# Why I Keep AR-15 Platform Rifles **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 8, 2018, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269 "2018-03-08T23:54:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Corry\_El](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Corry\_El](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corry_El)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/181 "2018-03-13T18:55:14Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > As for the percentage argument. A very high percentage of drivers never hurt anyone, yet we still license them. A very high percentage of DWI trips don’t result in accident or injuries, yet we try to prevent them. It would seem the absolute number of gun fatalities is enough that some sort of licensing or regulation is reasonable. That’s the case for near every other risk factor, isn’t it? > If we made these drugs as easy to get as guns, we wouldn’t have to worry about illegal use of them, would we? Just the impact of their use. Lucky there is no constitutional amendment about the right to take drugs. But you seemed to use the ‘high % don’t cause a problem’ argument. Anyway the issue is not whether to regulate things in principal, except at the real extreme. The practical issues are much more complicated than yes or no on any regulation at all. And as much as the 2nd amendment is mentioned on both sides of the gun control debate, it’s actually pretty rare that state or local govt have been able to enact gun laws that got thrown out in court over the 2nd amendment. And nationally in the US the political limit to getting the votes for gun control legislation comes _way_ before any obstacle in the courts wrt to the 2nd amendment. Again at the extreme of fanciful internet debate (‘let’s ban guns’, yes or no) the 2nd amendment would be a real obstacle. In political reality the second amendment is a mountain far in the distance for the pro-gun control people with loads of hills to climb politically before they’d ever get to it, and little sign so far they will get to it. Look at the dynamics of the Democrats trying to take back the House like in special election in PA. Same old idea of ‘folksy’ Democrats from red areas claiming they are no friends of Nancy Pelosi, etc. To some extent they can go back on that once elected: what would be the point of running as a Democrat otherwise? But those swing votes which would deliver Congress can’t go for tight nation gun control (_within_ the 2nd amendment ) or they’d just lose those seats right back. In that political situation I guess I too would try to play up the 2nd amendment and NRA as to why _I_ was unwilling to lose my seat voting for national gun control. Doesn’t make it so. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/182 "2018-03-13T19:18:54Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Then why waste your money “just to prove a point”? Do you plan on telling people you have it? If not, what does your secret protest move do for whatever it is you are promoting here? If you plan on telling people about it while letting the rifle collect dust in locked storage, why not just tell people you did it and forgo the actual purchase-who would know the difference? I wouldn’t tell anybody. Just like I don’t tell anybody I _don’t_ own a gun. And I never said I would\* never\* use it, I probably _would_ plink with it from time to time and I don’t think target shooting is an illegitimate use for a gun, and that’s just, like, my opinion, man. I don’t see why it’s so offensive to you that I’d “waste” some disposable income on something that might gather dust. It’s not \*your \*money. My dad has a bunch of guns I’ve never personally seen him shoot. I’ll probably inherit them someday, and I’ll probably hock them, since they’re either hunting rifles (don’t hunt), or too big a caliber handguns for home defense. Big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/183 "2018-03-13T19:25:24Z")
I didn’t find it “offensive”-there are degrees between “I support you 100%!” and “I am offended!”, and I was just curious as to why you would buy this gun just because it was suddenly about to become unavailable. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/184 "2018-03-13T19:34:22Z")
> [@](#): > > I didn’t find it “offensive”-there are degrees between “I support you 100%!” and “I am offended!”, and I was just curious as to why you would buy this gun just because it was suddenly about to become unavailable. I don’t know man. There’s probably some psychological theory behind it that I’m not going to bother looking up. Probably the same reason people hoarded booze before prohibition. I still have some unused Coke Zeros, FWIW. