Why do you like guns?

[boozoo]

I grew up with them.

In my early years, we lived in the middle of a farm out in the country (Texas Panhandle). Guns weren't just for sport - they were a necessity for coyotes, rabid skunks, rattlesnakes, rats, and anyone wearing a burnt orange Longhorns jersey.

But on top of that, Dad was a collector at a time when it didn't cost that much, and that tied my natural curiosity about history into things that go boom.

Now I'm as much fascinated with the collecting aspect as I am at proficiency and being able to fend for myself should the need arise.

That and I really enjoy pissing off liberals.

 

[HnK]

I have a love for mechanical objects. Guns, cars and machine shop equipment are my favorites. Grew up shooting and playing in the shop with dad and it just kind of stuck.

 

[Buckle]

I view target shooting to be another skilled recreation along the lines of throwing darts, bowling, golfing, shooting a basketball. It takes skill and expertise, and the payoff is the intellectual reward of achieving success. So it appeals to our competitive inclinations.
Plus, there is the appreciation for the engineering and design of the tool itself - not unlike appreciating the craftsmanship of a quality home or automobile, etc - and this can even be achieved while cleaning and/or disassembling a gun.

There are a number of reasons for being a gun enthusiast, and "killing" does not have to be one of those reasons.

Lastly, if you do invite someone to shoot for the first time (especially someone with an unfavorable opinion of guns), then I would suggest .22 rifles. Start slow, imho.

 

[fyver]

Because I'm an American.

Here, here!

 

[boozoo]

I have a love for mechanical objects. Guns, cars and machine shop equipment are my favorites. Grew up shooting and playing in the shop with dad and it just kind of stuck.

Sounds like we had similar experiences!

 

[HnK]

Sounds like we had similar experiences!

To bad more kids didn't grow up that way.

 

[Midskier]

I appreciate the engineering involved and the craftsmanship required to produce them

 

[BogWalker]

I'll admit it. I like hearing a loud boom and seeing the watermelons down range explode.

 

[Chr15topher]

It's ingrained in my DNA. I've never killed anything with a firearm as I don't hunt. My reasons...

1. Protection for my wife, son and I
2. Endorphins from target shooting
3. It's something that I can pass on to my 3 year old when he's an adult

 

[Chr15topher]

Guns are like breasts. I am just magically drawn to them. I don't know why I like them I just do.

Haha, this is great

 

[Tandor]

As many have said:

Skill building
able to refine a tool (sighting in)
protection
engineering behide the design
cleaning/taking care of your investment
legacy for your children

KNOWING YOU CAN HIT YOUR TARGET @25, 50 & 100 yards or more!!!!

 

[kludge]

Although I deer hunt, I definitely don't like killing things.

I find shooting to be relaxing/cathartic, like meditation. Block out the sound. Focus. Breathe. Press. Repeat. It's also a way to engage in friendly competition.

I'm also into it for the personal protection aspect and the 2nd Amendment aspect.

 

[surferfox72]

why do I like guns....because I can...its called being an American! Don't ever let anyone take that away from you ....ever!

 

[Danicus]

for me, firearms are a token of the rights that citizens are aloud to wield. and I like to have rights; in a nutshell guns make me feel free.

 

[SERparacord]

I just like shiny things, they tend to calm me down.

 

[Enkrypter]

and they just plain smell nice...

Hmmmm....Hoppe's number 9...Nice...

Right there with ya brother!

It's not a power trip. It's not for adrenaline junkies. If anything it's therapeutic.
It's an expensive hobby that captivates me. I'm not a mechanical person. I don't like to work on things with my hands, but put me in front of a firearm and I have a deep desire to know everything about it and know how to take it apart and put it back together. I also enjoy the history. Every gun has a story to tell. Most of those stories are etched into American history and I am not one to forget where we came from.

I too come form a non-gun family.

 

[Hookeye]

I'm both technical and artistic minded, so firearms are a nice blend.
Then there's the athletic aspect, subtle, but it's still there.
And throw in hunting, and we get biology, woodcraft etc in the mix.

Snow on the ground outside...............the smell of a freshly burnt WW 20 gauge hull after rolling Thumper is like a freakin' time machine back to my youth

It's the best smell in the world!

 

[burt gummer]

Wow all great answeres, now if my sis could understand that,

 

[Danicus]

firearms are like a token of freedom. to own and operate one is a massive responsibility, one that should only be taken up by a person who can show that they are capable of thinking freely, yet responsibly. so for me, guns show something of freedom and adulthood as well as a plethora of other fantastic things

 

[Dj15802]

That's easy..I grew up around them. I enjoy the challenge,skill building, not to mention we shoot as a family. Range time is excellent family time.