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Title: Misleading MSN Article: The AR-15 and America's love of military-style weapons
Source:
MSN
URL Source: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/t ... tO0?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartandhp
Published: Feb 23, 2018
Author: staff
Post Date: 2018-02-23 13:28:14 by buckeroo
Keywords: None
Views: 9409
Comments: 76
Time and again, America's worst mass shootings have featured a common thread: the killer's use of a military-style assault rifle that is inexpensive, easy to use and deadly efficient.The type of weapon, commonly known as the AR-15, is once again under scrutiny with critics calling for a ban after last week's massacre at a Florida high school that left 17 people dead.
- Why are AR-15s so lethal? -
The AR-15 is a semi-automatic weapon, meaning a user can fire off multiple shots in quick succession. Its cousin, the M-16, is a fully automatic version that has been used by the US military since Vietnam. Fully automatic weapons are banned for civilians.
AR-15s fire high-velocity .223-caliber bullets that are accurate over long distances and cause expansive, devastating wounds to soft tissue and internal organs.
These bullets – which travel at triple the speed of a handgun round – are popular among hunters for hitting targets up to a quarter of a mile (400 meters) away.
Stephen Paddock, the killer in last October's mass shooting in Las Vegas, had amassed an arsenal of weapons including assault rifles. He fired more than 1,100 rounds from a hotel suite into a crowd of concertgoers more than 400 yards (meters) away.
The toll was 58 dead and more than 800 injured, making it the deadliest mass shooting in recent US history.
- Cheap and easy -
Buying an AR-15 is easy. Depending on the state of residence, a prospective owner can walk into a gun shop and, after presenting a valid ID, buy a rifle or shotgun provided they can pass a federal background check.
This process looks at a buyer's criminal history or whether he has ever been committed to a mental institution. But even this cursory check can be flouted in the case of private sales.
Nikolas Cruz, the man police say carried out last week's massacre at a Florida high school, had legally purchased the AR-15-type weapon used in the attack and had passed an FBI background check.
Aged just 18 at the time, the review didn't raise any red flags. In many states, one only needs to be 18 to buy an assault rifle – three years below the American age restriction on alcohol.
Many Americans can simply go online and order weapons for delivery. AR-15s vary in price but can be bought for as little as $500.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) touts them for recreational target practice, hunting and home defense, although experts question their value for the latter two uses.
Part of the reason for assault weapons' popularity in America is that they are widely customizable, with owners able to add scopes, large-capacity magazines and a plethora of other accessories.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives doesn't know how many assault weapons there are in America – they are prohibited by federal law from keeping a gun registry database.
According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the gun industry currently sells an estimated 1.3 million "modern sporting rifles and similar types of guns" each year.
Estimates vary, but there are thought to be as many guns as people in America, which has a population of more than 320 million.
Assault weapons were banned in 1994 under president Bill Clinton, but the restriction lapsed in 2004 amid pressure from the powerful NRA, and congressional efforts to renew the prohibition since then have failed.
- Bump stocks -
Vegas gunman Paddock increased the firing rate of the assault rifles he used with the addition of a "bump stock." Largely unheard of outside of America, these legal devices essentially turn a semi-automatic weapon into an automatic one.
The devices clip on to the back end of a rifle and harness the gun's recoil to bounce the weapon's trigger off the user's finger.
So, instead of a gunman having to squeeze the trigger repeatedly, the bump stock does the work for him, allowing him to empty a magazine in seconds.
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday he would support moves to ban the devices, and the NRA has said bump stocks "should be subject to additional regulations."
Did you notice the tone of the MSM - MSN Article was from "military-style weapons" to "Assault Weapons"; it is important as the MSM is seducing average Americans into a blind alley: all of these firearms are semi-automatic in nature; and they do not necessarily appear as "assault weapons."
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 27.
I was considering whether I should finally buy an AR-15, an ammo stash and some accessories. I was thinking that I was being a little too much of a worrywart. Then I saw Ben Shapiro put out a video, saying that he was thinking the same thing and has been shopping for one himself. Shapiro's a smart guy, not extreme at all. So I'm reconsidering.
