"How the AR-15 became the bestselling rifle in the U.S."

[WillBrink]

One of the most cringe worthy things you will hear, if you can stand it. The reporter obviously spoke to no one with any real knowledge, but rehashed what he'd read in other sources that didn't know squat about the AR-15 and the rnd it usually fires. I didn't read this guys articles in the WP as it requires a membership. I do like Gross when she interviews authors and such, but this one is the stupid leading the blind. Yes, the 5.56 is more lethal then a typical handgun, but is a varmint rnd compared to what typical hunting rifles put out:

How the AR-15 became the bestselling rifle in the U.S.

[prepare]

From Mike at SOLGW

336032657_3289561961297185_7178957055870366153_n.jpg

[SteyrAUG]

Actually you can thank Bill Clinton, the domestic assault weapon ban of 1994-2004 probably did more than any other thing to convince people they need an AR-15.

[prepare]

The blame game fixes nothing.

You only have the rights you take period.

Americans are like the Jews in the the 30's doing nothing while their way of life is being taken from them.

[Jellybean]

Actually you can thank Bill Clinton, the domestic assault weapon ban of 1994-2004 probably did more than any other thing to convince people they need an AR-15.

I don't quite see it that way - that didn't convince people they "need" one, that was "yay we can finally get those rifles we wanted and not refurbish ancient $40 gun show mags". And of course the GWOT was just kicking up, so there was that element of copycat "want one" too. But not a pressing need.

2013 and 2016+
That's what did it.
2013 was when people realized that just because something had "sunset" doesn't mean it was off the table. All the bitching about " 'Bama's gonna take your guns" suddenly came within a Feinstein c**t hair of being reality.
That and one to many "block parties" post 2016 election was what convinced people they NEED them.


Anyway, f*** NPR, I already know what they are going to say, and it's wrong.
They want an answer for why?
It's easy - they and the rest of their little leftist buddies did it themselves. Their incessant anti-gun beat, political baiting, and pandering to "certain groups" has only spurred people to buy more.
Before it was a hobby with some constitutional connotations.
Now it's a need people can realize by simply watching the news.
The only thing amusing about the whole situation is how they've very effectively managed to up the quality and capability civilian arms across the board.

[ChattanoogaPhil]

I kinda figured it started with all the Vietnam war movies and went from there.

[SteyrAUG]

I kinda figured it started with all the Vietnam war movies and went from there.

In the early 80s I vividly remember people who said two things at gun shows:

1. Those AR-15s are what got everyone killed in Vietnam, you should buy a Mini 14 instead.

2. What do I need one of those for, I have my [insert Fudd rifle here].

While there was some black rifle crowd, lots of people bought into the BS that these are "drug dealer guns" which is what then drug czar Bill Bennett used as justification when asking Bush 41 for the 89 import ban.

But it wasn't until Bill Clinton said "you can't have one" that everyone went "but now I feel like I need one."

Perspective is important, Bill Clinton and the gun control crowd really did believe they finally got rid of "evil military style weapons" once and for all. NOBODY expected anyone to make a "ban compliant" rifle with no bayo lug, an obnoxiously loud muzzle brake and a non collapsible M4 "style" stock but they've been underestimating us for years.

The same people turned ordinary gun owners into armorers once everyone figured out "ban compliant 922r" rifles could be created with US receivers and some US made parts. AKs actually got cheaper than they ever were during the 80s. FALs and Uzis were suddenly available for half the price of a quality AR rifle when parts kits flooded the market.

[ViniVidivici]

It's true that the domestic enemy has had a large part in inadvertently pushing greater levels of civilian gun ownership.

Hell, the idiot-clowns here in WA have caused an unprecedented surge in ownership recently, with their paper-with-words-that-hold-no-iron, also known as AWB, that's passed and about to be signed any day now.

Seen a guy who owned NO ARs just a week ago, now owns 4.

I am now hugely stocked up on parts.

These shitstains just keep motivating us to keep 2 or 3 steps ahead of them.

[jsbhike]

In the early 80s I vividly remember people who said two things at gun shows:

1. Those AR-15s are what got everyone killed in Vietnam, you should buy a Mini 14 instead.

2. What do I need one of those for, I have my [insert Fudd rifle here].

While there was some black rifle crowd, lots of people bought into the BS that these are "drug dealer guns" which is what then drug czar Bill Bennett used as justification when asking Bush 41 for the 89 import ban.

But it wasn't until Bill Clinton said "you can't have one" that everyone went "but now I feel like I need one."

Perspective is important, Bill Clinton and the gun control crowd really did believe they finally got rid of "evil military style weapons" once and for all. NOBODY expected anyone to make a "ban compliant" rifle with no bayo lug, an obnoxiously loud muzzle brake and a non collapsible M4 "style" stock but they've been underestimating us for years.

The same people turned ordinary gun owners into armorers once everyone figured out "ban compliant 922r" rifles could be created with US receivers and some US made parts. AKs actually got cheaper than they ever were during the 80s. FALs and Uzis were suddenly available for half the price of a quality AR rifle when parts kits flooded the market.

Yep and the firearms market actually took a dip from 2001 till part way in to Bush II's 2nd term.

[ViniVidivici]

Yeah, I do remember the days when ARs were the "expensive" gun, and AKs were cheap.