Should I talk to the neighbours?

[Yogi05]

Why do so many gun owners feel the need to find an excuse to let people know they have guns?

Do I need to tell police I have a gun in the car......
Using your PAL as I.D. whenever you get the chance (and then surprised they have no idea what it is)

If neighbours ask because their kids come over, discuss it. Otherwise it's just another hobby and no one's business.

[Zinilin]

Why do so many gun owners feel the need to find an excuse to let people know they have guns?...

It makes the idea of ownership more common, less unusual and less scary.
The more people that know or are personally aware of people that own firearms and did not read about them in the news, the better.
If you hide something long enough it becomes unusual, deviant and taboo.