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/185 "2018-03-13T20:04:32Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > I don’t own an AR-15. I don’t own a gun period. But if any serious legislation comes down the pike to ban their sale, either at a state or federal level, you can be damn sure I’m going to pick one up. > > I have no fantasies about zombie apocalypse, or some home invasion, or what ever. Hell, I may not even fire a shot, though I might plink at a range. I think a compact shotgun is better for home defense any day of the week. If I’m every feeling I’m needing home defense I’m gonna pick up one of [these puppies](https://www.keltecweapons.com/shotguns/ksg). According to our local firearms expert posters, the AR-15 is **the best** choice for home defense. > [@](#): > > I do think we have a right to bear arms, and I think targeting current legal guns is completely stupid as [I allude to in my previous post](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=850167). You want to completely eliminate shootings long term, you’re going to have to ban and confiscate every gun in america. 2nd amendment advocates know this, and “gun control” advocates know this too. Some are even [coming right out and saying it.](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/opinion/guns-second-amendment-nra.html) Fortunately I don’t think that will ever happen, so I likely will never buy an AR. The idea is not to completely eliminate shootings long term, as that isn’t possible. The idea is to have the trend of shootings going down over the long term, or at least prevent it from going up. If you will only take measures that you think are 100% effective all of the time, then you will never do anything. > [@](#): > > I have absolutely zero concern about killing somebody accidentally or falling into the wrong hands. If you said, “I am responsible, and I will take all reasonable precautions to prevent accidentally killing someone, or allowing my guns to fall into the wrong hands.” then I could get behind that. As it is something that is possible, unless you think that you are taking a measure that is effective 100% of the time, it is something that you should have at least some level of concern about, lest you become complacent. > [@StraightTalk](#): > > I don’t get fear from the OP. All I get is awareness. I get the feeling that some of you envision Bone walking around his house wearing a holster with a gun that he draws and has at the ready every time the doorbell rings. I don’t think that is the case AT ALL. HurricaneDikta sleeps in a holster. > [@by k9bfriender](#): > > … Just so we are clear, if you hear the sound of breaking and entering in your house in the dead of night, and you have equally convenient access to a handgun (it can be any handgun you like) and an AR-15, you would choose the AR-15? > [@I don't think banning AR-15s would make a dent in mass shootings.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-dont-think-banning-ar-15s-would-make-a-dent-in-mass-shootings/809700/222): > > Yes, without a doubt. Sitting in my quick-access safe I have four semi-auto pistols, two AR-15s, and two shotguns, all loaded. If I heard breaking glass in the kitchen or downstairs, I’d put a pistol in a holster on my waistband and take one of the AR-15s in my hands to face the threat. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/186 "2018-03-13T20:11:13Z")
> [@Mdcastle](#): > > An AR-15 is more than “just a tool for murdering people” It’s an excellent tool for home defense. I’d much rather have an AR-15 than a Magnum to defend my home considering how wildly inaccurate handguns are and how ungainly any handgun with decent stopping power is. There are three types of firearms you can use for home defense: 1. Handgun 2. Rifle 3. Shotgun A handgun would be the worst choice, obviously. They’re very inaccurate and underpowered. A rifle chambered in .223 would be very accurate and powerful, but it’s a bit _too_ powerful. The bullets could go through walls and hit an innocent person on the other side. And they may even hit your neighbor’s house. The best choice for home security is a shotgun. I own battle carbines (e.g. AR-15s) and battle rifles (e.g. FALs), but they wouldn’t be my first choice for home defense. But they _will_ come in handy for that rainy decade when we need to defend against an organized threat… ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/187 "2018-03-13T21:32:45Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > … HurricaneDikta sleeps in a holster. Without any actual desire to get into my sleeping arrangement, no, this is not correct. I have various holsters that I could easily put on in a few seconds. If I felt like the situation allowed me the time to do so, I would. If there were footfalls coming down the hall towards my room by the time I got the safe opened, I wouldn’t fumble around with a pistol holster and would instead just grab an AR-15 and confront the intruder(s) with that. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/188 "2018-03-14T00:38:00Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > Ex here. Not mandated, but suggested. A year supply used to be suggested. That’s also gone down to 3 months I believe. It was never specifically about an apocalypse. Early mormons were subject to a lot of hardships that would make something like this a reasonable idea. Thanks for the clarification. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/189 "2018-03-14T01:10:21Z")
