It's important to Americans because it's been sold to us as a fictitious part of a national identity. The gun industry has very successfully crafted this narrative, to the point where so many people take it for granted now, but it wasn't always this way; this is a thing that developed in (depending on age) some of our lifetimes.

Here's a book that takes a closer look at how guns took on this sort of mythic role -- more special than other tools and appliances -- in American identity:

https://www.pamelahaag.com/books/gunning-of-america/

Funny. I kinda thought it was the U.S. Constitution that sold us on guns.

No, and until 2008's Heller vs DC decision, private gun ownership was not considered an established right. America's status as a gun-loving nation is a relatively modern invention, and entirely one devised by gun manufacturers. It's working, too (and with somewhat predictable results).

> until 2008's Heller vs DC decision, private gun ownership was not considered an established right.

Only in certain circles.