A good point made here regarding firearms. Many Japanese people might wonder at how casually Americans seem to handle guns. Do not be perturbed. Many Americans (most, in "red states" with strong gun culture) are instructed in the proper handling of firearms at an early age. The "four rules of gun safety" are taken extremely seriously and expected to be followed at all times. These rules are multiply redundant; if you break one, you will be saved if you're still following the others, so following them all, at all times, as best you are able, is of paramount importance. Any mistake with a firearm could result in the death of yourself or a beloved family member, so it's a matter of the greatest seriousness.
Hence why Americans learn at a young age - not only to ensure they will not play with their parents firearms and be hurt by accident, but also because this heavy responsibility is considered equivalent to the responsibilities of adult life in their entirety. Being entrusted with firearms is a rite of passage to adulthood.
In addition to this, there's a strong culture of "correction;" if you see another gun owner breaking one of the rules, you remind him so he can correct himself. Thus, the rules of gun safety become so ingrained that one practices them almost unconsciously. This helps guarantee safety. (This correction is supposed to be helpful, not judgemental, but as you might guess annoying people sometimes go too far with it, usually in the comment sections of internet videos.)
Thus the way Americans handle firearms is largely informed and supported by the culture they grew up in. (There are more implications and aspects to this but that's a bit long to type here.)
When I am training someone new to firearms, I don't mind if they're scared of them. This just means they're a sensible person; they respect the power of the weapon. It's a good starting point for the comfortable mastery you see on display in many of the fun pictures Americans post.
平等の象徴でありアイデンティティなんだなってのは理解できた
それはそれとして、武器だからやっぱり怖い気持ちもある