Really? A gun thread that mentions recent shootings, AGAIN!? Alright, for starters, not all Americans like the idea of having guns, in fact many abhor it. Secondly, I don't believe those that do take pride, take pride in the fact that they own a gun(although some may take pride in modifying or working on one) or their "ability to kill people", they take pride in the fact that they have a right to bear arms. Thirdly, I don't understand what the recent shootings have to do with people enjoying shooting targets or talking about their guns. Guns will always be very present in the U.S. whether they're made legal or not, due to a multitude of reasons, so people that own them may as well enjoy them within reason(whether that means hunting, target shooting, or simply talking about them).
Now, if you're talking about people that know nothing of guns and get on talking about how kewl they are, that's most likely children and trolls, enough said. If by "their country's ability to kill" you mean the U.S. military, that's people either being patriotic(not in a good way), which not just Americans do, or once again, children(My dad can beat up your dad. Oh yeah? Well my country can blow up your country), or in some cases, it's just people genuinely having a serious conversation about the military, as it interests them.
Also, dafuq you mean by "addicted"? I think the word you're looking for is obsessed, which most people aren't.
[Edited on 01.05.2013 12:42 AM PST]