Of course it's good for self defense. It's a weapon military(s) use(ed) to go to war with. But a civilian doesn't need it.
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[quote]Of course it's good for self defense. It's a weapon military(s) use(ed) to go to war with. But a civilian doesn't need it.[/quote] One... more time. The Ar-15 is not a military weapon. It is the civilian (aka: sporter) version of the military arm. In other words "it LOOKS like the military weapon" but has a non-military and civilian legal functionality. A civilian AR-15 has as much in common with a military M-16 as the car on the highway has with it's NASCAR namesake. In other words, the military weapon isn't "street legal". [url=http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/ar15.jpeg]This rifle[/url] is functionally identical and has more in common with [url=http://www.davechampion.net/uploads/images/forsale/Mini%2014%20ranch.JPG]this rifle[/url] than either do with the Military Weapon that is the M-16. Both fire the same cartridge (.223 vs the 5.56), shoot the same number of times for each pull of the trigger (1 vs 3 round burst and/or FULL auto) and both are legal for civilians where the M-16 is illegal in all of the US for a civilian to own unless they have specific and onerous federal approval, and even then may be illegal according to state law.
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Pistols and shotguns account for more murders a year than then rifles do. [url=http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/tables/table-20][1][/url] Fists, hammers and bludgeons kill more people a year than Rifles. [url=http://www2.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2009/offenses/expanded_information/data/shrtable_08.html][2][/url] So why is everyone targeting rifles? Rifles never have been the issue.
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[quote]I understand. However I still believe civilians don't need rifles. A pistol or shotgun would have done fine in this situation.[/quote] Civilians don't need rifles? Pardon my curiosity, but where do you live? In most of the geography of this continent, a rifle is a far more effective, useful and functional tool than a handgun. As far as a potential "murder weapon" the number of firearm deaths annually in the US by rifles (300-400) -vs handguns (6,000 - 7,000) is minuscule. Let me find the data. [url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100412084914/http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/offenses/expanded_information/data/shrtable_07.html]FBI data[/url] Rifles are not "murder machines".
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[quote][quote]I understand. However I still believe civilians don't need rifles. A pistol or shotgun would have done fine in this situation.[/quote] Civilians don't need rifles? Pardon my curiosity, but where do you live? In most of the geography of this continent, a rifle is a far more effective, useful and functional tool than a handgun. As far as a potential "murder weapon" the number of firearm deaths annually in the US by rifles (300-400) -vs handguns (6,000 - 7,000) is minuscule. Let me find the data. [url=http://web.archive.org/web/20100412084914/http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/offenses/expanded_information/data/shrtable_07.html]FBI data[/url] Rifles are not "murder machines".[/quote] That was 8 years ago. Maybe if there was more recent data I might have my opinion changed, but as far as I know, mass shootings involves guns that can carry a lot of bullets. Like a assault rifle. You don't hear or see many mass shootings involving a shotgun or handgun as the primary weapon.
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Pretty sure the Smith & Wesson M&P15 with the 100-round drum magazine did more damage then the shotgun. And even IF all he used was that shotgun and pistol, I'm sure more people would have lived and less would had been injured.
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That's quite the broad generalization. Shotguns are loud, more unwieldy, and have a low capacity. Pistols are much more difficult to use and can have a limited amount of rounds compared to an AR15. An AR15 can be short, easier to use, and be much more accurate than either of those options.
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And if someone were to get a hold on that ar15, he could walk into a mall and shoot(how many bullets it fits in a mag) and kill more people then if the person were to walk into a wall with a handgun or shotgun.
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A person that walks into a shopping mall and fires into a crowd is obvious mentally ill and thanks to our crappy mental health system (s)he wasn't able to get the help (s)he needs. Most murders are committed with a handgun since they are easier to conceal. Heck most 9mm can have up to 18 rounds in a standard magazine.