Why?

1. I binge watched all episodes of the Walking Dead. This shit is scary.

2. What if you're out hunting, and a herd of deer, splits up, and surrounds you?

I tried to make the case, on SW, more than once, that assault weapons, equipped with large capacity ammo clips, are not justifiable, in the public hands. There may be that one case in a million, where it works out to your advantage, but in the absolute majority of cases, these weapons will end up hurting/killing innocent bystanders.

Some argue that they have military experience. So, MAYBE they have fired a weapon in action, not in practice. It does not qualify them. If you're deployed, into a hot zone, the boundaries are well defined. You know who the enemy is, and what your mission is. In a situation involving civilians, you are not qualified, and you may cause more damage.

If you're awakened by intruders, from a deep sleep, whip out your AR-15, and start shooting, you will likely end up killing your teenager, who snuck back into the house, at 3AM, AND the neighbors dog, and the 5 year old, sleeping in the house, several blocks from you.

If you still think you need a weapon for self-defense, then a shotgun is a better bet, but only if you're well trained.

So, let's drop the "hunting" and "self defense" pretense. It's about something else.

Conspiracy theory, protection ourselves from a tyrannical government people: newsflash. Back in the day, the government had muskets, and you had muskets. Today, the government has F-16s, Tanks, missiles, and all kinds of things that can evaporate you. You need to calm down, and pick up another hobby.

Foreign invasion: read the above paragraph.

Penile extension: grow up, and get a sports car instead. A bunch of SW'ers continuously brag about how many guns they have.

PS: I read through the thread, and I see you picked up a case of mrbrownstone. The guy invades my threads as well, and either attempts to switch topics, like he did here, or simply posts sophomoric insults. I usually delete them, following a warning.

Thank you for your service.

I'm going to throw in my 2 cents even though I am not an American.
I live in South Africa and I was a policeman for 21 yrs. Civilians in S.A. are not allowed to own weapons like assault rifles because it is not necessary. Also, in most countries more innocent people are hurt by firearms that are kept for self defense than criminals.

The USA has possibly the biggest and best equiped military and police in the world. The civilians there do not need assault rifles etc. in order to defend themselves.
It's clearly a money making thing and placing the value of money above that of innocent Human life is just not right.

Great question, I’d be really interested to see if you get an honest answer that can contribute to a conversation as opposed to the name calling and deflecting that is so common in these instances. Your dignified, intelligent response to those comments were refreshing.

Just wanted to tell you that I love this question and your refusal to be drawn off topic by those who deflect because they don’t have an answer.

That is the exact same thing I have been wondering. You pose a excellently worded question. I don't think SW folks are the kind to answer it.

I don't know who can defend or justify those types of weapons but someone must be doing it. All guns are not created equal.

They are only needed in war and in the event of an apocalypse.

Funny. Every time an illegal immigrant commits a crime,no democrats scream about immigration laws.

why? because i have a micropenis

There is only one real answer and if you haven't seen Jim Jefferies in action it's worth a look:
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rR9IaXH1M0&t=248s]

In case the British come.

I owned one semiauto, but I gave it to my cousin to own. I only got it because of my dad. Just before my dad past, he wanted me to have something of his, and it was his semiauto. I'm not into guns, that's why I gave it away.