OPINION:
After hearing gun owners try to justify owning the AR-15, I must say that they are not being forthright.
The AR-15 is an assault weapon. The small caliber of the round is one of the reasons; it was designed to do the most damage. It tumbles after entering a body. And the fact that civilians are not allowed to own it in its fully automatic version does not make it any less of an assault weapon.
You can ask any military rifleman about the most effective mode for killing someone using the weapon and he will say semi-automatic mode. You can take aim and fire quickly, and with a 30-round clip kill nearly 30 people in a minute or two. If you use the weapon on automatic, spraying out 30 rounds, you will be lucky to kill half as many people.
There is no reason for citizens to own semi-automatic weapons, especially the AR-15. These weapons should all be banned. For hunting and self-protection, bolt-action rifles, revolvers and pump-action shotguns are quite adequate. At a minimum, ammo clips should be limited to 10 rounds.
AUSTIN KUDER
Seven Hills, Ohio
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