AR-15 is modern equivalent of musket rifle

A response to Len Golding (Daily Bee, Sept. 3, 2019)

I first have to question the preface of your letter; “Being a gun owner myself”… Based upon your subsequent statements questioning the usefulness of AR-15 and AK-style rifles, it is very clear that you know little to nothing about them.

You appear to be conflating fully-automatic firearms with the semi-automatic civilian versions of the same. They are very useful rifles. The AR-15 platform in particular is arguably the most popular rifle in America. It is widely used for hunting. The AR-15 is also used in many different competitive disciplines every weekend, all over this country, by tens of thousands of law-abiding Americans. I have personally used these types of firearms in multiple competitive disciplines for over 35 years in local, state, national and international events, as well as having utilized them as a law enforcement officer for over 20 years. And they provide personal security peace of mind to millions of owners across this nation.

The AR-15 is the modern-day equivalent of the Minute Man’s musket and this equivalency must not be infringed in order to protect our republic from aggressors, be they foreign or domestic.

More firearm restrictions will only impact those who obey the law in the first place. Criminals will be criminals. Confiscating firearms from law-abiding citizens will not stop a criminal lunatic in another location from hurting the innocent.

JD GAINES

Sandpoint