LogFAQs > #888596524

There is nothing special about the AR-15 other than it being the base platform for the more advanced military spec rifles that fire in burst and fully-automatic.

When there was violent rioting, two gentlemen protected an old shop keeper while arming themselves with AR-15s. One guy had 13 people break into his house and rape/murder his family. A handgun and "ordinary rifle" (whatever that means. The AR-15 is an "ordinary rifle" or carbine) would not have been sufficient. Even an AR-15 with a factory GI magazine would likely have been inefficient because when your life is in danger you will miss many of your shots. You are shaking and scared and filled with adrenaline. Trained cops and soldiers miss over half of their shots taken.

Anyways, I apologize to TC/OP for turning this into a gun debate. I'm going to go clean one of my many firearms, and there's nothing anyone can do about it. :)