I bought a "cheap piece of junk DPMS" AR, which is easily capable of three shot groups that can be covered by a dime, as long as I do my part. With a 3x9 variable scope mounted the whole thing cost me less than $700! No reason for a person not to own one ... or two.
Relatively cheap ammo, too!
It is a weapon I do not as yet own.
For now, all my spending money is tied up in Bathroom futures,,,; er, fixtures. So I will have to rely on my Winchester model 94 and a 357 magnum wheel gun