> I would guess I own between 15 and 20 ARs in various configurations. >> But no one buys three toasters or lawnmowers for different uses. > I don’t think th

> I would guess I own between 15 and 20 ARs in various configurations. >> But no one buys three toasters or lawnmowers for different uses. > I don’t think that’s true at all, at least not for me. A few years ago I took at interest in fountain pens. You've made my point perfectly. Fountain pens are another good example of collectibles that convey some social value. A person who collects fountain pens is often perceived as someone who values writing and literature. Someone who collects musical instruments is often perceived as being musically literate. Similarly, owning guns signals self-reliance and power. The problem is that all of these social signifiers are pretty much false and made up. You can own hundreds of pens and be illiterate, you can own many instruments and no know a thing about music, just as you can own many guns and still be completely controlled by your government, bank, or even employer. These social signals may all be false, but only the guns are actually harmful to others.