Who needs an AR rifle? That’s not for me to say

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“... A well-regulated Militia, composed of the Gentlemen, Freeholders, and other Freemen was necessary to protect our ancient laws and liberty from the standing army ... ... Read More 

“... A well-regulated Militia, composed of the Gentlemen, Freeholders, and other Freemen was necessary to protect our ancient laws and liberty from the standing army ... And we do each of us, for ourselves respectively, promise and engage to keep a good Fire-lock in proper order & to furnish Ourselves as soon as possible with, & always keep by us, one Pound of Gunpowder, four Pounds of Lead, one Dozen Gun Flints, and a pair of Bullet Moulds, with a Cartouch Box, or powder horn, and Bag for Balls.” - George Mason - 1770.

This was written after the Boston Massacre and before the Declaration of Independence, during a firearms confiscation scheme enacted by the government enforced by the standing army.
In the "language of the day “the term” Well regulated means properly functioning and the list following "composed of" was the population at large. The Freestanding Army referenced is obviously the British Army (IE.. the Government), and the supply list was at the time a full combat load in the arms technology of the day.

I hear and see people touting the belief that the founding fathers didn’t know anything about modern weapons and "high capacity magazines" and therefore the 2nd amendment doesn’t apply or should only apply to shotguns and muskets. I disagree, The Founding Fathers were intelligent men, they understood Technology moves forward and no doubt weapons tech would as well. That made no difference to them; the Idea was that the People be armed just as the standing army of the time was armed. That principal has NOT changed, nor have the reasons for it.
Since Congress passed the Posse Comitatus Act (18 USCS Sec. 1385) in 1878, making it illegal for the government to deploy its military against “we the people” (My words-) There have been at least 114 instances of use of U.S. military against its own citizens participating in “unrest,” 1878–1994. That number grows to 136 if you go back to 1775.
“Of the people, by the people, for the people”?... Really?
I submit that the modern equivalent to the “Boston Massacre” is “Kent State” and the modern equivalent for that supply list is a battle rifle, assault rifle / carbine the magazines to feed it, 200 rounds of ammunition and the load bearing equipment to transport it.
The politics of power and greed that drove this have not changed, nor has the ability of a government to put down an armed populace. What HAS changed is the intestinal fortitude, morals, and values of our population.
Nothing makes me angrier than an elected official telling ME what I “NEED”. “If it only saves one life” is NOT a reason to strip us of our rights, especially the one that guarantees the rest.
And to answer your question Alvin: I need an “Assault Rifle”.

 

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Save yourselves some embarrassment and at the least "GOOGLE" the subject matter before posting...

Tsk-tsk!

 

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Thanks for info......always thought that AR stood for
(another round) which came in handy due to my lack
of skills with gun...Good with bow and arrow.

 

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I used an m16

I mostly eat chicken and beef - that weapon is fine for hunting either animal.

 

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Carter ok.

So armalite rifle rifle

Still makes no sense. Thanks.

 

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I would love to have an M-14, though. That is the rifle my Dad went through basic with, and what he was first issued during his time in Vietnam. Love the short action .308 ... Read More 

I would love to have an M-14, though. That is the rifle my Dad went through basic with, and what he was first issued during his time in Vietnam. Love the short action .308 round, too...

 

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Robert, we think alike. Colt bought the rights in 1959 and it totally replaced the M-14 in Vietnam by the mid to late 60s.

 

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Actually... AR stands for "ArmaLite Rifle," not "Assault Rifle." Eugene Stoner worked for ArmaLite when he designed the rifle back in the 50s. But... ... Read More 

Actually... AR stands for "ArmaLite Rifle," not "Assault Rifle." Eugene Stoner worked for ArmaLite when he designed the rifle back in the 50s. But... you are right that "AR rifle" would be redundant. Haha.

 

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Alvin, Nice try. AR does not stand for assault rifle. I spent over 20 years in the Army as an Infantry Officer. Long before Colt bought the rights to what is now the M-16, ... Read More 

Alvin, Nice try. AR does not stand for assault rifle. I spent over 20 years in the Army as an Infantry Officer. Long before Colt bought the rights to what is now the M-16, the Fairchild ArmaLite corporation developed the AR-15, a smaller version (5.56 mm) of the AR-10, which was a 7.62 mm weapon. Colt bought the rights to the gun and made a ton of money selling the M-16 to the Army during Vietnam. The civilian version is still called the AR-15, which stands for ArmaLite Rifle, not assault rifle.

This is a good article but I live by the adage that one should chose the largest calibe he/she can accurately and safely handle. The AR-15 is essentially a large 22 calibre (.223). I prefer a 45 calibre for home defense and 30 and 45 calibre rifles for hunting. But to each his own.

 

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AR stands for assault rifle.

Who needs an assault rifle rifle.

Nice job, well written.