The National Rifle Association (NRA) holds its annual meeting this weekend, coinciding with back-to-back mass shootings in Nashville and Louisville that claimed 11 lives. This juxtaposition highlights the AR-15’s controversial position as a favored weapon among gun enthusiasts, with over 20 million legally owned in the U.S., marking it as a focal point in the ongoing national debate over gun rights versus public safety.
Experts note that the rise of the AR-15 reflects significant shifts in American gun culture, particularly following the expiration of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban in 2004. As this firearm gains notoriety as a mass shooter’s weapon of choice, with its involvement in at least 100 shootings over the past decade, lawmakers grapple with how to confront the growing demand for tighter regulations amidst widespread protests for change.
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