Modern Sporting Rifles

“Modern Sporting Rifles” are not assault rifles

You know what they say about opinions, everyone’s got one. Well, negative opinions of modern sporting rifles―guns based on the AR-15 model― are often formed on misinformation, or worse, visual perception alone. Last week, I was formally introduced to modern sporting rifles. I handled and shot a few different models. This is what I learned.

The name AR-15 stands for Armalite model 15. The abbreviation “AR” has nothing to do with the term “Assault Rifle.” True assault rifles, like the M16 and M4 carbine assualt rifles, which are currently in use by the United States military, are fully automatic-capable firearms. Ownership of such fully automatic firearms has been severely restricted since 1934. Modern sporting rifles―AR based―are semi-automatic firearms. Meaning, they shoot one shot per trigger pull. The action of modern sporting rifles is similar to other semi-automatic firearms, including semi-automatic shotguns commonly used for duck hunting, or semi-automatic .22 rifles often used for introducing kids to guns. Modern sporting rifles simply look different.

“For well over a century, many of our most popular sporting rifles have directly evolved from a service rifle of a particular era. Battlefield requirements in a rifle such as accuracy, ruggedness, reliability and fast follow-up shots are features equally sought by hunters and target shooters,” said Doug Painter , National Shooting Sports Foundation senior advisor.

The trend of transitioning military style rifles into the modern shooting world has been going on for centuries. As military technology has advanced weaponry, civilian sporting firearms have become more dependable, more accurate, more ergonomically correct, and therefore, more enticing to hunters interested in quality equipment that helps them make ethical kills.

“Unfortunately, some anti-gun organizations have worked hard to mislead the public by calling the civilian rifles that look like military rifles, “assault weapons.” This anti-gun strategy is a clever ploy, much in the same way that prohibitionists labeled alcoholic beverages, “demon rum,” Painter said.

The truth is, our nation has a sad history of judgment based on outward appearance. Racism is rooted in looks―skin color. Now, modern sporting rifles are being judged by their skin color. How can we, as a people, continue to make the same mistakes over and over? How can we make an outcast of a piece of equipment for no reason other than not liking how it looks?

The argument is often made that modern sporting rifles project upon hunters a perception of “aggressive warrior.” As if hunters are pretending to be at war with their prey. Once again, obvious bigotry based on looks. When viewed with common-sense, modern sporting rifles are nothing more than exceptionally reliable, rugged, and accurate sporting rifles that offer a new look.

When I graduated from high school, my grandfather’s gift to me was an invitation to select one gun, any gun, from his collection. I chose a Remington model 742 Woodsmaster, a semi-automatic .30-06. Production of these guns began in 1960, after Remington superseded the previous model 740, which was introduced in 1955. I can shoot five shots from this hunting rifle as fast as I can pull the trigger. It operates the same exact way the modern AR-based sporting rifles operate, and it’s been around since the 1960’s. It’s acceptable though, because we’re used to how it looks. Yet, functionally it’s not much different from the AR-15.

The saddest issue facing the upward trend of modern sporting rifle usage is the number of misinformed hunters who outwardly put these weapons down. Listen, if you read my column, you know I’m into the traditional side of sporting life. Fly-fishing and traditional archery are a couple of my most sincere passions. So you might have thought I’d be against these guns, but I’m not, because there is no reason to be. I don’t own one, and I don’t have any plans to go buy one, but I was taught long ago not to base my judgments on outward appearance. To judge modern sporting rifles solely on their appearance is prejudice, plain and simple. I hope you’re above that.