I had emailed a buddy of mine recently about potential stocks and mutual funds to invest in 2011. He responded back with a three page email, and it started with the following.
“Sunil, it all depends on what your view of the world is”
I was soon reminded that this guy is the biggest pessimist (one can argue realist or just cautious) about the world and mankind in general. This is the same guy who openly jokes “Dow at 7,000 and the rest of us on Camels, so start farming now”. This guy is also a very successful professional and is doing very well financially.
So of the three pages of email he typed out while he was at work, 2 were about his three guns, why he got them, what they are, what they do, where he keeps each, and what he plans to do with them. I am probably missing a lot more and doing a total injustice to the breadth and depth of his email.
The point is, he is genuinely concerned, or predicting that the world is coming to an end, and that there will be a period of panic where “store shelves will remain empty for a while”. There will be a new “normal” that we as a world will come to, and essentially start from scratch. Gosh, sounds like Denzel Washington’s the Book of Eli.
Why Protect Your Home by Buying a Gun?
I’ve thought about getting my concealed carrying permit and a gun (or two) before, but not solely for such extreme reasons. I do enjoy the shooting range, and I do have a military background. So if it makes sense for anyone, it certainly makes sense for me.
When I think about buying a gun in terms of home protection, I think about what is it in my house that intruders would be interested in to begin with? We keep all our jewelry, precious metals and important documents in the bank locker. But maybe someone might be interested in the 56 inch flat screen that I own? My surround sound system? Or my Nintendo Wii?
Sure, portable personal belonging can add up. I can easily guestimate up to $10,000 and much more. But that’s what insurance policies are for right? In addition, we do have an alarm / security systems in place. Hmmm . . .
But what if someone breaks in just to harm us? Why would anyone do that? Maybe someone is desperate for shelter and barges into the house? A lot can happen. I guess you just don’t know?
Cost of Protecting Your Home With Guns
So maybe it was my buddy’s email that revived the toy fetish inside me that made me revisit this matter in detail over the past weekend. Where I live, we are allowed concealed permits and gun ownership. In fact, there is an indoor range just 15 minutes away from me. I pass it every time I go to the airport.
As I write this, I am 80% convinced that I will pursue buying a gun. Don’t ask me why. A bit ironic for someone who often preaches about clarity and focus isn’t it? This is an exception I will conveniently make, but at least I am publicly open and honest about it 
Not an excuse – just saying.
Here is what the craziness would cost me:
- Gun: $500-700 – I am looking into a Glock or a Colt (Custom)
- Cleaning Kit: $45 (every year or two)
- Ammo: Several hundreds
- Time: couple hours cleaning the gun after each firing
- License: $75 annually
- Peace of mind: Still not sure . . . gun ownership has both pros and cons like anything else
Let’s say approximately $700 for the gun and $300 annually to play with it, clean it, maintain it, etc.
Responsible Gun Ownership
Despite a military background, there is no way I will pursue buying a gun without the appropriate investment in training. In fact, I spoke to my wife about potentially having her go through training as well. It can’t hurt?
So here is some additional damage:
- Introduction to handgun training: $175
- Course on defending your home with guns: $225
- License training and renewal refresher: 125 + license fee
- Other miscellaneous training I found relevant to us: $450 total
Total: $975 times 2 of us = $1,950 one time cost plus refreshers every few years
Yes I could easily do without this and save $2K but I’m more comfortable going through the rigor. I believe in investment in education and training, and that learning is a continuous and lifelong process. If I can “blow” a couple grand on travel airfare visiting a place that I can live without visiting, I can invest a couple grand on our education and safety as well.
And if we were to pursue buying a gun, then I strongly believe we need to make a serious investment in educating ourselves on responsible gun ownership and usage. But just like an insurance policy that I know I must have but hope to never use, I am hoping the same for gun ownership.
Is my reasoning compelling or horse dropping? Should I or should I not pursue buying a gun? What do you think about this “investment” or waste of time and money? You won’t hurt my feelings.
Is it worth buying a gun? Where do you stand on this topic? Do you believe in Gun Control? Do you care? Have you seen the book of Eli? What did you think about it?
Note: If you are considering the same, read this brief Ask Men article on buying a gun.
Sunil
Contemplating Toys
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