By Dan Murphy
How many AR-15 style rifles and assault weapons are owned in the United States? Nobody really knows, or has accurately kept track of sales, but published estimates have the toal around 10 million, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The AR-15 was used by the shooter in Uvalde, Texas that left 19 children and two adult teachers dead.
The gunman bought the AR15 days after he turned 18. The gun was legally purchased from Daniel Defense for around $1,800.
Ten years ago, there was an estimated 3 million AR-15 style rifles in the US, but with about 1 million purchaes every year, 10 million is a good estimate in 2022.
So while the ban of any new sales of assault weapons could happen, (but won’t) because republicans are about to take control of one or both houses of Congress. The tougher question is what to do with the 10 million AR-15’s in the hands of Americans. How do you deal with those weapons? There are an estimated 300 million guns in our country. How about banning any future sales of AR 15’s?
One of the most patriotic songs in the USA is ‘God Bless the USA,’ by Lee Greenwood. Greenwood was about to play at the NRA’s convention, but cancelled out of common sense. “For me to go and play at the NRA just days after the shooting would be an endorsement, and people would then deem that as [me saying] ‘I like this weapon.’ Obviously, that weapon killed kids. I just couldn’t go.”
On May 26, Greenwood issued a statement on the shooting, which read, “As a father, I join the rest of America in being absolutely heartbroken by the horrific event that transpired this week in Texas. I was scheduled to perform at NRA’s private event on Saturday with my band. After thoughtful consideration, we have decided to cancel the appearance out of respect for those mourning the loss of those innocent children and teachers in Uvalde.
Other performers that pulled out of the NRA show were “American Pie” singer Don McLean, who said that it would be, “disrespectful and hurtful for me to perform for the NRA”
Country singers Larry Stewart and Larry Gatlin also backed out, and Gatlin challenged the NRA on their opposition to background checks. “I’m a Second Amendment guy, but the Second Amendment should not apply to everyone. It’s that simple.”
