My understand from what gcomeau has posted is that gcomeau's contention is that the "average" owner of any gun other than a hunting rifle fits into that irrational category you described.
Daryl wrote:Gents, from outside your discussion it appears that you are each saying much the same thing in different ways.
My take is that most gun owners are responsible, but a small percentage are irrational believing that they have to carry a gun at all times to be safe.
An analogy is the current North Korea situation, where fat boy believes he needs nukes to protect himself, whereas if they weren't developing them no one would have paid them any mind. As it is the potential for an attack has risen because they are seen as a threat.