Parkland Shooting

[Chief X_Phackter]

Originally Posted by MTK

I wasn't trying to be snarky I was just defending my position.

I know AR does not mean assault rifle.

Let me just ask this, why is it such a popular gun with mass shooters? I'm guessing it has to do with the function of it, being able to mow down many people quickly.

Well, unless they are illegally modified, the legal AR-15 style rifle can't shoot any faster than your run of the mill Winchester semi-automatic hunting rifle - basically as fast as your finger can pull the trigger - one round per pull. However, the magazine capacity is generally higher, so a shooter can shoot more rounds without reloading than with other rifles that don't have the same capacity. Some states have put restrictions on what they have deemed "large capacity" magazines. Others have not.

All that being said, and to answer your question, the AR-15 style rifle could be popular with mass shooters because of it's capacity potential, compared to other options. But that's just my speculation.