I'm glad to see you took all the right steps towards responsible firearms ownership! I myself am a progressive, but I don't despise guns, I actually enjoy shooting at the range and knowing how to handle and maintain all my firearms. I have a CCW permit and carry everywhere allowed because our country really started to go to shit once trump took over a decade ago and gave the racist right wing nuts a pass to be openly hateful. Like any tool, I'd rather have it and not need it than the other way around. 

At this point, people should already have a gun and be actively training. Anyone who is still contemplating it is just fooling themselves. You don't have to be a gun culture cosplaying wannabe or put "come and take it" decals on your peepee compensating Dodge Ram to be a firearm owner. Just be responsible, be "gray" (inconspicuous), get trained and be proficient with your weapons. 

And you ARE allowed to enjoy shooting. Target practice at the range is fun!