Jack Durish's answer to What purpose do automatic assault weapons serve for private citizens not...

Good response! Should have also noted that "automatic assault weapons" aka Automatic Firearms have been essentially illegal to own, at the very least extremely expensive and difficult to obtain, for going on a Century.

As always, another great post from Jack. Back in my late-teens, early-20s, when I "thought" I was a steely-eyed killer of King Neptune's deep... I belonged to the "take your time" camp when it came to shooting. Years of growing up in East Tennessee (and listening to the corresponding "Fudd Lore") had me convinced that a country boy armed with a bolt-action Remington was going to be able to put down four or five well-trained troops armed with a semi-automatic rifle any day of the week. A couple of decades (and thousands of rounds) later... I have a vastly different opinion. Most people are never going to face a scenario where they have to shoot to survive. Those that do, will with almost 90% certainty, be alone, armed with the most minimal weapon they own (if that), and very likely facing not one, but several assailants. Why is that? Because criminals don't play fair. You don't "invade" a "compound" out in the sticks with three pick-ups in the driveway. You don't "mug" three men standing six feet a piece, weighing 240 each, and wearing "Tap Out" shirts. When (if) something happens, it's going to be when you're the most vulnerable, and it's going to happen within about a ten foot (or less) radius of your body. There is simply no better defensive firearm (considering all factors, including concealment) for these scenarios than an semi-automatic handgun, of 9mm or better, with a fifteen round capacity. It goes without saying, at least one additional magazine, and a sharp, fixed-blade knife, are the companion pieces to that defensive suite. The adage, "Minute of Man" holds true... and the shot that saves your life may very well come from the draw, while you're on your back, or headed that way. To quote Wyatt Earp, "Take your time... in a hurry".

The "other" reality of defensive shooting involves the highly-unlikely, but far from impossible scenario for which the M-16/AR-15 family of rifles and carbines was invented. It's a weapon that offers excellent short to mid-range accuracy coupled with all of the benefits of an auto-loading firearm. It's modular, comparatively cheap and easy to manufacture, and offers a commonality of training and familiarity that should (in my opinion) make it the ideal, "citizen's" rifle. Generations of veterans and law enforcement personnel have used it. Fathers, sons, and even grandfathers all know the unique "feel" of this weapon. If you can shoot a 10/22, you can shoot an AR. If you can shoot a handgun very well... you can master it. If you can pit the Ace at 1,500 yards... you need a custom bolt action rifle in .50 BMG... and an AR as a backup. It's the ideal rifle/carbine for arming semi-organized, to organized small units defending fixed positions... and that's why (again, in my opinion) it's so hated by those who feel such scenarios are anathema to even be considered.

Thank you Sir