Why do you choose to have one?
Lets back up a little before I answer your question and make sure we are talking the same thing. Guns are anything that you put a bullet, shell or cartridge into. (IMO)
Depending on what part of the United States you were born in has a effect on gun views. I spent the largest part of my life in Utah. Hunting, fishing, hiking, skiing and boating is what you did if you lived in Utah. The United States of America has a lot of public ground in the west to enjoy these activities. When I was in high school the guys would have their shot guns in the back window of there trucks. It didn't matter if it was a fishing pole in the rack or a deer rifle or a golf club. No one thought twice about about it. All three were just hobbies, yet all three could be a deadly weapon in the right/wrong hands.
I have never been hunting. I personally do not like it myself and would cry like a baby if I killed a animal. But I loved and I mean loved target practice. My Dad got a kick out of how good I was. He would throw empty soup cans in the air and I would hit it almost every time. Even went they hit the ground I could hit them on the bounce.
We always had a gun cabinet in the house. In this cabinet were probably 8 different rifles and some miscellaneous hand guns dating back to WWII. These items are not and were not taboo. My Dad hunted quail and pheasant for dinner as a boy.
So to answer your question fairly and respectfully you needed to understand a culture this country was founded on. I own a gun because I can. I probably would not have legally bought a gun when I did, had my government not threatened to take that right away.
To meet me you would never know I own a gun. I have been a member of this forum for 2 years and no one knew I owned a gun until now. There are thousands and thousands of respectable gun owners in the USA who don't carry daily, don't wear camo, are NOT racists and just own a gun and treat it like it's a nice set of Ping Golf Clubs.
This has been a very passionate thread with strong feelings on both sides. It is hard to understand something when you are not exposed to it on a daily bases. Or more so when all one hears is negative.
Please gentleman lets not let hate, fear or cultural difference divide the fabulous members of this forum. As posted earlier "agree to disagree" and maybe change the subject?
I think I'm going to order some Chinese take-out the hot-n-sour soup will do me some good.
I'm jumping over to the thread "How does my dick look?" or "Do these shorts make my ass look big?":becky: