Perhaps this curious omission arises from Objectivism's emphasis on ideas as quintessentially important in our view of the world. Perhaps it is because many intellectuals have little if any practical experiences with rifles, shotguns, or handguns. How to operate one is not immediately obvious. And some Objectivists may have been subconsciously influenced by the incessantly negative droning of the mass media against personal weapons. Whatever the reasons, I believe anyone who harbors a reluctance to face these issues should reevaluate his stance.
Ideas are, of course, important.
The attempts by the British to confiscate colonial weapons did, after all, provide the trigger for our war of independence. Rand frequently mentioned the right we all possess to resist the initiation of force. For now, the best and most effective means of doing so on the personal level are the very tools our government seeks to restrict or ban. This emotional response is no different than what occurs when facing any other novel situation. Knowledge and practice and responsible action are the antidote to fear, not evasion.