Why the AR 15 Is a Favorite Tool of Politicians

Most American gun owners
know the AR-15 is one of the most popular rifles. Because of
that inevitably becomes the conversation whenever people talk
about self-defense, gun control laws, and more.

These guns are so popular
that people have sued cities and towns that ban them, claiming such bans violate their Second
Amendment rights. As part of the U.S. Constitution, the Second Amendment is
something politicians swear to uphold when they take office.

But why the AR 15? There
are so many guns out there that one must wonder what the big deal is.
The truth has several ideas behind it, explaining why politicians like using it
in the gun control debate.

American Culture

Guns are a hallmark of
American culture, going back to its founding. Enshrined in the Bill of Rights,
the Founding Fathers intended Americans to be able to hunt their food
and protect their homes, thus putting a protective layer around America’s core
values: Self-reliance, strength, and above all, freedom.

Despite the sheer number
of guns on the market, the AR-15 is one of the most significant embodiments of America’s
culture and values. Many people see it not as a deadly weapon but as a tool that can bring home meat and defend against intruders and attackers.

It’s tough for Americans
to feel they can live their own culture without the ability to
protect it in any way possible. At America’s founding, that meant muskets.
It means choosing the best gun for a person’s needs and desires.

Why Is the AR 15 so Popular in
America?

Ask various AR 15 owners
why they love these rifles, and they’ll give many answers. Aside from viewing it as a tool that works in many situations, it’s
versatile, easy to use, and serves as an American symbol.

People can build an AR
15 from scratch, although buying one and customizing one is more accessible.
Since it’s so easy to take apart, it’s also easy to clean, replace, or swap
pieces out. For instance, those who want to use this gun for precision shooting
can change its trigger, barrel, and scope.

Those who like to use it
for hunting can easily change out its barrel, handguard, and upper and lower
receivers to match their preferred quarry. That makes hunting anything
considerably easier.

People also feel safer
with the AR-15 than they might with other rifles because the military and law
enforcement agencies use equivalent rifles. It shows that it’s a good gun for
defense.

What About the AR 15’s
Reputation?

A lot of mass shooters
do indeed use AR-15s.
The list of reasons behind mass shootings is long and convoluted, though, and
yes, the rifle’s popularity probably plays a role. That’s one reason why some
lawmakers want to ban AR 15s entirely.

However, AR-15s don’t
make mass shooters, and gun violence, in general, is a matter of public and societal health rather than merely a problem with guns. Politicians use fear when they call it an assault weapon and assault rifle and point to mass shootings as a reason to ban AR-15s. There is no single, easy
solution here.

Why Politicians Like the AR 15

So why do politicians
like the AR-15? It’s not just about self-defense, although when discussing gun
legislation, that’s one of the primary topics. Many politicians also see a
slippery slope into a far stricter interpretation of the Second Amendment that
would deprive Americans of many kinds of guns, including the AR-15.

Gun legislation is, in
and of itself, a very hot-button issue. Politicians on all sides use the AR-15 as an example of the reasons for and against stricter gun laws. Many
politicians point to its popularity, versatility, ease of use, and American
symbolism when arguing against a ban.

The Will of the People

The United States is a
federal constitutional republic, and the government is supposed to represent
the people’s will. Unfortunately, sometimes, politicians must make unpopular choices because they must also do what’s in the people’s best
interests.

That’s not true in the
case of the AR 15, though. They see little reason to buck their constituents
because there’s no single, definitive reason to do so, and they see reasons not
to. For instance, there’s some evidence that includes banning the AR-15 would disproportionately
harm poor and working-class people, creating a new angle on what it means to be
able to defend oneself.

Politicians who see that
believe they’ll harm their constituents if they support any such proposal.

The Coronavirus Pandemic and the
AR 15

When states began
issuing lockdown orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, some asked why
anyone would need an AR 15. Politicians do exaggerate much of the violence that
has happened during the pandemic, but those exaggerations don’t make the violence that is happening any less real.

The U.S. and the entire world entered a new time with the appearance of SARS-cov-2, the
virus that causes COVID-19. This pandemic isn’t unprecedented, but the world hasn’t seen it in 100 years. People are still determining. They’re scared.
Tensions are high. Politicians see a ripe breeding ground for violence here.

That goes back to
self-defense. The “looting hordes” that some have spoken of may not
exist, but that doesn’t mean everything’s fine. Again, people want to feel safe
and secure, and having survival food and an AR 15 helps provide that feeling.

Final Thoughts

Very little is more
American than the AR-15, so politicians like to use it as a tool in the gun
control debate. Who wants to appear un-American, and who wants to go against
their constituents without an excellent reason?

AR-15s are among the
most popular guns in America for many reasons, not just because they’re a
symbol of America’s values. Politicians who like using it in their arguments
know they’ll get attention, whether the feedback is good or bad. Politicians want to use language in their speeches that engage emotions to connect deeper with their audiences.