I won't address the hunting issue right now cuz' I'm in a hurry but as for gun ownership, It's guaranteed in our constitution. And I for one enjoy target shooting. I don't shoot animals anymore although I used to. But I enjoy shooting and there is a self defense aspect to gun ownership though it's admittedly minimal. It's also an issue of minimal government intervention in the day to day affairs of people who don't bother anyone else. I shouldn't have to be denied something I enjoy doing that harms no one just because a few morons can't control themselves or just plain fuck up. Inanimate objects with no intellect, sentience or opposable thumbs don't kill people. Ya just can't change the laws of physics that easily.