I dunno about most, but for myself I put "real steel" parts on my airsoft guns because they're made of stronger materials and can take more of a pounding than their airsoft counterparts. Prices for real and airsoft parts can vary but on the whole I've found they're relatively similar. And being similar, why not go with the stronger alternative? I'm not very gentle with my kit
As for firearms rights, they tend to change a little from time to time here but guns aren't unavailable. If our new government would do away with the silly gun registration the last government installed I'm sure that would make many people happy.