Why More Americans Want to Own Guns

[God of Mr. Hanky]

That's the up front reason, "PROTECT OUR HOMES!!!". "Cool toys" is frown upon as being too honest. Toys killing kids is bad PR.

Well, that didn't really answer my question. We both know that a 30-30 isn't purchased for self-defense, that shotguns often aren't and so on.

The point was that PIDOOMA numbers aren't worth much in a discussion.

You need a 30-30 if you hunt big game. You'll never effectively take down a large buck, a wild boar (also a menacing threat to livestock and human safety), a moose, nor a bear with a little .22, and you may not get more than one shot.

You need a shotgun if you hunt game birds - period!

Why should civilians be restricted to owning a .22 rifle, which is dangerous for being useless and ineffective, when police officers are allowed to carry .44 or 9mm handguns? If you think we don't need them to stop an attacker, then neither do they.