More than two

Not too long ago I was speaking to a fellow who brought up the subject of firearms knowing I owned and operated them under a government-issued license. The person doesn't own or shoot firearms and knows little about them so, as sometimes happens, he has a fascination with them.

I'm happy to chat a little about firearms but always stay on 'safe' topics. I don't engage in conversations in which people ask me to justify why I have them and neither do I push firearms or agendas around them on people and as for what happens in respect of firearms outside of my own country...well, I'm not there so it's difficult to truly understand the circumstances so rarely comment with much substance.

Over the thirty five years I've owned and operated firearms I've been asked some amazingly relevant, interesting and intelligent questions and have endeavoured to represent well so have answered to the best of my knowledge and in a way the person might understand, though the latter doesn't always happen. I've been asked some really stupid questions also, and they were treated commensurate to their stupidity.

One such question is, "how many guns do you have?"

More than two

I am not into collecting firearms for the sake of having them although if I have a need for a particular calibre or system I get it...if I have no purpose of use I do not get it; quite a simple thing really. I don't justify to others why I have firearms and I do not comment on how many, and what types, I have; I don't see a need to brag about it and am not inclined to disclose what's in my gun safes; it just seems like good sense to me. Asking a firearms owner how many firearms they have is likely to get no answer or a vague and inaccurate response. My (usual) response? More than two.

I don't love guns, I never have or will; they're just tools to me.

I like my firearms because they are super-useful and I certainly value what each can do but love them? Nah, not at all. I have several hammers, none of which I love. I eat my meals with a knife and fork but don't love those utensils. I brush my teeth with a toothbrush but have no love for it...they're all just tools that perform a job. I have a lot of guns and each has a purpose, each performs its job when I require it and there's no love for any of them.

I've owned and operated firearms for almost thirty five years and am so far from being an expert that it's not funny. Do I know a thing or two? Of course, but I'm always mindful of the conversations I get into about firearms (with those who have them) as what I know is a drop in the ocean compared to some others. I'm also cautious with those who do nothave firearms and it's the latter group where most of the stupid questions come from.

One should never ask someone what guns they have, how many (or if they have ever shot a human). Yes, I actually got asked that last one on Hive last week. I'm fucken serious! It's a manners and respect thing I guess, and the answers are none of anyone's business.

I understand that people who don't have firearms can be attracted to them, fascinated by what they don't know and comprehend, and their cluelessness can lead them into doing or saying some odd things...I don't get too firm with them, they probably don't know what it means to actually ask those questions but it is a little annoying; I guess people have lost their filters somewhat, possibly due to social media whichmakes everything so accessible. I'm not sure though, maybe people are just rude or clueless.

Has anyone ever blabbed out a ridiculous, invasive rude question to you? Has anyone ever asked you, "hey, what does your vagina look like," or maybe, "so how hairy are your testicles anyway?" These are probably not questions most would be inclined to answer and which most may consider quite rude. If you've had any situations of rude, invasive or stupid questions being asked of you, and you want to share, feel free to comment below.