Gun owners have that ability to send a anticrime message out every time a criminal is shot and killed. Gun owners also take a more practical view by voting anticrime judges to the bench and not allowing revolving door justice.
What helps to keep our guns is joining the NRA and voting the antigun dems out of office.
By the way, buying a gun doesn't make anyone an expert no more than buying a violin makes someone a musician. The best way to learn how to shoot a pistol is to compete in International Defensive Pistol Association Matches. For Rifle, compete in NRA High Power Rifle matches.
NRA bump