Taking a look at this year's Gun Digest

Despite the waves of negative publicity that bombard us in the wake of any crime involving guns, the firearms industry is thriving.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reports that the number of gun manufacturers (making more than 50 guns per year) grew from 318 in 2012 to 400 in 2014, and continues to grow by about 25 percent every two years. Industry foundation manufacturer Remington is celebrating its 200th year; Winchester celebrated its 150th in 2016.

That's just a broad sweep describing a fragment of the industry. The rich history of firearms goes hand-in-hand with the history of peoples and countries which used them. For example, the history of the Luger - designed in 1900 - spans two world wars, the Spanish Civil War, the Russian Revolution and the post-1898 U.S. Calvary.

I won't be purchasing a Luger any time soon. My utilitarian stable of guns is a meager one at best, but includes calibers and gauges I think everyone should have: a self-defense handgun, a .22 rifle, a hunting rifle for larger game, and various shotguns (from .410 to 12 gauge, pump, break-open and semi-automatic). Yet I would describe myself as a firearms enthusiast who enjoys shooting, hunting and learning about firearms in general, including their history.

When I picked up the Gun Digest 2017, 71st edition, touted as 'the world's greatest gun book" I expected to see pages upon pages of catalog-style entries - images of firearms and a description - and there are about 200 pages like that. That section includes ballistics tables and complete listings of handguns, rifles, shotguns, black powder guns and air guns.

That's the section which, as I looked through it, made me remember my young self, paging through a Sears catalog, dog earing pages that I hoped my parents would see before Christmas.

Fast forward to my present life, and I'm looking at gun pictures with the same wishful thinking. In fact, I dogeared the model that is presently tops on my Wish List, the Benelli Super Black Eagle II Waterfowl Edition. Let's see, it costs more than how much I got for my 2004 Suburban when I sold it, but a girl can dream.

I was pleasantly surprised to find much more in the digest, such as the history of the Luger. There are also articles about weapons used by U.S. forces during WW I, the history of the Model 98 Mauser rifle, the growing popularity of the 6.5 mm rifles, and an amazing story about arms used in the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War of 1854 - the swords and lances were much more effective than the muzzle-loading pistols and carbines of that time. Our friends in law enforcement will enjoy the history of the Smith & Wesson police revolver (introduced in 1899)

There are also instructional articles, such as one by Nick Sisley, who I know as a fellow contributor to Gun Dog magazine. Nick writes about effective long-range shot gunning in his "Wing Shooting Tips - Beyond the Basics." Another article showcases the finest examples of beauty and artistry in the world of the custom and engraved gun. There are articles about guns owned by famous people, such as a W.J. Jeffery Double Rifle owned by country singer Hank Williams Jr.

The 2017 Gun Digest, edited by Jerry Lee and Chris Berens, is a product of F & W Media, Inc., Krause Publications. It's been on my kitchen table since I got it, and I enjoy paging through another story or section along with my morning coffee. To get one of your own, go to www.gundigeststore.com or call 800-258-0929.