Mass shootings and the AR-15 rifle

Just how many more mass shootings must we endure as a nation in this senseless loss of life? Just to name a few locations of this terrible loss of life: Tops Grocery Store in Buffalo, New York; and Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. The latest mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, Oct. 25 took place at the “Just in Time Recreation,” a bowling alley, and “Schemengees Bar and Grill.”

The weapon in question is the AR-15 rifle. This rifle is being called and “assault-type weapon” by many in Congress and in the news media. All manufacturers of the AR-15 rifle do not consider their rifle as an assault-type weapon.

It has been reported that many hunters prefer the AR-15 style rifle because of their versatility, accuracy and wide variety of available features, such as different types of caliber ammunition. These rifles can be purchased for as little as a few hundred dollars and, depending on state laws, will determine how fast the owner will be able to take ownership.

The AR-15 rifle is a semi-automatic rifle and is being described by the term as it can “inflict maximum wound effect.” This rifle is considered by many as a military-type weapon and should be banned for sale to the general public. The consideration to ban this weapon has been discussed by many in Congress. Many gun owners are opposed to this ban because it infringes on the Second Amendment.

The Second Amendment: A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

For this year so far, it has been reported that there have been 575 mass shootings, 600 people dead and 2,400 injured. Based on this information alone, will Congress bring any kind of legislation to limit the sale of the AR-15 rifle? I believe it will be discussed but no legislation will take place.

The Second Amendment by our Founding Fathers believed it was a necessary right for citizens to bear arms. This, perhaps from their point of view, was that you have the right to protect yourself, your family and property from any kind of threat.

Just from another point of view, the country of New Zealand banned semi-automatic firearms in 1996 by an agreement restricting ownership of semi-automatic rifles. In 2020, Nova Scotia, Canada, banned a class of rifles, including the AR-15 rifle.

People with some mental health problems who own firearms have been talked about as perhaps the main reason for these mass shootings. I, and perhaps many others, believe it is a combination of both mental health and the availability of semi-automatic rifles like the AR-15.

So what can we citizens, gun owners and non gun owners, do to help alleviate this senseless loss of life? Can any kind of legislation on the restriction or ban on the AR-15 rifle be passed by Congress? Even if passed by Congress, will it be able to pass by our present Supreme Court? If a majority of U.S. citizens believe that we need to ban or limit the sale of the AR-15 rifle, will our elected representatives follow through or not?

Thomas E. Carter

Rio Rancho