Yep, doesn't make sense, does it? But then they think they same way about some of our cultural nuisances.
...like the not shooting each other ones? there was a gun check in at Boa airport... and yet lighters were not allowed!
How else are you going to fly with your gun? Amazingly, most of the population of the US live rather ordinary suburban lives, and aren't constantly blazing away at each other with firearms.
Well isn’t it obvious? You’re on a long haul flight from London to Hawaii, the person in the next seat says “I’ve always wondered what a Magnum .44 looks like up close?” You reach into your hand luggage and “make their day”. If I had a quid for every time that’s happened to me.......
If someone sitting next to me wants to know what a magnum looks like, I’ll tell them to put on a Hawaiian shirt and grow a moustache
Who knows? Perfectly permissible to own one. If I lived in the wilds of Kentucky, say, I'd have a gun as well. Never know who's coming to call.
For the kid that keeps reclining their seat into your lap, I reckon a quick .308 head-shot should be sufficient.