Rookies choose one over the other, when they can and should have both.
I think it is pretty sad she was shocked at 1) the number of firearms and 2) the number bought at at a time.
When I came back from Afghanistan the second time there were at least 14 guns waiting for me to pick up. Any more than 2 pistols in a week gets you reported to the FBI. I am sure I have been reported numerous times.