Roberta X asks
How about you? Why do you shoot? Why do you carry, if you carry at all?
I shoot because I find the action of shooting to be relaxing. There's a Zen-like state one can achieve when target practicing. All the variables come into play - trigger control, breathing, stance, grip - and you can find that thinking of any of them will throw you off. You have to almost go on automatic pilot to get them all to play well together. When one of the variables is off, you concentrate on that one alone until you can do it unconsciously then start over.
It's harder than one thinks mostly because of the reports near you. Concentration while concussive blasts are battering you from all sides is difficult, but once you can tune all that out, you'll find that you can use that same skill in other areas of life, thus reducing your stress level. And there's just something primitive in a man's mind (women too, I'm using "man" in a non-gender specific way) that fears the loud bang and a sense of power in overcoming that fear. Add in the satisfaction of hitting your target and it makes for a great way to relieve stress and relax for a few hours.
I also shoot to keep myself in "shape" for self defense. A firearm is not a magic talisman that wards off evil. It won't protect me from a sucker punch or prevent muggers from attacking me. What it does is possibly level the playing field between me and a stronger or more numerous opponent. If I don't practice, when the proverbial fecal matter smashes into the air mover, my mind will not be able to concentrate on what to do and I will revert to habit instead. Best to make that habit work for me.
Like Roberta, I'm not a hunter (at least not yet). I've hunted when I was younger, but never made a kill with a rifle. I have no problems with hunting and am looking into getting into it. I happen to love deer meat. However, my rifles are not set up for hunting or long range accuracy - they're meant to protect my home and family during the event of a disaster such as hurricanes (which are common in Florida) or a break in. Handguns make a good compromise when a rifle or shotgun is not available, but while at home there is no need to use something so underpowered.
I carry because I'm a free citizen of the United States and it is my right to do so. I'm alive today because I was able to defend myself with a firearm and when I realized I needed to be there for my daughters, I decided to do my best to ensure I was never without it again. At 6'3", I'm not a general target for thugs (they tend to like prey that doesn't look like they might be able to kick their ass). I'm not someone who walks downtown at night or finds himself in bad areas all the time, so my carrying may just be decorative, however the fact that I exercise that right does extend to others who do not - the criminal must think about who might or might not be armed.
Finally, I shoot because the bastards who think they rule us don't want me to. Our "leaders" cannot push all of their plans to dominate us if we are armed. They can get away with a lot, but there's a line that will be crossed some day and if (more likely when) that happens, I won't be on my knees begging for mercy. Again, my remaining armed in the face of a government who would take away my rights protects everyone, not just myself.
Why do YOU shoot?