My older brothers had a couple shotguns they left at home when they graduated and moved on. As a kid in the 50s I imagined using them to ward off the commies from my bedroom window. 
Flags and patriotism along with the guns seemed to cast a kind of spell or instill a sense of importance on my young, impressionable mind.
The spell gradually wore off as I developed other interests. At 14 I got a driver's permit and got interested in cars. I dragged one of the shotguns around in the trunk for years until the barrel rusted, which pissed off my older brother who wanted it for a keepsake.
I think the gun obsession is largely about that sense of importance and someday using them to be a heroic protector. Some people just never grow out of it.
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