I am a proud Republican and while I actually own a couple .22's, my dad lets me call his mine because i use them more than him. He's got a Savage 243, an old army SKS, a couple 30-30's and a couple more I can't think of. I only use them for hunting but its nice to know I have a couple guns within reach even out in the boonedocks where I live. It is impossoble to find anyone around here that doesn't own at least one gun. I think taking a safety course is a very good idea, but they are not only tools they are dangerous weapons. And as long as everyone treats them that way then there is not such a problem. Plus You don't see houses around here getting robbed because they know everyone has a gun and is willing to use them.