I made my living in the Firearms Industry, but firearms started in my youth. And were instrumental in my transition towards being a grown up...I started with an air pistol, progressed to a .22 pistol hunting rabbits with my father, then after demonstrating the necessary maturity with just my father, being invited in to the hunting camps with his friends. It was a right of passage. Also, they are a symbol of self reliance. I can feed and protect my family without relying outside intervention. This is valuable to me, and many of you as well. Finally, I appreciate machines...cars, guns, motorcycles, watches...you name it, the precision and engineering and downright brilliance of the creator all appeal to me. Mans creations fall short of Gods, but man a lot of them are pretty dang clever.
Besides, they are just plain fun to shoot at the range! And collect, researching the history of each particular model. Folks that didn't grow up around them may never understand, but that is their loss.