to go hunting, protection, reenactments, etc.

because they have a low IQ

To protect themselves against people who don't believe in guns.

Hunting, target shooting and protection are legitimate reasons.

To protect their lives and property, and the lives of loved ones. It also protects you from government oppression. More lives are saved by responsible gun owners than are taken by irresponsible and criminal gun use. Here is the only unbiased study of its kind on guns and gun laws ... http://books.google.com/books?id=K6dIvTFsDMkC&dq=John+R+Lott&pg=PP1&ots=iQO5tpNwX6&source=an&sig=nfZpvy3pD2YtdSSXxlhpjyaYM8Y&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result#PPP1,M1

Because some are legally allowed to and are responsible with a firearm -- some.

I don't understand it either. What have guns caused but death and blood-shed. They protect you yes. But at what expense? People buy guns to hunt, defend themself and look big while doing both. You can hunt with a bow-and-arrow and you can defend yourself with any blunt object.

Because it is a requirement of their job.

I'm sure there are a myriad of reasons for purchasing a firearm... some people like to hunt, some need to get one for a job, some want to learn how to shoot, some plan to do bad things of course... I, personally, want one for home protection. We are given the right to bear arms in America and I believe as a homeowner I have the right to protect myself.

Because stealing them is illegal.

To protect your family from robots. ... oh yeah, laugh now. They're coming. That you can count on.

To protect ourselves from the criminals who have illegal guns

security, and shooting at target practice is quite fun

Thankfully over here in Europe guns are illegal and having a gun ( exceptions as per norm ) or using it is criminal offence, though I must admit I would have liked one on a couple of occasions.

self protection...i really don't care if an intruder in my home has a gun, a knife, or just his dick in his hand...he's dead meat...in Florida we can legally shoot any intruder, no questions asked.

They aren't exactly free

I originally bought mine for trap shooting,but when a strange man walked into my house one afternoon,I was glad I had it for protection.

Because I can.

I don't know why ,truthfully ,for they only cause pain and death when used.I personally do not own one nor see the use for one.

because they aren't given away in boxes of cereal anymore.

I only know people who get guns to hunt for food. I suppose some get them thinking to protect themselves or their possessions, or some may get them to look cool.

Well, I hunt and actually got some delicious pheasant last weekend. I also own a revolver for target shooting, hunting and protection from large furry things with teeth when hiking.

To go hunting!!! Or to go shooting! My brother and his friends go shooting at the range every week!

To protect themselves mostly And pop someone off if someone breaks in their house!

In North America at the time of the first Landings on the Eastern sea board, the land was new and uncharted, and the only protection was through Forts and people with guns.Guns fast became the primary way of protection and for shooting game for survial. Hunting is still very much apart of Norrh American culture. And the second amendment gives all citizens the right to bear arm.

For protection! I bought my Bersa .380 when I lived alone, far from any family. If you were a single young female living in the city I lived in, you'd want protection too, trust me.

To make up for their very small penises.

To kill, to murder, and to intimidate.

sport,protection,collect them to name a few.

Sense of control and power... Since I received some minuses I'd like to add that those who think they buy guns simply just because they like them, should try to think deeper. A fascination with guns isn't quite the same as the fascination with cars. Although, there are shared factors, because cars (especially when they are fancy) are also about control and power. Those who think they just want one for protection need to concede to the fact that they are trying to protect themselves and their family, which is again about...control and power.

There are millions of gun owners in the world, and a wide array of reasons why they have chosen to own firearms. Some people carry on family traditions, some people hunt, some people target shoot. Many people have to be trained to own / handle a gun for thier profession. Many people buy a gun to protect thier home and thier family. Some people do have guns to commit crimes though they are rarely bought legally.

whatever reason it is.....I don't support gun ownership.....the world would be a better place without guns.Imagine what would happen if all governments can agree to get rid of guns within, say, three years. They should also put in place stiff policing to deal with anybody who produces guns....

Well I buy guns for a lot of different reasons. The first reason is for hunting. My second reason is to protect my family and the last reason is something that I can hand down to my son and he can hand do to his son....

