However, I better understand the stigma you are talking about Ric, regarding weapons. Your shocked by the level of knowledge. If I had said "I've considered getting a pistol." you'd be less shocked by that than "I've considered getting the Glock 17, a 9mm parabellum semi-auto with a 17 round clip that once concerned many people because of its nickname 'The plastic gun'. The gun is actually 84% metal by weight."
Well, in my case at least, I'm a researcher and an observer. I think I've mentioned that before...I like to investigate my options before I make a big decision on something. If you will forgive the pun, I rarely go off half-cocked. I consider purchasing and owning a gun a big decision.
One of the big things of the comic Spiderman was "With great power, comes great responsibility." Well, you own a gun and you have power over those without one, so its my responsibility to use it the right way.