This recent CNN piece, 'America's Cult of Guns,' makes a compelling case that America's love of guns reaches beyond the hobbying weekender, the hunter, or the home defender - that it is its very own form, (perhaps a la Robert Bellah's notion of 'civil religion'), of a cult. A veritable religion, complete with its own theological underpinnings, its own ethics, and its own denial of facts, evidence, and reason. I am reminded of an old Marilyn Manson song, 'The Love Song', from 2000's Holy Wood: 

'I've got a crush on a pretty pistol
Should I tell her that I feel this way?
Father told us to be faithful. 

I've got a crush on a pretty pistol
Should I tell her that I feel this way?
I've got love songs in my head
That are killing us away

Do ya love your guns? [YEAH!]
God? [YEAH!]
The Government?

Do ya love your guns? [YEAH!]
God? [YEAH!]
The Government? [FUCK YEAH!]'

My dear friend and former colleague's recent 'Faith Matters' piece, titled 'Guns and the Common Good.'