I voted that I already own one.

The question is not very specfic. There is a big difference between owning a hand gun, an assault rifle, or a hunting rifle. I own a hunting rifle. Not so much for hunting, mainly for defence against marauding bears and cougars and for culling sick livestock. Out in the country, especially in the semi-wilderness where I live, a rifle is not a murder weapon but an essential tool.

 Yes Arminius, I am quite familiar with the Lumby lifestyle.  My brother had a cougar hound and used to go cougar hunting.  He lives down Creighton Valley Rd.

It is indeed a vague question.  If i lived in a rural area I would definitely get a rifle and  my FAC and maybe even a hunting license.  That way if Mr Big Buck happens in my property during a certain time of year....

I believe in the right to bear arms but I am not gun crazy.  

As Eowyn says in LOTR 'The Two Towers': "Those who don't know how to use a sword can still die upon one."

    I agree the question was vague.  I voted I would consider it.   I have considered it.  Not for personal protection but for the same reasons Arminus commented on.  Around here most farmers have some sort gun.  It's considered a tool.  I have no interest in hunting and do everything possible to practice deterence but unfortuntely predators are becoming more and more of problem around here not just with livestock but more and more bold with people.    It sucks but after living here for a few years I understand why people have guns as tools more then when I lived in a urban city.  

I voted never, but after reading Arm's response, I suppose I could see myself buying one and learning how to use it properly if I was living in the wilderness.

The urban jungle, however, is a different beast. Bears and wolves aren't packing their own heat. Gangbangers are and are likely better at using their gun than the home owner trying to fend them off unless he/she is a cop or a military vet. In that environment, I'm inclined to let the cops deal with the shooting and stick to less violent and likely safer security measures myself.

Mendalla

Mendalla - my post is same as yours, except I did choose to say I would consider owning one. 
Of course the question is vague.  That's how Admin & Admin 2 get us to chat!

Having had a hunting gun - gave it up - living in the country where a 22 would be handly and a long gun is necessary for some in the country - having seen cougars at Cortez  I still put never - as the encounter with the cougar was unexpected and a rifle would not have helped I still would still say no.

For 10 years, I was a Scout Leader.  I had a rule when we gathered for our Scout's Own reflections on Sunday's at camp.  If the Scouts (or Cubs) believe that the knife on their belt was a weapon, then they were to remove the knife from their belt and place it in a stump outside the horseshoe or circle.  If they considered the knife an essential tool for campining, then they could join with the knife remaining in its sheath.

I see the question of owning a gun in much the same way. If I needed it as a tool, even as tool used in the sport of gathering food for the table, then I would own one. Since I do not hunt, I do not own a gun.  My 21 year old son has taken up hunting and owns a gun. He has it registered, locked up secure and the ammunition is kept separate.  I am okay with that and will even walk in the bush with him when he attempt to gather food.

I wonder what the survey results would be if the question was "Would you ever own a knife"  or How about a fish hook?

I own a small 22 cal that I use for controlling vermin that cause damage to our farm and crops.  If society feel that this is wrong, then compensate me the many 10's of thousands of dollars per year in reduced production and replacing damaged infrastructure.  If all of us are compensated it would cost little more than 15 cents per loaf of bread and then we all could be happy.

riznatts society does not want to ban such use of guns - even those who are anti gun would see this use as needed... of course there are extreme positions at either end of the issue.

 I have tried target shooting before and quite enjoyed it.

I wonder about the demographics of the results.  I own several for both target sports and hunting but agree with Trishcuit.  For the time and energy that it takes to actually get out and use them and to comply with legislation and store and transport them responsibly I don't see the pros outweighing the cons unless you lead a certain lifestyle.  I think that the reasons for owning firearms are varied; some are valid and some invalid.  I have a similar issue with motorcycling.  It kills a substantial number of people in this country each year.  Are my own reasons for owning one useful, helpful, and good? or just vanity?  I guess that's a question I have to ask myself.