One main reason for the AR15 popularity is its light weight, as well as the light weight of its 223 bullets (~60 grain).
Compared with an AK47: .... AR-15 weighs 6.5 pounds in its stock condition, AK47 weighs 8.5 pounds.
... AR15 loaded 20 rds ~7 lbs; AK47 ~9.5 lbs. Other rifles with calibers over 30 caliber likely weigh more than an AK47 loaded.
Reason for larger loaded weight is that an AK47 bullet weighs 150 grains, the AR15 ~60 grains. More ammo can be carried at less weight, with the AR15, whether loaded or as ammunition backup.
What this lighter weight translates to is less recoil when the AR15 is fired, than an AK47 and larger caliber rifles.
AK-47 rifle recoil of 6.9 ft lbs... recoil for AR15 223 about 3ft lbs
Thus the AK47 has double the recoil energy of an AR15. Recoil causes 'rifle rise' where the rifle's muzzle end elevates when fired and needs be refocused on the target for better accuracy. With an AR15 the rifle can essentially be held in a fixed position by a shooter which enables him to fire more accurate rounds per minute than an AK47 or higher caliber rifles (some with much greater recoil).
Lightweight shooters generally prefer the AR15 since the light weight is easier on their arms and so much easier and faster to shoot accurately.
This recoil feature I did not see mentioned in the surgeons report.
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I support the current assault weapon ban, but let's face it friends, the horse are out of the barn. In 2004 when the clinton era assault weapon ban (awb) expired, the republican congress refused to renew it. In 2004 when the awb expired there were approx 400,000 assault rifles in America. Today, nearly 20 years later there are over 10 million assault rifles and some estimates at 15 million. The horse are out of the barn.
Enacting a new AWB will do little to curb mass shootings, altho perhaps have a marginal positive effect which would make it worth the while.
Although I support the death penalty ban in general, I think an expedited death penalty for school shooters and intentional mass shooters would do more to curb the awful 'new fad' the gun culture has created.
A fast track death penalty for killing kids in schools would mean a trial within 2 years - 3 years, eliminating legal maneuvers & delays, and stopping the death penalty being synonymous with 20 years free room and board where some portion are just as likely to die naturally in the prison.
A fast track death penalty for school shooters would not need a unanimous verdict but either 9 - 3 (preferably), then 10 - 2 or 11 -1. This would make some potential school shooters think twice if they were to get what they gave.
As it is, perverted shooters like nicholas cruz who recently was sentenced to life by a jury which voted 9 - 3 for the death penalty, they would get their just rewards for their unjust actions.
As it is and was, Cruz et al who get life rather than death penalty for mass murders, are REWARDED. REWARDED with free room and board for the rest of their lives. REWARDED with free medical and dental care for the rest of their lives. Free library privileges, free computers sometimes, they can even get a bachelors degree in some collegiate field. And this 'mental turmoil' which some say they will have to live with is mostly bunkum. The human mammal can self exonerate readily, create some inner sanctum where it was the devil made him do it then, it wasn't him it was something else inside him but now he's come back and is himself again and he's good now, gonna enjoy the rest of the life. Barf.
About the only thing the mass school shooter with a life sentence has to fear in prison, are his fellow inmates.
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