Why guns? ( edit)

Question

I'm not from the US, never been there, but I'm confused as why do citizens feel the need to own guns? To protect them from what? 
I'm just curious honestly as this is new to me, I've been to over 10 countries around the world and i understand that every country deal with it share of crimes but never met a person who owns a gun. Does this mean that it's okay to shoot/kill people in America ? 
And if you're a gun owner yourself have u ever used it?  have u shot anyone? And if it's just for protection does this mean that there are many criminals in the US?  And when is it ok for u to use a gun? 
I'm only asking those questions out of curiosity as i mentioned before since it's very strange to me, and I'm not judging or bashing I'm just trying to understand the concept behind normal civilians owning a gun.

PS: decided to make this post anonymous since it's a sensitive subject for some people and it makes others angry i dunno why.

Edit: thank you for the clarification, i find the hunting part interesting tbh, never done it before, and i personally enjoy shooting at a range,  it's like a sport to me since it's in a safe environment with experts and tournaments and so on, but never thought of owning a gun in real life, maybe because in my country or my culture that's not common.
 but honestly now the idea of visiting America is scary, you girls made it sound like the crime rate is very high,  and many of u said that they've dealt with robbery and so on. It seems like there's alot of violence there. Stay safe everyone 🎉 and do what's best for u.

Answer

I live in the US and fail to understand why most who own guns do. Some use them to hunt for food and I support that, but I haven't ever found a situation in my life where I would feel safer knowing I had a gun or my neighbor had a gun. I wish fewer people had them. They make me uncomfortable.

Answer

Because the bad guys have guns. The only thing that can stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.

Answer

I own a gun... and have a concealed permit. I got my gun after my house was robbed while my husband was gone for the military. No it doesn't mean it's okay to shoot people... however it's our rights as an American to bear arms to protect ourselves. I also am a nurse in a prison and have received many threats from inmates so it's extra protection for myself.

Answer

It's for protection and hunting our food. Yes, there are that many criminals in the US. I've personally never used mine but have had to flash it to someone who was about to rob my house. Not even 10 min after I did he broke into my neighbors house and stole their tv.

Answer

I'm from the States and I don't get it either. If you're a hunter then I understand why you have a gun, but why people feel the need to own one for the sake of owning one is beyond me. I have friends from other countries who are afraid to visit because they're convinced the whole country must be over run by insane crime since everyone owns guns "for protection".

Answer

1- hunting (though I personally prefer a bow)
2- I'm confident with my weapon and want to get my concealed. I think people should not have a gun for protection unless they're confident and respect them. You don't want to be in a scenario where you aren't confident with what you're doing and end up doing more damage than good-- or having your own weapon used against you. 
3- too much happens. House robberies, public shootings, rape, muggings, etc. Having my gun means I can protect myself and others around me. The bad guys have guns, know how to use them, and aren't afraid to shoot to kill. I like knowing I can take them down should I need to. In these public shootings for instance: so many innocent lives were lost because of a psycho with a gun. Had someone like me been there with their concealed who knew what they were doing, they could have taken the shooter down a lot quicker, and potentially saved those lives. 
4- it's fun. Honestly, I love going to the range and shooting. I enjoy it. It gives a rush, and it takes skill and focus.

Answer

Most people who own guns near where I live own guns for hunting. My dad has a somewhat dangerous job so he has a conceal and carry permit and sometimes carries a small handgun with him.

I think you would obviously be able to know that we can't kill each other here and not have consequences. I understand the other questions but that one was stupid.

I've never shot an animal or human, but my dad did teach me to shoot when I was little. We shot popcans, clay pigeons, and things like that. Responsible gun owners teach their children gun safety from a young age- how to use them, how not to use them, maintenance of them, locking them up, that they are never a game, etc. There are many horror stories of kids getting guns and accidentally shooting themselves or each other but we always knew to never ever touch dads guns, bullets, gun safe, etc.

My husband and I don't own guns but my dad and brother both own several. All are locked up in a safe and the bullets are locked in another locked container inside that safe so no one can easily access them. The guns are only taken out for hunting.

Answer

Okay. Someone breaks into your house. Your husbands at work, you are upstairs folding laundry. He has a gun. He wants to rob/rape/kill or whatever he wants to do.  If you don't have a gun, what are you going to grab? The lamp on your night table? Cops aren't instant. Guns are. In the time that it took you to dial 911, wait for the cops, try and find a decent weapon to match a gun (nothing will) you will already be dead.  We have a gun to stay safe. We have never had to use it, thank God, but are ready to if there is no other choice.

Answer

I think culturally because we are a nation of pioneers guns have always been part of how people got their food and protected themselves from people that could be hostile. So now it's deeply ingrained in many families and regions esp rural. Kind of tradition, AND many people in those areas still hunt and see that as a legitimate use. Not realizing the devastating effect that the same gun culture has had on inner cities, where guns are more likely to be used for criminal purposes than anything. Also in cities homeowners are afraid of robbers with guns, so some get their own even tho they're more likely to get shot with their own weapon than shoot a robber. Honestly when you live in a city like I do and everyone has several friends who have been mugged or house burgled, you think about getting one even if you know rationally it probably won't help.

So that's the long of it but the short of it is, the historical culture thing is huuuuuge.

Answer

A lot of people own guns to hunt deer, ducks, and whatever else they hunt. Others own them for protection against intruders. I don't know if I would say there's a lot of criminals but there are a good few and people want to be able to protect themselves from them. The criminals have guns illegally mostly anyway. Convicted fellons cannot own guns. So if we make it illegal to own guns, then the only people who have them are the police and criminals. Police can't typically make it in time to protect someone if they're has been a home invasion. If those invading are putting your life in danger then yes it's okay to shoot these people. But generally no its not okay to walk out of those house shooting people. I personally would like to own a gun as my house has been robbed and my dad is an asshole who threatens to kill my family. However I cannot own one because of my history with mental illness.

Why guns? ( edit)

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