What is it in the American psyche that makes gun ownership so attractive?

Answer 1

Every protection granted by the Bill of Rights was put in place because the British colonial government infringed upon each individual right that is protected there. The Framers didn't trust government, and they made the Constitution to limit the federal government's power. This mistrust runs at the center of the protection of the right to keep and bear arms, because when the people cannot protect themselves, they can be enslaved, slaughtered, or any number of things.

Answer 2

Probably the need to feel safe amid rising crime rates?
When you've got somebody 3 minutes away from breaking into your home with intent to do serious or fatal bodily harm, and the police are 10 or 15 minutes away, what would you rather have in your hand - a gun or a peace sign?

To some, guns are collectors items that they polish and display but would never actually USE.
To others, developing and maintaining the manual dexterity and the hand-to-eye coordination involved in target shooting is an enjoyable sport and a desirable skill.
To some, guns are works of art. If you ever visit a gun show, you will see some of the most beautifully done woodcarving, metal finishing and wire inlay work available anywhere. You do NOT see the same styles of woodwork anywhere else. No one makes cabinets or other household furniture with the same kinds of woodwork and metalwork you will see on custom firearms.
To ME, a gun is like an insurance policy - something I would rather have and not need than need and not have.

I deliberately left "hunting" off the list because I personally oppose the idea of hunting as a sport. The very existance of our domestic food industry makes it totally unnecessary.

I wouldn't THINK of shooting at anything alive - unless it were seriously threatening someone - but tin cans and paper targets feel no pain. And if your aim is good enough, aspirin tablets make the neatest little white puff when hit with a 17 caliber pellet.

Answer 3

Gun ownership is not attractive to the psyche of every American. I happen to enjoy having more than one gun, and while i mostly reject generalities, which your question requires, There are more than one answer. I believe, the primary reason is because it gives the owner feelings of safety against a hostile intrusion of their home. Second, many people enjoy the challenge of stalking wild animals and birds, and making a successful kill. There are also people who have guns they use for target practice, and shooting competitions. Some have guns they intend to use for unlawful activities. Some have guns simply because they like them and see them as mechanical art forms. The tolerances necessary to make them safe, yet effective, require exacting manufacturing procedure, and are, for the most part, all hand tooled. These are the main reasons, I believe for owning a gun.

Answer 4

I think it isn't just an American thing. In fact, I know so. I live in Switzerland and every male has to do military service at 18. When they're done they keep the gun at home with them. Its not a small gun either. You can see one of the old ones in my picture. Its a fully automatic assault rifle. The problem in the US isn't the guns. It is something altogether different.
But there is something in the male psyche I think. I think its the desire to know you are safe no matter what. You are faced with the reality that guns exist, and that other people have them, so logically, you have to have one as well. I'm sure its different in many cases. Like if you were raised hunting, like my father. He has hunting rifles, because he used to hunt.

Answer 5

We as Americans have a very strong sense of entitlement and that we are allowed to do whatever we want whenever we feel like it. Very similar to a spoiled child. And since our right to bear arms is protected in the Constitution some Americans may feel the desire to do so simply because they can. Jung has a theory on the collective psyche, that our ancestors' experiences have somehow infiltrated our current psyche and our decisions are affected by their experiences. I believe he is also the one who theorized about the Thantos (death) drive in our psyche, which could also correlate to our attraction to guns.

Answer 6

This country was built by gun carrying men who solved crime the old fashioned way. I do think it should be a right to own a gun for protection of yourself or family. Unfortunately, the criminals are the ones with all the guns these days.

Answer 7

Hmmm. Is it purely an American phenomenon? I bought a pistol just the other day. I'm not looking to gun anyone down. I'm not "protective" of all my belongings nor do I live in a high crime area. I just wanted a pistol... I have mostly liberal politics, but I agree with the "right to keep and bear arms". Maybe it is just something engrained in us from the start. It was right there in the forefront of our founding fathers minds...I was raised around guns-- hunting, etc.... That's a great, thought-provoking question. Thanks!

Answer 8

Not all Americans want to or even own guns.
As for those who do it is a decision that an individual makes.
Not only that, it is a constitutional right.

Answer 9

Superiority and security. These basic motives are characteristic of all normal humans, but in many countries the gun control laws are stricter. This forces people in other countries to express their motives for superiority and security in other ways.

Answer 10

it depends on where you live. where i live a lot of people hunt for food and some of my friends live in areas were there are a lot of wild animals so guns are good protection.