Why would anyone want a semi-automatic rifle?

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 16:35:56 -0400

My ex-wife posted this question on Facebook the other day. How would I know? Well, when you have children, you're never really divorced. You may marry someone else, but you'll always share those children and have to get along like two rattlesnakes trapped in the same burlap bag. I remember an ad Remington published many decades ago showing a hunter in the wilderness being attacked by a pack of wolves and defending himself with a semi-automatic rifle. It seemed the perfect answer to this question that keeps popping up from the anti-gun crowd. I searched for that ad on the Internet but was disappointed. So, I tried to recreate the "feeling" of it. I wonder how many will understand that the wolves are simply a metaphor for terrorists, criminals, and overzealous bureaucrats. Or will they simply respond, "What wolves?"

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jun 22 at 2016 4:41 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 16:41:14 -0400

Actually, I don't know. But many legal owners do. And if they spent $700 or so for the firearm, I'm good.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2016 4:42 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 16:42:05 -0400

The mechanism in a semi-automatic reduces recoil and they can be a lot of fun to shoot.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jun 22 at 2016 4:50 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 16:50:05 -0400

Some folks like the rate of fire.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jun 22 at 2016 5:07 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 17:07:56 -0400

Do I absolutely need one? No. Do I want one, yes. Why? Because they're fun. Can I own one? Constitutionally yes.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2016 5:22 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 17:22:27 -0400

i prefer bolt and pump more accurate less ammo, one shot one kill

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2016 5:22 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 17:22:35 -0400

Why would anyone want a bolt action, magazine-fed rifle or a five-shot, pump shotgun or a nine-shot revolver?

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 22 at 2016 5:31 PM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 17:31:12 -0400

Because there are a lot of wolves! ;)

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Jun 22 at 2016 11:13 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Wed, 22 Jun 2016 23:13:17 -0400

Since there is no part of the Constitution called the "Bill of Needs" and I like them I don't need any other reason.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Jun 23 at 2016 3:18 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 03:18:32 -0400

Automatic weapons are illegal except for the few people that have spent the time and money to acquire the proper licensing for them. Despite this, criminals still have access to fully automatic weapons through black market/underground dealings. This puts criminals already one step ahead of the grand majority of law abiding citizens and sadly even the police in many cases. Further restricting our firearm rights by banning or otherwise restricting the purchase and ownership of semi-automatic firearms will only give the criminals two steps ahead of the law abiding public. I would rather they not be given further advantages. Will I ever need to use my semi-auto pistol on someone, I hope not because I don't ever want to have to take someone's life. But the reality is that someday someone may come up that poses a threat to me or others and I'll be damned if I'd want that day to come without having my pistol accessible to defend myself and the others.

Response by SGT David T. made Jun 23 at 2016 8:10 AM

SGT David T. — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 08:10:01 -0400

The 2nd amendment. No further justification required.

Response by Col Jim Harmon made Jun 23 at 2016 9:14 AM

Col Jim Harmon — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 09:14:18 -0400

They may be your 'ex' but if you have kids they will be in your life forever.

I still remember the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach when my ex reminded me of this reality. The happiest day of my life was the day she walked out the door. The saddest day of my life was when I realized that the ‘crazy train’ would continue making unscheduled stops at the door for the rest of my life.

As to the issue of guns, I am a constitutional purist. My guns are not for hunting, target shooting, or pleasure shooting. They are for the protection of my family against threats local, national, and international. To that end, I choose weapons that are easy to operate, easy to maintain, and easy to reload.

Too many people these days forget that the Second Amendment was not put into place to protect the rights of hunters, but as a safeguard against government over reach. To quote a better man than myself:

"What country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance. Let them take arms."
- Thomas Jefferson, letter to James Madison, December 20, 1787

Response by SPC James Harsh made Jun 23 at 2016 10:58 AM

SPC James Harsh — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 10:58:10 -0400

ahem..