Why own an AR-15? Four Texans tell why they own the most popular gun in America

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UPDATE at 2:13 p.m. Sept. 1, 2019: This story was originally published in
2016. We're redistributing it this week because the shooter who killed
seven and injured 22 in Odessa on Aug. 31 used an AR-15 style rifle.

Some say it's too powerful for civilian use. Others say it's the most
user-friendly rifle around. Politico dubbed it "the most political gun in
America." The NRA calls it "America's rifle."

The AR-15's ability to be customized makes it the favored rifle for all
kinds of shooters. You can replace parts, attach accessories and paint it
to make it your own. Gun advocates call it the Lego or Barbie of guns
because of that versatility.

How the AR-15 works

Everything that makes it the most popular rifle in the U.S. — easy to buy,
easy to shoot, easy to customize — also makes it an extremely efficient
killing machine, critics say.

A similar modified rifle was used in mass shootings at a Pittsburgh
synagogue and a Sutherland Springs, Texas, church. The AR-15 was the
weapon of choice for mass murderers who killed 12 moviegoers in Aurora,
Colo., 14 partygoers in San Bernardino, Calif., 27 children and teachers
in Newtown, Conn, and most recently, 17 high school students in Parkland,
Fla.

After every mass shooting, politicians and Facebook pundits alike ask the
same question: Why even own such a weapon?
In 2016, The Dallas Morning News interviewed many local AR-15 owners, but
few wanted to be named despite moderate, measured views. They feel the
voice of reasonable gun owners is being ignored, but they worried that
they would get backlash from employers or be depicted as radicals.

"I think as a community, we've been burned so many times," said Ben Allen,
a U.S. Army veteran from Denton who owns four AR-15s. "Everyone else gets
drowned out."

Here's what Allen and three other North Texans said about their AR-15s.

Ben Allen, Denton

"A lot of it is perception. People don't know the difference between this
and an M-4.... If we want meaningful change, we need to fix what we
already have. Finding the right way forward takes that respectful
discussion."

Daley Laurel, Blue Ridge

"I had shot AR-15s many times before, but shooting your own, cleaning your
own, knowing you have that kind of awesome power in your hand -- it's an
adrenaline rush for sure... It's like riding a roller coaster, but
different. You don't feel scared anymore."

Colion Noir, Dallas

"It looks dramatic. There's a lot of theatrics with an AR-15... If you
have an ignorant perspective of the AR-15, what you end up with is a
terrified public... The very reasons they want to condemn it are the same
reasons I want it."

Ro Carter, Frisco

"It's versatile, it's manageable, it's excellent for defense, it's
excellent for sport shooting...Why do you buy health insurance? Why do you
buy life insurance? It's all the same thing."

Read more from these Texan gun owners, and more about the AR-15, in this
story from July 2016.

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2019/09/01/why-own-an-ar-15-four-texans-
tell-why-they-own-the-most-popular-gun-in-america/