[abstractbarista]

"they are convinced the DEM are going to confiscate/ban/etc"

This is a very legitimate and real fear for many. Remember Beto? "Hell yes we're going to take your AR-15's!"

That was met with overwhelming cheer and praise at the debate. Clearly many Democrats are not that vigorous, but you get the point...

[hcknwscommenter]

It may be a "real" fear. It is not in any way a legitimate fear. That would violate so many constitutional norms (the Constitution itself as well as 1st and 2nd and 4th amendments) as to be a non-starter.

Regarding the AR-15 itself. Yes, I am aware that many DEMS want stricter regulation of "assault weapons" that are really only good as offensive weaponry. The AR-15 is a terrible hunting rifle and hardly any better for defensive purposes. Why does the right love it so much? I suspect because they are the victim of propaganda. However, I'm all ears if you have another theory?

[BubRoss]

Because it's light and fun. AR-15s are cheap and customizable too. Having lots of different guns at a certain point has zero to do with need, if it ever did. Many people just like to shoot guns, but far fewer say that.

[hcknwscommenter]

I agree. Heck, it is fun to shoot stuff. I just don't understand why and how this turned into such a powerful political movement. My fun turns out to contribute to mass killing of children. Maybe my fun doesn't justify such lock-step ironclad opposition to additional gun control measures. If an "assault rifle" ban saved one life, and I can keep my .22 semi-auto pistol and my M1, what is the big deal? The NRA makes it seem like DEM gun control measures are an attempt to subvert a whole way of life, which is total nonsense.

[leereeves]

Maybe we should focus more attention on why some children are being hurt so badly that they lash out violently, and less on what weapon they use when they do.

[hcknwscommenter]

This is a false dichotomy. Why not both?

[Fjolsvith]

> It may be a "real" fear. It is not in any way a legitimate fear.

And yet there's no mention of what's happening in Virginia regarding gun rights.

Edit: As my ability to reply is disabled, I will not.

[hcknwscommenter]

I am really struggling to see your point here. Here is a decent link about what is happening in Virginia regarding gun rights: https://wtop.com/virginia/2020/01/faqs-what-is-happening-wit... . If all those measures pass, guns will still be extremely available for purchase or trade by the citizenry.