Recently, I came across a newspaper article with the phrase "the most sold gun in the world" and found myself reading it to the end.

The answer was the gun that everyone probably guessed, the AK-47. According to estimates from the Small Arms Survey, between 70 million and 100 million of these guns have been produced worldwide, which means that roughly 1 in every 60 people on Earth owns one.

However, the situation looks a bit different when we focus solely on the United States. The most sold and widely distributed gun in the U.S. civilian market is said to be the AR-15 series. While it is the second most produced automatic rifle globally after the AK-47, it's interesting to note that it has even earned the nickname of being America's gun among Americans.

What's intriguing is the next point. The percentage of households with guns in the U.S. is actually declining.

According to a Gallup poll, in 1959, 49 percent of American households reported owning a gun, but by 2025, that figure is expected to drop to 36 percent. This indicates a steady decrease in the number of households with guns over more than half a century.

So, does this mean that guns are disappearing? Not at all. Gun sales are still at a significant level. When we consider both of these facts together, the conclusion is clear: while the number of gun owners is decreasing, those who do own guns are accumulating more than before.

It seems we have shifted from an era where one person owns just one gun to a time where a few individuals own multiple guns.

At this point, I found myself more focused on how people live rather than just the guns. Some people only have what they need, while others feel the urge to acquire more once they have one. Whether it's possessions or hobbies, once people start, they often find themselves unable to stop expanding.

I have been quite cautious about bringing new items into my home for a long time. Rarely do the things I buy because I think they might be nice end up being useful. So, I've developed a habit of asking myself again every time I consider a new purchase: Am I buying this because I really need it, or just because I want it? My long-standing belief is that having less and not feeling regret is the key to a fulfilling life.

The issue of firearms is a very sensitive topic in the U.S., leading to ongoing political debates. Both sides, those advocating for stricter regulations and those defending personal rights, have strong arguments, making it difficult to take a definitive stance. However, reflecting on this statistic, I realized that the issue is not simply about the quantity of guns but rather how we should view the phenomenon of ownership concentrating among fewer individuals.

In the Korean community, opinions on gun ownership vary from household to household. Some individuals keep guns for safety while running a business, while others feel burdened by the mere presence of a gun in their home. It's not a matter of right or wrong; it's about making different choices based on individual circumstances and values.

However, as I grow older, I realize that accumulating more items or weapons does not necessarily provide a greater sense of security. In fact, living with only what is truly necessary tends to make both body and mind feel lighter.

While I started discussing the most sold gun in the world, I ended up talking about household management. But if you think about it, aren't they all related? Ultimately, it's not about how much we own, but how we use and manage what we have that matters more.