You don't NEED Another Gun (Stop Buying Guns?)

Why So Many Guns? 

Why do we own so many guns? I love analyzing this question because we each gravitate to firearms for different reasons. Often, you find folks purchase firearms for the following reasons: 

1.) Historical Context. Many folks love the history of firearms, the stories, and they want to keep the history alive. 

2.) Engineering interest. I find guns fascinating from an engineering standpoint. I love learning about how they work, why they work, and the pitfalls of each design. I know many folks would purchase firearms for the same reason. 

3.) Our nation was won and built because of riflemen. Our DNA is packed with this history, and as a nation that values liberty, we gravitate towards the tools to keep it. 

4.) Guns are simply fun. Some folks just love to shoot. There's nothing wrong with that either. Spending a day on the range is great for everyone involved. It's a perfectly fine pass time. 

5.) Hunting Culture. Our nation also has a rich hunting heritage. For that reason, many people collect hunting arms to bag different types of game. 

6.) The Prepared Citizen. Folks want to be capable of defending their lives. For that reason, many people have multiple concealed carry firearms, and that even extends to rifles for home and property defense. Look no further than 2020 and the riots in the months and years following. Many of us realized that mobs are a very real threat, and sometimes a handgun is just not enough. 

7.) Preppers. Our people love autonomy and being prepared for disaster. This extends far beyond firearms. 

8.) The True 2A advocates. These folks are passionate about the right to own arms, they often engage in furthering the message of liberty, and sometimes are the highest trained among us. Once you align your life purpose with the furtherance of liberty, the way you view firearms changes dramatically. 

These are by far not the only reasons people purchase firearms, but this covers many of the reasons people will get interested and involved with them. 

What is the danger of a collectors mentality? 

There is a danger in amassing a collection of guns without purpose. The first concern is financial risk. Firearms and gear is a big investment. When you spread that investment over a pile of firearms, you risk overextending yourself financially, and in turn will often not have dialed in weapons. There is a higher tendency in our experience to plink and tinker instead of train with purpose. Further, we can fool ourselves into believing we are prepared, when our skills to not match our impression and belief of our skills. Owning the tool does not make you capable. Often folks with many guns will have many "partial" builds. Meaning they are missing key components that a quality, purposeful build will possess. Lastly, when you have huge collection of firearms, it becomes much more difficult to dial in those firearms. It's harder to gather data, more expensive, and more time consuming. A guy with one rifle that he spends all his time with will likely be better and more dialed in than a guy with 20 random builds in safe. 

Breaking the Cycle and changing priorities

The best way to break this cycle is to start with defining WHAT your objectives are. That means starting with a plan. If your primary focus is concealed carry, then maybe hold off on a pile of rifles until you have yourself prepared properly with a sidearm. That's just one example to consider. When folks ask us where they should start, we typically lay out the following process. 

1.) Start with a quality handgun. 

2.) Become well trained with that single handgun. Get proper instruction, and put in the reps (dry fire and live fire) so that shooting your pistol becomes natural. 

3.) Buy only the gear you need to conceal carry. Hold off on all the other kit, focus on a quality holster and belt. Continue Training. 

4.) After you have your pistol dialed in, then do the same thing with a rifle. We often recommend a 16" Rifle for a first time rifle owner. It's more common, less restricted, and capable of close and long range use. 

5.) Every rifle should have the following in our opinion: A Quality sling, a quality white light, and a quality optic or red dot. 

6.) Feed your guns with quality range ammunition that mimics as closely as possible your defensive ammunition. Put in the reps, become well versed and well trained. 

7.) After you have your basic two firearms for defense, then consider complimentary gear. But only buy what helps you achieve your end goal. Maybe hold off on the plate carrier and chest rig until you have an outside the waistband belt. Just one example. This gear is expensive. Watch reviews, gather data. If your friends have some kit you are considering, try it out before buying. Learn from others and be willing to teach others. 

The biggest aspect of breaking the cycle begins with a plan. Too many people miss this step and the result is a bunch of guns that really serve no purpose. 

Why is training so important? 

Training with your firearms is the most critical component. There are huge legal and ethical ramifications of carrying and even owning firearms. We have a responsibility to be well educated and well trained. Further, if we are to teach others, we need to be an example they can follow and trust. You only teach someone to slightly below the skill level you possess, so let's make sure our skill level allows ample room for us to take new gun owners under our wings and help them get into the right spot. Further, defensive situations are often life and death scenarios. If we are faced with them, we need to possess the right foundation. Training falls right in alignment with being a part of the "well regulated militia". We need to be in proper, functional, and capable order. Being an example is another way we further our rights. Set the standard and help others to meet the standard you showcase. 

More than Just Guns

After you're trained and have your primary pistol and rifle, there are more skills to pursue that, in my opinion, are more important than more guns. Consider the following: 

1.) Do you have medical gear and have you taken basic first aid and a basic trauma course? You are far more likely to be first on the scene of a car accident then being involved in an incident with a firearm. Are you ready to help your fellow community members? 

2.) Knowledge and communication skills. Can you communicate your stance and rally people around a cause. Are you able to defend your position with grace, and try to bring people into the community? 

3.) Can you fix things? Have you learned how to work on your vehicle? Do you have general maintenance skills that apply to your house, cars, guns, and anything else you might encounter? You don't need to be a master mechanic, but skills outside of firearms are far more practical and useful in your day-to-day. 

4.) Do you have a vehicle that can get you out of sticky situations? 

5.) Are you learning to influence? Most people outsource influence to YouTubers or content creators. We forget that we interact with regular folks daily. You CAN and SHOULD have a lasting impact. Think of every person you interact with as another life you can change for the better. Often, this will not involve firearms. 

The Broader Message

I guess my broader argument is simply building a plan and then buying gear that compliments that plan. I know I made so many mistakes that cost me thousands of dollars and didn't help me in the long run. I hope blogs and videos like this help you to make wiser decisions and become more well rounded. If you found this blog helpful, please let me know. If you have questions, drop them down below. Just keep in mind, this is just one opinion. You might have a different one, which is fine. I'd still love to hear from you. If you find our content helpful, please consider purchasing some targets for your training. We appreciate you!