I've seen this kind of comment a lot here:
Since when does need enter into the picture?
I'm sure it's just a light-hearted joke that's not intended to be taken too seriously. But the truth is that some folks have other needs that have to compete with their desires to get the attention their needs deserve. How can I buy this gun I want when there is this other thing I need and I can't afford both? For some of us, Need doesn't often enter our lives in the form of a gun; but rather, Need never leaves, though it often wears out its welcome. I want this gun, but what about the bald tires? The kids need shoes and the dog needs to go to the vet, but I want this gun.... Some people have the luxury of not having to make many sacrifices; they maybe already have money or make so much money that they are able to insulate themselves from real Need. Maybe the guy at work that's selling the gun in question is not so much disappointed in the gun as he may be dealing with a greater Need.
I, for one, am always juggling needs. Consequently, my vast gun collection has never gone beyond the single-digit category. I consider my pick-up truck modern, but it's 24 years old now. Currently, the Wife is between cars, i.e., wheel-less. I do hunt and fish and camp when I can, but it's challenging to keep everything afloat, Uncle Sam satisfied, and have any time or money to spare for my selfish desires. If it weren't for reloading, I would just about have to restrict my shooting to rimfires. It's good to remind myself of these things whenever I get tempted to buy a gun of any kind. And I do get tempted.
Yes, some people really do have to ask themselves, "Do I really need this? Don't I have one already? Why must I have another?"
