There is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to collect guns. Some people are attracted to the history of the gun, some like the mechanics of the thing, the science behind it-- not everyone who collects guns is crazy, not everyone is stockpiling, not everyone who owns a gun wishes to kill a person. Don't let the thought police make you feel guilty for keeping a gun-- if that's what you want to do, do it. By simply owning the gun you aren't hurting anyone; yet as a gun owner you need to take the proper steps and be responsible. This includes making sure, one-hundred-percent-beyond-a-shadow-of-a-doubt sure-- that the gun you own never does or could hurt anyone. This could include using a safe, keeping the gun in pieces, not buying bullets, keeping it in a gun club, etc. If you cannot do that, or believe you cannot be trusted to do that, then you shouldn't collect guns.

As usual, I'm on the fence with this. It seems to me the fact this LW is questioning this so much is surprising. If you're in doubt, don't get a gun. As Cary said, there is no hurry, simply because you're of legal age now. If you do, hold off on bullets as another user said, or make sure to prepare yourself by getting a good safe. But the fact you are questioning yourself, to me, seems like a warning sign. It seems like your indicision means you cannot yet trust yourself.

As for the whole pro-gun anti gun thing-- I'm neither. I haven't a gun, nor do I have any particular desire to get one. But someone said that while knives are tools, guns aren't and are to be despised. I don't think guns are this symbol of evil simply because they are a weapon. Education can help accidental shootings but people that want to hurt others will find a way whether guns are legal or not. Planes aren't weapons but were tragically utilized as such. Before Guns were invented, people still died, wars were still fought, and weapons still existed. They will never stop. The gun cannot be un-invented, even if it is controlled.

Guns are weapons, it's true. But so are Swords, Spears, Maces, Scimitars, Katanas, Numchuks, Sai's, etc etc. People collect these items. Does that mean they are deranged and want to re-enact scenes from Seven Samurai? When's the last time someone went on a killing spree with a Katana? Or perhaps buttered their bread with it? =P

Do what you wish. Just don't hurt anyone.

Most people thinks the benchmark of turning 21 means buying a drink (legally). This LW thinks it means deciding whether to own a gun or not. I'd say he's really asking whether owning a gun will make him an "adult" or not. Answer: Just like that drink,it won't.

Just curious, LW, but how does your mother feel about the idea of you purchasing a gun?

Your letter has it in a lot of romantic talk about guns and your dad. OK. I just find myself wondering where she is on the subject: she knows him, she knows you, and she's been watching this movie for a while now.

Just a thought.

Having a gun in the house actually substantiall increases your chance of dying by gunshot. Most gun deaths are either suicides or domestic disputes -- either of which situation might have turned out a lot better if there'd been a less direct/deadly method of violence. And if by some miracle you are</> burgled by someone armed, they will kill you as soon as they see you are armed too.

If you like guns, then enjoy them & shoot them. Maybe have some really ancient collectors items that don't work (or are fiendishly difficult to use) in the house. But if you want functional guns, don't keep them at home.

I'm trying my hardest to understand some of the thinking going on here. It seems to go something like -- gun control is a bill of goods sold to us by the government, supposedly to make us safer, but in fact making us weaker. As a result of gun control, students and staff at Va Tech were unarmed and therefore unable to defend themselves against the shooter. Police have guns but didn't stop the shooter, therefore all citizens should be armed.

The suggestion seems to be not only that we change the law, but also that we change our entire culture into some modern western movie. In the new order, individual citizens will arm themselves for protection, and gun ownership will be promoted for all -- the sane and righteous, as well as the lonely, the slightly depressed, the very depressed, the mentally abused, the undiagnosed bipolars, the unrepentant alcoholics, every road enraged driver...basically, every potential lunatic and every would-be Rambo is going to be in possession of a deadly weapon.

Since those who commit crimes like VaTech and Columbine have a death wish anyway, they presumably won't be deterred by the fact that everyone now carries a gun. Their goal will be to kill as many people as possible before any of their potential victims can fish their 9MM out of their purse. (Or do we mandate leg holsters?)

Victory will belong to the swiftest draw, so our citizen vigilantes will need to shoot first and ask questions later. We'll need to assume that every person exhibiting the slightest hint of rage has a gun and is prepared to use it. So, to be truly safe, we'll need to fire at the first sign of crankiness.

Of course we'll have to protect our citizen militia against any legal jeopardy in being quick to kill. Everyone will be armed, so naturally there will be a presumption that anyone shooting was acting in self-defense. In other words, the formerly-cranky, now-dead guy will have the burden of proving he WASN'T about to shoot first. That seems fair enough.

OK, I'm convinced. I'll sign on for this as long as I'm allowed to live in an armored tank, and the government mandates blood donations and provides free life insurance to all.

I, too, wish that the first victim at Va Tech had been armed and had killed the shooter. I wish it in the same way that I wish cootie-shots cured cancer and that my car could get out of traffic jams by levitating and flying away. Because, you know, sometimes I get so mad when I'm stuck in traffic that I could kill someone.