Why More Americans Want to Own Guns

[God of Mr. Hanky]

Well, there's certainly far less need for guns than there are guns.  Even if we both agree that some people need them, or certain situations called for them..that'd still be no less true.  If I had no need of a gun, I'd still want one, personally.  I own a few with no particular need for them, in the sense we seem to be discussing.  I'm not sure that need factors into this discussion -at all-.  What need do we have of press, assembly, or petition?  Do we refer to our need of these things when we declare our right to them, or our desire to enjoy that right?

If someone could not explain why they personally needed the first or the third amendment (or any other)...what then?

Need is a pretty good reason, as is the sort of hobbyism which may be absent in Britain. On the other hand, there is no factual relation between gun ownership and gun-related deaths, therefore it's offensive to hold gun owners to any question of need. As for the attempts which certain assholes are making to decide how many and what sort of guns other people should own, this sadly justifies the clamor of the right wing with words such as "totalitarian".