I believe there are a number of legitimate reasons for people to own firearms.

I count hunting among these. Although I don’t hunt myself, I don’t vilify those who do, because I realize this is mainly just a matter of prevailing social customs in the areas where we grow up.   If I had been raised in an area where most guys hunt, I imagine I’d do it, too. (I even sort of did it as a kid--if you can count sometimes carrying my BB gun as I tramped along beside my father through the woods and fields when he went partridge hunting. These are actually some of the fondest memories I have of time spent with him.)

I also see nothing wrong with target, trap, and skeet shooting as hobbies. Among other things, these are good ways to reach and maintain proficiency, which includes safe handling skills.

As for the use of firearms for self-defense, I think it’s unrealistic to base public safety policy on the belief that the police will always be able to protect all the people all the time. Many situations don’t allow time for dialing 911 and waiting for a response. Why pretend otherwise? If anything, I favor a broadening of the legal definition of self-defense, which in many cases now seems overly restrictive and impractical.

On the negative side of the gun issue:

Do some people get into weird psychological issues surrounding gun ownership?   Well, yes. But then, some people also get into weird psychological issues around natural foods or auto emission standards. This isn’t sufficient reason to throw any of them out.