"He would have been horrified and sickened as anyone, if not more by these events"[their words were in Time, August 16, 2016]
In the wake of the Orlando shooting that left 49 victims dead, the family of the inventor of the AR-15 rifle says that the gun was not intended for civilian use but for military purposes.
"Our father, Eugene Stoner, designed the AR-15 and subsequent M-16 as a military weapon to give our soldiers an advantage over the AK-47," the Stoner family told NBC News. "He died long before any mass shootings occurred. But, we do think he would have been horrified and sickened as anyone, if not more by these events."
The AR-15 has become the centerpiece of a national debate over assault weapons and gun control, after attackers have used them and similar guns in mass shootings. Proponents of stricter gun controlsay that assault weapons like the AR-15 should be banned, arguing they are not intended for civilian use. Gun rights activists say that banning the gun would infringe on Americans' Second Amendment rights. The National Rifle Association has taken to calling the AR-15 "America's rifle."
The killer in Orlando used a Sig Sauer MCX, a semiautomatic assault-style rifle that is similar in appearance and capabilities to the better-known AR-15.
Eugene Stoner, an ex-marine and the rifle's inventor, never used his AR-15 for sport, kept it for personal defense, or even owned one. His family said he made millions by using his design, but only for military sales.
"After many conversations with him, we feel his intent was that he designed it as a military rifle," Stoner's family explained, saying that their father wanted to make the "most efficient and superior rifle possible for the military.“
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In the wake of the 2018 Valentine's Day Massacre, when 17 Children and adults were killed at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas high school in Parkland, FL, by a gun man with an AR-15, the legislature state refused to ban the AR-15 or even discuss a ban.
Yes, thanks to the brave and determined efforts of the Parkland survivors, a bi-partisan group of legislators stood up to the NRA and yesterday, when the Governor signed the bill, changed some gun laws in Florida.
They raised the minimum age to purchase a firearm to 21 from 18, rid of Bump stocks (which convert conventional weapons into automatic weapons) but funded ($57 million) efforts supported by the NRA to arm some teachers and personnel in Florida's schools.
As the Parkland kids have noted, gun safety is not just about schools. Massacres have already happened in malls, in clubs, and in streets. We don't want more guns and more gun fights in our schools.
The NRA, of course, reacted negatively to the Florida bill. The organization immediately sued Florida to once again lower the minimum age for gun purchase to 18,and yes, they continue to stop the Florida legislature from taking up a law to ban the AR-15 and other military weapons.
What can we do? Stand with the Parkland kids. Call your legislators.
Ban military weapons for sale to civilians
Get ready to go to the streets
#March24 #MarchForOurLives
March 10, 2018
