You all can get technical, philosophical, and specific all you want.
Guns were designed as a means to increase odds of survival:
Hunting for food (which then turned into sport as well as money making ... Ivory)
Defending one's self, family, land, state, or country (a means of survival against threats, tyranny, etc)
Disarming potential hostile situations, or increasing your odds inside a hostile situation
Who cares if they are designed to be killing devices? They are certainly capable of killing if that's your intention. Quit trying to skate that fact or church it up!!! Why do you go do target practice??? Because someday that ability to aim may come in handy with hunting or defense, or war!.... Or the Olympics?
Regardless, I bought a gun in case someone tries to hurt me or my family. I would never instigate or be the first to act. But, I'm a good shot with pre-planned strategies to act quick and level a bad situation. So yes, I own guns because I want to shoot targets and increase my willingness to pull/shoot someone that threatens my home or my family with the same power/force. Plain and fucking simple.