Former US President Donald Trump was assassinated with a semi-automatic rifle, which once again illustrates how easy it is for gunmen in the United States to obtain cheap and easy-to-use weapons. The AR-15 rifle is one of the most popular firearms in the United States. It is also a weapon that appears frequently in some of the most serious mass shootings in the country. Here are some important facts about the weapon: why is the AR-15 so deadly? The AR-15 is a semi-automatic weapon, which means the user can quickly and continuously fire multiple rounds of ammunition. Similar to it, the M-16 has been used by the US military since the Vietnam War. Although some military assault rifles are fully automatic, in most cases, civilians cannot possess such weapons. The AR-15 can fire bullets at three times the speed of a handgun, accurately shoot at long distances, and cause extensive and highly destructive wounds to soft tissues and internal organs. Although handguns cause more deaths in the United States each year, the AR-15 is often used in high-profile mass shootings. In May 2022, a school gunman used an AR-15 to shoot and kill 19 children and 2 teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. In October 2017, this weapon was also used in a shooting incident in Las Vegas, where a gunman slaughtered 60 people at a music festival. Buying AR-15 is easy and affordable. Depending on the state of residence, buyers can freely enter a gun store, present valid identification, and purchase a rifle or shotgun, provided that the buyer passes a federal background check. This process will check the buyer's criminal record or whether they have been sent to a mental hospital. But even this rough inspection may be overlooked in the case of private sales. The National Rifle Association claims that rifles can be used for recreational shooting practice and home defense, but critics say their lethality means they are not suitable for civilian use. Part of the reason why the AR-15 is popular in the United States is its wide customizability, allowing owners to add sights, high-capacity magazines, and a plethora of other accessories. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives does not know how many firearms there are in the United States - federal law prohibits them from maintaining a gun registration database. A 2023 poll by The Washington Post estimated that one in every 20 American adults owns at least one AR-15. Banned in multiple states in 1994, President Clinton banned assault rifles during his tenure, but under pressure from the powerful National Rifle Association, the restriction was lifted in 2004. Since then, efforts by the federal government to reform gun laws have been hindered, with critics arguing that these reforms violate the constitutional right to own firearms under the Second Amendment of the Constitution. However, several states including California, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington D.C. have banned citizens from owning assault rifles. (New Society)
Edit：Xiong Dafei Responsible editor：Li Xiang
Source：XinHuaNet
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