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People adorn what is important to them. It is no surprise that this shotgun sports fine engraving, marking it as a prized, if utilitarian, possession. Swords, suits of armor and personal firearms have always been adorned for their significance in preserving their owners' lives.

Weapons have received the benefit of decoration since the dawn of history. When hand-held firearms became relatively common during the 16th century, the wheel-lock pistols and carbines often had ivory or rare-wood stocks and lavishly engraved barrels. Today's replica arms often have engraving or inlays that cost far more than the gun itself.

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Many people keep firearms just for the joy of looking at them. Much like classic cars or old cameras, custom guns are finely crafted instruments. Working on them or shooting them is a matter of enjoying the process the way fishermen or music lovers do.

Shooters who enjoy re-enacting the Late Unpleasantness or Wild West events often feel immune from gun control legislation. In fact, a single-action replica revolver readily fits under most "junk gun" descriptions, while faithful reproductions of 1860s crank-operated Gatlings are prohibited by the 1994 Crime Bill.

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Readers of classical literature would be well-served to understand the references to specific weapons mentioned in the books. They might observe that a child in Kipling's or Orwell's time had more rights than a modern British subject.

Owning a gun is among the many ways in which you can assert your rights as a citizen, rather than timidly use your privileges as a subject. Doing that is especially important in the states that actively try to limit firearms ownership. People around you need to know that smart, law-abiding citizens like them are gun-owners, too.

Gun control advocates would cite recreational shooting as something that "no one needs." True, no one needs baseball, either. After all, baseball bats are often used as weapons - so let's ban that sport while we are at it.