Gun culture is a really interesting animal. I've been to a few gun shows and the whole thing ranges from hunters, survivalists, collectors, zombies (really), and then of course self-defense. Now I don't think the people who are going to gun shows are the same people who shoot each other, but I do think they play an important role in creating the culture around guns. However, I do think that these are the owners of the majority of guns sold, because there is so much importance placed on having a collection (or an arsenal, depending on which breed of gun owner your talking to).

Many of these people see themselves in the way that the article mentions, the good guy, who is either protecting their home or family and they all hope they can stop a major shooting at some point. They may not go on a major shooting, but they do play a big role in increasing the amount of guns in circulation.

Like many laws I think gun control is misinterpreted as being against the typical NRA member. While it may will affect them (thus their protest) the law is targeted at reducing guns used for illicit purposes.