+1 Peg, My Grandfather passed down his Mauser, and an old Ward's Western Field bolt action .410 (actually a Mossberg),...and although he was not strong enough to shoot them anymore, our first/last trip to the range, with those guns, is one I'll never forget.
He told me my eyes would get as big as silver dollars after one shot with that Mauser. As he stood behind me, I fired it for the first time (at 16), and turned to his already smiling face, and my eyes were as big. He knew the rifle and shotgun would be in the family, and taken care of.
I told my 15 year old son the same thing, when he shot that Mauser for the first time, and sure enough, he had the same reaction, and I was already smiling. I hope to take that rifle to the range with my future Grandson, one day.
It's important, it's tradition, and our RIGHT, to own, enjoy, and eventually pass down our shooting treasures to our family.
Sorry for the sentimental rant, but family firearms strike a chord when handed down. As they should be.