I’m just curious, has owning a gun ever actually protected you or is more of just a peace of mind

It is not all about protection, and I see it no different than housing choices or car purchases. I mean why buy a big home when you can live in an apartment the rest of your life, or why buy a Corvette when a Hyundai gets you from point A to point B! I have guns because I like to hunt and recreate shooting them LEGALLY. It is my Constitutional right that I served in the US Army 27 years to have suffering 11 major surgeries and PTSD for! And if by heaven forbid it; that I need it for home/self defense then I have it. These are my reasons; just like I decided to wear what you wear instead of the the standard men's wear, it is about person choice and legal ownership to me.