Reply #82: Considering that the guns in question are the MOST POPULAR TARGET RIFLES in America...

[benEzra]

I'd say most people use them for "target shooting" and "organized target competition". AR-15's (.223 Remington caliber) DOMINATE centerfire rifle target competition in this country, due to their supreme accuracy and light recoil:



That rifle is also an excellent alternative to the traditional .729 caliber (12-gauge) home shotgun, and happens to be the most popular rifle in the United States at the moment. The #1 caliber of rifle ammunition sold annually for the civilian target shooting market is .223 Remington. And the SKS, another gun you're talking about banning, appears to be the single most popular centerfire rifle in U.S. homes nationwide. My wife owns one, a highly collectible 1952 Tula. And I shoot recreationally and competitively with a SAR-1, another rifle you're talking about banning.

You do realize that 4 out of 5 U.S. gun owners are nonhunters, yes?

FWIW, criminals almost never use rifles; they use handguns.

2005 data:
http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/data/table_20.html
Total murders............................14,860.....100.00%
Handguns..................................7,543......50.76%
Other weapons (non firearm, non edged)....1,954......13.15%
Edged weapons.............................1,914......12.88%
Firearms (type unknown)...................1,598......10.75%
Shotguns....................................517.......3.48%
Hands, fists, feet, etc.....................892.......6.00%
Rifles......................................442.......2.97%

2006 data:
http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2006/data/table_20.html
Total murders............................14,990.....100.00%
Handguns..................................7,795......52.00%
Other weapons (non firearm, non edged)....2,158......14.40%
Edged weapons.............................1,822......12.15%
Firearms (type unknown)...................1,465.......9.77%
Shotguns....................................481.......3.21%
Hands, fists, feet, etc.....................833.......5.56%
Rifles......................................436.......2.91%