Need or Want?

We all get lost in the want for cool gear, learning what the new cool toy is, and who uses what. That is all is fun and dandy, but before we log into our favorite tactical supply store and type in our CC numbers online, take a step back with me for a second. What do you need? like truly need, for your self and its defense? Do you NEED an $500 RMR on your Glock 17, with a $300 mounted light? Do you NEED a 45 degree offset red dot and 1-6 LPVO on your home defense rifle? You are probably asking "well, when the f*** should I get these" kind of questions at this point but here is a rule I kind of came up with, to help sift through the want and needs. One, do you have a tool for the purpose? We can think of this as so: do I have a handgun, rifle, shotgun? Lets say we only have a handgun. I would increase your capability because at the current given situation, because even will all the expensive furniture, you are only effective from 0-35 meters (based off of what the average person does, not talking about you John Wicks out there with your 50m head shots but I digress) with your hand guns. So you have a badass pistol at this point but no true capability to the medium and long range. You have no alternate system in case yours goes down, or is out of reach. The pistol is a great CQB weapon. Most of the population lives in crowded, indoor environments. However, your lethality and variability is hindered by your one tool. The pistol caliber downsides. It can be stopped more easily than a rifle round. Its less accurate and again, range comes back into play. Rifles can complete the performance gap you have and increase your lethality. That is just with our argument about guns! What about optics, armor, vehicle and much more. When buying something for yourself, think first, does it support what I NEED first? After that, then you can start adding on what you want AFTER THE NEED, to it.