I suppose that many of you were as amazed as I when reading the front-page article on the AR-15 in Tuesday’s Tribune. Knowing the reasons that many AR-15 owners stated for owning this assault weapon gave me pause.
On the one hand, we have a weapon that has been used several times in mass shootings. And according to many experts its primary purpose is killing humans rapidly. Keeping legal the AR-15 and other assault weapons with large magazines seems absurd. But, on the other hand we now know the reasons Utahs support continued legalization. AR-15s are fun. They can be easily customized with scopes and lasers. Less time reloading. Can improve ones marksmanship. And of course NRA’s propaganda — your right to defend yourself and family even from foreign invasion.
So a massacre every few months (or weeks) is the price we pay for the pleasure some folks get out of this assault weapon.
But of course this problem will be minimized as soon as we improve mental health reporting and arm our teachers.
Also doesn’t it make you proud that in 2015, the Legislature designated the AR-15 as the commemorative legislative firearm. As always they are forward thinking and lead the way.
Ray McEvilly, Millcreek
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