Let me address those people who are wondering why we enjoy owning or shooting guns. I used to wonder why people owned guns, and I thought it was a bit strange.
Allow me to briefly explain why we feel guns are important.
If you've never handled a gun, fired a gun, or spent much time around guns... they may seem intimidating, unnecessary, or even frightening. (However, the same could be said about many things.)
Gun owners feel that owning a gun is an expression of our American freedom, and an exercise of our 2nd Amendment rights. We gun owners do not believe that there is anything inherently holy or evil, about a gun... it is an inert object. Whether it is used for good or for evil, depends on the character and actions of its owner. However, due to a gun's potential power and lethality, we responsible gun owners hold a special respect for guns. We don't view them as toys, and we obey specific safety rules when handling them.
Gun owners know that guns can be used for good, such as in self-defense, or in defense of a loved one. Guns can also be used for evil... such as to commit a crime, or act of violence. Contrary to what the media says, most gun owners wish to use guns only for good and responsible purposes.
Unfortunately, the media loves to portray only the negative sides of guns.... such as accidental deaths caused by guns, or guns that have been used in crimes. The media tries to portray guns (and gun owners themselves) as inherently dangerous and irresponsible, because they do not feel there is any real purpose or merit to owning a gun. I'm sure you are aware, the media even goes so far as to say there is NO LEGITIMATE PURPOSE to owning a "high capacity" firearm. I disagree with that statement completely.
The media chooses to overlook how often guns are used for good: Such as to defend a household, prevent a crime, scare off an intruder, or kill a dangerous wild animal. Often, these events go unreported, so they never even show up in statistics either.
Most of the world leads a life apart from guns. Most countries around the world have laws that prevent citizens from owning or handling guns. As a result, people get their information about guns from the news media, or from films and video games. As such, most people are filled with biases and preconceived notions that they may not even realize are incorrect.
That said... America (particularly conservative America) is the last bastion for gun owners in the free-world. We understand guns far better than 95% of the world's population, because we own guns and shoot guns. We have a healthy understanding, respect, and skill with firearms.
I am a responsible gun owner, and I view my guns in several ways. First, I look at them as collector items: They hold their value, they are well-crafted like works of art, and they are fine to look at. Second, I view them like a hobby: They are enjoyable to shoot, handle, learn about, and clean. Finally, I realize they are the last line of defense against a hostile intruder: I don't view myself as a "Lone Ranger", and I know my first preferred option would be to call the police and have a good home security system... but as a logical person, I know that that may not always be enough.
Think of it like this....
Alarms may "scare" an intruder, but it won't stop him.
Fancy doors and windows may "slow down" an intruder, but they won't stop a determined one.
Calling the police may lead to the "eventual apprehension" of an intruder, but it won't stop him in the moment.
A dog may "alert you" to an intruder... and it might even stop an intruder.
But what if you actually are forced to "STOP" an determined intruder... right then... before he commits a heinous act against you, or your wife, or your children? The only acceptable tool that you have left is a GUN.
In this light, I view guns as very unique and special tools, and I view them dearly. I hope a situation never arises that I have to use them, but if it does... then there is no other tool that could be better used instead.
(A baseball bat, kitchen knife, or a golf-club are poor substitutes for a firearm when my life is in danger, and I have to STOP a man right now.)
I feel sorry for people who have been brainwashed to fear guns, or brainwashed to see no point in owning them. I feel bad for people in socialist or liberal states and countries and areas where governments have outlawed guns.
Now that I've owned guns, I honestly don't think I would feel safe in my own home without them.