I like them, I owned lots over the years, not many currently.
As a background I grew up around them, both my father and grandfather we're recreational shooters. My dad did competitive handgun shooting. A few people in my family are as well in addition to many friends. My mom hates them, hated them in the house, still hates them.
But both my parents have one thing in common. Lots of parents fear their children drowning, so my Mom decided to send me to swimming lessons when I was in Kindergarten. I learned how to swim, tread water and dive safely. Thus my Mom never had to worry about me going in the pool or ocean growing up. Also at a young age my father taught me gun safety and responsibility, took me shooting. He kept them locked inside a case unloaded inside a locked safe. Therefor he never had to worry about my hurting myself or another growing up.
With that being said, growing up around them, the lifelong exposire it's something you just have. Like anything its a tool, and a dangerous one at that. Handled with a tremendous amount of responsibility and respect.
It's a touchy topic with lots of people, especially in this area which can have prominent political beliefs. My general theory is people fear what they don't know, and if you've never handled a firearm, don't have an fundamental understanding of how they work, there is a innate fear about them. Not to start another debate, not to discredit responsible ownership. But basically if a firearm doesn't have a round in the chamber and nothing to active the firing pin (squeezing the trigger), it's just a hunk of metal. Owning one is taking a lot of responsibility not only for you own actions, but for those around you in educating your spouse and children and also proper safe storage.
So why own one?
Recreation:
Going to an indoor shooting range with a handgun is fun. Its a great stress reliever, it's a way to challenge yourself. I also enjoy taking new shooters and teaching them. Took my GF's son shooting for his bday, he loved it.
Clay pigeon shooting with a shotgun. Involves good hand and eye coordination, timing. You're trying to hit a moving target. It's like duck hunt on nintendo. Much like the range its challenging and lots of fun. Vaporizing a clay disc in the sky is a great feeling. Also phenomenal stress reliever.
Target shooting, I often do this with the family (they have lots of land). Things like bowling pins, pumpkins, bricks, soda cans. On a windy day from 100 yards away they can be a tough to hit with a 12 guage slug, but when you do it can ellicit giggles in grown men when you watch some solid object suddenly puff into a cloud of dust. It's much the same feeling like riding a wheelie for some epic distance, jumping your bmx bike over 5 garbage cans as a kid.
Protection
Yes I live in a safe area, but like others have said its a tool, something to have just in case. I have some welfare family across the street, yea they have arguments outside at 11pm, police family services unit frequently visits. The boyfriend/husband does drug deals, but they seem to keep to themselves. I hope I'm never in this type of situation, I see a firearm as more of a deterrent. It's that "last option" after someone coming through a locked door, calling 911, verbal warnings, backing into a corner.
However when I'm heading upstate to spend a weekend at the cabin. The shotgun comes with and it's loaded up there. Sheriff/SP response times are around 45 minutes to one hour. My neighbor had someone trespassing on his property, the guy ignored initial verbal warnings. He then goes back inside and comes out with his shotgun and chambers a round, they guy then promptly left. There have been break ins on some other properties over the years, typically done by locals. Someone was mauled by a bear up the road from us. Like I said with help 45 min to and hour away, I can't try to negotiate with some meth head, black bear or pack of coyotes. You have to rely on yourself and neighbors.
Investment
In 1970 something my grandfather purchased a handgun from a pawn shop in Daytona Florida for $30, it's now worth over $3500. They really don't lose value over time, especially older antique firearms in great condition. Something you buy today you very much could make a profit on 10 - 15 years from now. Also bear in mind that firearm laws are only going to continue to get more restrictive, something grandfathered into a new law will only have its value suddenly increase. For example 3 to 4 years ago the gov't and media were pushing to ban those "evil black assault style guns". Worried about a potential ban, buyers flooded the market and retail values ballooned big time. At the time I owned one of those "evil black guns". I wound up selling it for more than inital purchase of the gun, accessories and ammo! Not a bad deal.