AR-15

The AR-15 is a semiautomatic Rifle and has been referred to by the National Rifle Association as “America’s most well-known rifle.”

The “AR” in AR-15 does not stand for “assault rifle” but is linked to the primary manufacturer of the firearm: Armalite Inc. The identify stands for ArmaLite Rifle.

The AR-15 was at first developed by ArmaLite to be a army rifle, designing it for rapid reloading in combat predicaments, but the organization strike economic problems. By 1959, ArmaLite marketed the layout of the AR-15 to Colt, which experienced success in pitching it to the US navy.

The rifle’s automatic version, the M-16, was utilized all through the Vietnam War. Colt bought the semiautomatic edition, the AR-15, to the general public and the police.

“If you happen to be a hunter, camper, or collector, you are going to want the AR-15 Sporter,” a 1963 ad for the firearm stated.

Colt’s patent on the rifle’s functioning system expired in 1977, opening the doorway for other brands to duplicate the technological know-how and make their possess models.

The AR-15 was prohibited from 1994 to 2004 via the assault-weapons ban. Gun makers instantly reintroduced the AR-15 following the ban expired, and product sales went way up. 

There are “very well over 11 million” AR-15 design rifles in the arms of Individuals, according to an investigation by CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” which also notes handguns destroy “far additional folks.”

But AR-15-design rifles have routinely been made use of in Mass Shootings, positioning the firearm at the centre of the debate around gun handle — specially in relation to no matter whether an assault-weapons ban must be reimposed.