The Trump election has ruined the huge sales enjoyed by Big Gun during the 0bama years. 0dinga was the greatest gun salesman in American history. But I think we'll see an uptick in gun purchases as a direct result of all the gungrabbing talk going on now. It's not exactly prophetic since that is what has happened after so many other massacres and the resulting calls for gungrabbing.
#20. To: Tooconservative (#1)
I was considering whether I should finally buy an AR-15, an ammo stash and some accessories. I was thinking that I was being a little too much of a worrywart. Then I saw Ben Shapiro put out a video, saying that he was thinking the same thing and has been shopping for one himself. Shapiro's a smart guy, not extreme at all. So I'm reconsidering.
I have the AP-4.
Got a good group rate going in with 15 others I served with in Iraq. We made it a commemorative edition for our rotation and invited 1st Cav vets to join in. Knocked the price down $200.
Quite a few ranges don't like the AR-15 class damaging their targets but plenty of friends with land to play around.
#27. To: redleghunter, sneakypete, misterwhite (#20)
I have the AP-4. Got a good group rate going in with 15 others I served with in Iraq. We made it a commemorative edition for our rotation and invited 1st Cav vets to join in. Knocked the price down $200.
I like the reviews. I like that it is more suited for hunting. The price is pretty good.
Then I started noticing price/package deals online for DPMS AR-15s. MSRP: $739, or GunsAmerica at $599 + $29.95 shipping to your local FFL shop. I found another new-in-box DPMS AR-15 for $399 + $30 shipping. Which almost sounds too low. But NIB is NIB and they seem to have a good reputation.
That's a very compelling price on the AR-15. Ready for any customized options, considered a very good value AR-15 gun. The AP-4 is a little higher and customizing it seems unnecessarily hard/expensive with some common options seeming to be unavailable for the AP-4. Maybe I haven't shopped enough for the AP-4 accessories.
I probably want a scope, not too high-end, along with a red-dot sight. And maybe basic flashlight/laser grip, not too bulky. Because half of the day, it's dark. Those accessories are very widely available for the AR-15 but it seems the AP-4 buyers aren't looking for as much customization.
The AP-4 looks like a fine gun though. Reliable, stopping power, better range than an AR-15 will give you. I do kinda dislike buying an AR-15 because it just isn't quite a real hunting gun and the AP-4 is definitely as good for hunting as much as home defense against zombie armies and Google's robot killers.
Maybe I just need to shop more to find a better price for the AP-4 and try harder to find the few accessories that I do want.
Sometimes I just hate to shop. Having too many choices can make me less satisfied with my purchase. And overshopping really can ruin a purchase.
Replies to Comment # 27.
#28. To: Tooconservative (#27)
The AP-4 is the civilian version of the M-4. The M-16 with collapsible stock. We all had the Tac sites with option of the flashlight too.
For my civilian version I just use iron sites. Probably because I want the boys to learn basic sites and zeroing before the fancy stuff.
However here is something you might like to look at.
BSA Tactical Sight/Laser/Flashlight Combo
Item # WX2-231158
Mfg. Number: TW30RDLL
UPC: 793676041506IN STOCK
#34. To: Tooconservative (#27)
The AP-4 looks like a fine gun though. Reliable, stopping power, better range than an AR-15 will give you. I do kinda dislike buying an AR-15 because it just isn't quite a real hunting gun and the AP-4 is definitely as good for hunting as much as home defense against zombie armies and Google's robot killers.Maybe I just need to shop more to find a better price for the AP-4 and try harder to find the few accessories that I do want.
Sometimes I just hate to shop. Having too many choices can make me less satisfied with my purchase. And overshopping really can ruin a purchase.
Do yourself a favor and just buy a FN-FAL in 7x57 or 7.62x51 caliber.
#42. To: Tooconservative (#27)
I probably want a scope, not too high-end, along with a red-dot sight.
Check out the Vortex SPARC II red dot. $200. 2 MOA dot. Waterproof. Dust caps. Auto power off. Multi-Height Mounting System. Unlimited lifetime warranty (Fully transferable).
End Trace Mode for Comment # 27.
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