A means to an adequate defense. It makes no sense to bring a knife to a gunfight. Why is it that those thousands of gun owners that possess their firearms responsibly buy them. It's the thugs that steal them and use them to steal more. Please note however, that before we started shooting each other we stabbed each other. Before that there was the club. Seems like we can't be trusted not to turn something into a weapon.

Most people buy guns because they don't know how to fight.Sad but True.

For hunting, target shooting, protection, reenactments, collecting among some of the reasons.

because they think the boogy man is going to get them when their asleep. their usually paranoid right wing rednecks. or hunting. but hunters are usually paranoid right wing rednecks too. atleast dick cheyney is.

to give them a false sense of security. I'm not anti-gun, but I also am not convinced most gun owners are any safer since it is very rare when that gun is actually used to save a life.

Mostly to piss off those who don't like it, since I already have so many I don't need anymore.

I have many guns. I bought them for all the previous reasons mentioned. Fact: A gun is a tool. A multi-purpose tool. Another fact: Tools don't kill people. People kill people. That is of course, unless you get between momma bear and her cubs, then bears kill people. :-) Am I a redneck? You bet I am. And I am living in a free country! Yup! Bought and paid for by the use of all sorts of weapons but mostly guns. Oh, and by the way. Crime has gone down and continues to go lower in the States that now honor Concealed Carry. Hmm.... Could that last statement be because criminals prefer their vitims to be unarmed?

Hunting, protection, competition, intrigue.... sometime to commit crimes.

to protect themselves or to shoot stuff

I have been shooting since I was about 5 years old. I was raised around all men and Im a pretty damn good shot. That... and because if someone takes it upon himself to get into my personal space and threaten myself or my children. The hole I put in them... will be their own damn fault for being somewhere they did not belong in the first place. Not mine for putting it there.

Where I live there are murders everyday. I think people buy them because they are afraid of being mugged, women of being raped, or a home invasion while they sleep. I do not own one but I do have three dogs for protection. I hope none of the above ever happens to me I am very cautious when I leave the house.

Because other people sell them.

Because of stuff like this. http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1151205

Cause babies are dangerous till you train them right

There are many reasons why people buy guns: 1) Because it's cool. 2) For family legacy. 3) Just for hunting. 4) For target shooting. 5) For Social Reasons. 6) For self-defense.

who doesnt like to shoot at stuf its fun plus i dont have anthing better to spend my esxra money GUNS RULE !

To protect your self from the slags that will take your property and/or life.

3 simple answers: For sports, hunting or crime.

1) Fun. 2) Sport. 3) Protection. 4) Remind the government that We The People are the ruling class.

They buy guns for many reasons, but the main reason is to learn to fire a gun accurately, as if their lives depended upon mastering that skill. Young people (over 21) buy guns to learn to shoot--and for protection from criminals. I am into shooting sports (not hunting) including trap and skeet, target shooting and for home and personal protection. I also teach firearms safety for the NRA, Hunter Safety for the State of Florida (even though I no longer hunt game. That aside, the reason most people buy handguns (they can be difficult to master) is for personal protection. I cannot prove this, but the majority of people in my classes tell me this. Almost all women buy handguns exclusively for personal protection. I purchase target pistols in various bore sizes from .22 caliber (22/100 of an inch) up to .45 caliber (a Colt Gold Cup). I own several. Long guns (rifles and shotguns) are purchased, in the main, by hunters, but offer security as well. The problem with long guns--and to some extent, shotguns is that they are difficult to conceal and too powerful for safe use as personal protection weapons. The rounds go through the bad guy, through the walls, and hit innocent by-standers. Larger bored pistols will do the same, depending upon the type of bullet used and if it fragments upon impact or not.

swords are outdated, sadly

To blow themselves up when the police are after them :p

Because no one fights with swords anymore.

Sane people buy them to protect them selves

TO PROTECT THEMSELVES WHILE IRAQI TERRORISTS ARE GROUPING IN EACH STATE TO DELETE AMERICANS.

because stealing them is illegal!