't have to be a numbers matching, perfect collectible for me. I just want a good shooter that's in it's original configuration. I do minor restoration on some, others are left as is.

A few short years ago my "collection" had become smaller in size as I sold off what I didn't shoot often or like enough. Lately I've been building my collection back up with a vengeance.

Deer and duck hunting early in life, .30-30 lever, 30-06 bolt and 12ga, combined with a .22 rifle for practice and plinking. Then I moved into a profession where the 1911 was standard issue, then a love of all handguns grew my collection. Later I learned to love military surplus rifles, starting with the 1903 and M1, expanding into every bolt gun used in WWII by a major power. Lately I've been silhouette shooting with bolt action .22s. I don't have much used for pretty, decorated collectible limited edition engraved numbers, but it it goes boom I likely have it or traded it at some point.

I own a bolt action savage .270 winchester rifle. I use it mostly as a tool but i have fun with it too. By fun I mean shooting beer cans from 100yds with a couple friends. But then again not really playing practicing for the field. A gun is a type of tool that takes practice and skill to use properly.

IMO I think everyone that is stable and willing to take the time to learn their weapons and be safe with them should own at least three guns. A shotgun for HD, a handgun for carry and self defense and a 5.56 carbine for w.e the need may be. I know people that own tons of guns but me personally I will only own three or four. I love weapons and I love our Second Amendment Rights but I just don't have the need, use or funds to have more. Honestly even if I had the money I probably would stick to three or four. As for your question, guns are tools but can also be real fun given depending on the application.

I'm a history buff. I grew up hearing stories about WWII, Korea, and Vietnam from older gentlemen, friends of the family, relatives, etc. I was always intrigued. The South Bay of Los Angeles where I spent my childhood was full of defense contractors at that time, and thus, very Ronald Reagan and very gun friendly. Everyone on the block worked at a shipyard or was part of a missle program. I thought of gun ownership as a patriotic rite of passage, not something to be afraid of. My gun collections reflects the books I read and stories I heard: the 1911, the AR15, the Mosin Nagants, etc. I shoot them for the fun of shooting them.

I also have a handful of 'utilitarian' guns, i.e., long guns for hunting, home defense, and so forth. Although I keep those at constant readiness, I have to admit those have the lowest mileage in my collection. They are, as you say, 'tools'.

When I owned guns, the simple thought of having one nearby had to do with the need to feel secure.

I never really soul-searched as to whether or not I would be willing to use it, never thought about it when someone made a threatening gesture, and etc.

I guess what I mean is that if you do need one, you won't necessarily have time to run to the store and get one, then return to the scene of danger. I guess that is the same mentality as someone stockpiling canned food. It was just to have on-hand in the case of need... so many "important" situations that call for one, such as military, civil defense, etc.

I don't own any now, though. Had to sell 'em off to pay bills, and haven't looked back.