The Next Time Someone Calls an AR-15 an Assault Rifle, Show Them This

The Next Time Someone Calls an AR-15 an Assault Rifle, Show Them This
The AR-15 is being dubbed the “weapon of choice” for mass shooters.
And the act of terrorism in Orlando has renewed calls for an “assault weapons” ban.
But by any definition of the term, the AR-15 is not an assault rifle.
What constitutes an assault rifle?
An assault rifle needs to hit the mark on three different characteristics.

• 1. An assault rifle has selective fire.

That means that the user can toggle between at least two settings, semiautomatic and automatic.
The AR-15 is a gas powered semiautomatic rifle, meaning one pull of the trigger corresponds to only one round being fired.
In contrast, the M16 and sometimes the M4, which are the United States military’s small arms rifle of choice, do fire automatically.
The M16 and M4 also allow a three-round burst option, which is also not possible on an AR-15.

• 2. An assault rifle fires an intermediate cartridge.

An intermediate cartridge is less powerful than standard full power battle rifle cartridges, but is still more powerful than the common pistol cartridges.
The 5.56 NATO round, used in the M16, is an intermediate cartridge.
So is the .223, used in the AR-15.

• 3. An assault rifle will have a detachable magazine.

The AR-15, like the M16 and the M4, have detachable magazines.
But virtually every modern firearm uses detachable magazines.

• Cosmetics.

The AR-15 looks very similar to the M16, which is an actual assault rifle.
They are both heavily customizable and have many of the same features.
An AR-15 owner can tack on scopes, muzzle brakes, and spiffy slings.
The user can interchange lowers and swap out magazines as well.
The AR-15 and the M16 look very similar.
Some misconceptions about the AR-15..."
Read on and educate yourself and your family!