Why would anyone need several handguns?

[guardian]

17. Why do women NEED a bazillion pairs of shoes?

Why would anyone need more than one suit?
Why would anyone need more than one tv?
Why would anyone need more than one car?
Why would anyone need more than one set of golf clubs?
Why would anyone need more than one computer?
Why would anyone need more than one flavor of ice cream? just stick with your favorite

The premise of your thesis is flawed. Why is any individual justified in deciding the 'needs' of someone else? Just because one person doesn't like something or doesn't want something doesn't mean someone else doesn't want it. Remember the 2nd Admendment is part of the Bill of RIGHTS not the Bill of NEEDS.

To more specifically answer your question from a practical standpoint (as opposed to someone just wanting and enjoying a variety of guns) is that handguns come in a variety of sizes, weights, calibers, and other factors. For example a handgun that might be used for discrete pocket carry in a business casual environment might be chosen because of small form factor and light weight. However, that type of gun is uncomfortable to shoot. If you are using it to save your life from Mr. Bad Guy you really don't care about comfort. However, if you are going to the range to target shoot several hundred rounds for proficiency you want a gun that won't feel like you spent an afternoon slamming a hammer into the palm of your hand. Maybe you like to hike in the great outdoors and want to have some protection against critters. That .380 pocket pistol is pretty useless against things that would like to eat you, or against some marijuana grower that you happen to stumble into in the national forest.

Maybe you also like to shoot in organized pistol competitions. Then you would use a different handgun that has different characteristics than say a gun you would use for long distance target shooting. To use a golf analogy think of the difference between using a putter and a 7 iron. They are both golf clubs. But have different purposes.

Additionally, you may want to have multiple handguns to keep in different locations. Maybe you want to keep one in your house. And another to keep in the car. And another to keep at your business. Depending on your preference, or local laws, it might be a pain to transport a firearm between locations. Maybe you just don't want to forget to bring your gun and not have it. Ever leave your cell phone at home and not have it in the car?