> [@Mdcastle](#): > > An AR-15 is more than “just a tool for murdering people” It’s an excellent tool for home defense. [From what? A Bolivian death squad?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT_D4NC2tBE) Look, I get people’s desire to be able to defend their homes. But why is the United States the only industrialized First World nation that both a) has a mass shooting problem and b) has a significant population of people that truly feels they are in danger unless they have military-grade firepower? I never hear anyone from the UK, Germany, Australia, Japan or any other modern nation saying they don’t feel safe without their SA80, Gewehr G36, Steyr AUG, Type 89 or whatever gun their military happens to be issued. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/190 "2018-03-14T14:02:59Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > One which you could have prevented right at the beginning, if you had wanted to. So you are advocating open carry. Okay, fine. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/191 "2018-03-14T15:00:16Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > So you are advocating open carry. Okay, fine. IF you choose to carry. What’s the purpose of concealment? ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/192 "2018-03-14T15:05:50Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > IF you choose to carry. What’s the purpose of concealment? So the bad guys won’t know you have a gun and will start to do bad stuff. Then you can shoot them. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/193 "2018-03-14T15:05:55Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > A handgun would be the worst choice, obviously. They’re very inaccurate and underpowered. I disagree. A shotgun with a correct load would be the best choice, but pistols (good ones, not Saturday night specials or purse pistols) are generally well-suited for home defense. They are accurate at the ranges you will be shooting inside of a house, unless you are a terrible shot, or live inside some grand palace. They posses enough stopping power and contain enough rounds to eliminate 99% of the threat you’d encounter in a home invasion, again unless you are a terrible shot. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/194 "2018-03-14T15:21:24Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > So the bad guys won’t know you have a gun and will start to do bad stuff. Then you can shoot them. Our CC advocates have no doubt given the matter a great deal of thought. I’d really like to know how they reached that conclusion. I’ve literally never seen or heard it addressed, only avoided or assumed. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/195 "2018-03-14T15:39:56Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Our CC advocates have no doubt given the matter a great deal of thought. I’d really like to know how they reached that conclusion. I’ve literally never seen or heard it addressed, only avoided or assumed. What? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/196 "2018-03-14T15:58:21Z")
Huh, I’m sorry, I’m generally pro gun control and I neither keep nor bear in civilian life, but the claim that those who carry (concealed or not) do so in eager anticipation of one day having the excuse to shoot someone strikes me as presumptuous. I would demand anyone who’d carry to go through a rigorous, not just perfunctory, permitting and training process (including When Not To Engage), but then I’d understand if they carry concealed simply in order to not seem provocative and not cause anxiety in others. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/197 "2018-03-14T16:15:35Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > I’d understand if they carry concealed simply in order to not seem provocative and not cause anxiety in others. But they keep telling us how they and their guns provide safety and security in case “something” happens, so why should we feel anxious about it? Is it that they don’t carry Good Guy Badges so we can be sure? The story isn’t consistent if that’s really it. Again, I’d like to hear from actual CC advocates as to why they don’t carry openly, and hopefully there’s an answer out there better than > [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > What? ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/198 "2018-03-14T16:28:31Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Again, I’d like to hear from actual CC advocates as to why they don’t carry openly, and hopefully there’s an answer out there better than For one, it’s tacky. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/199 "2018-03-14T17:09:45Z")
Drying blood is tackier. What else? ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2018, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269/200 "2018-03-14T17:28:30Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Drying blood is tackier. > > What else? Does there _need_ to be more reasons? People who carry a concealed firearm do not necessarily revolve every thing they do around it, and don’t necessarily care to draw attention to themselves. Someone who wants to dress appropriately for the occasion, is going to make certain fashion choices. I would no sooner wear an openly displayed firearm than I would a combed-cotton tank top. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-i-keep-ar-15-platform-rifles/810269.md?page=11)