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Biden says it’s ‘time to outlaw’ AR-15 after Trump assassination attempt
(www.independent.co.uk)
this post was submitted on 17 Jul 2024
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politics
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...Does Pres. Biden really think that the assassination attempt would have gone less well if Crooks had been using a Ruger American bolt action rifle chambered in 6.5CM? Does he really think that?
Let's be super-clear here, and AR-15 uses an intermediate cartridge. Most bolt action hunting rifles are going to use full-power cartridges, cartridges that have a longer range, may have a flatter trajectory, have less wind drift, and have a helluva lot more power when they hit their target. A center mass hit with an AR-15 at 150y is going to be bad; a center mass hit with a .308 or 6.5CM at 150y is going to be the end of someone's world. Bear in mind that many hunters do not consider a .225/5.56x45mm bullet to be ethical for deer hunting because it's lower power, while there's very broad agreement that 6.5CM and .308 are just dandy.
Also, calling for banning guns in an election year where you're already behind? When gun bans tend to galvanize Republicans and get them out to the polls? Incredibly dumb. Unbelievably dumb.
He wouldn't have been able to get 8 shots off. Of course he missed but still.
Edit: I have not been able to confirm the number of shots taken. I will update this with a source if I find something.
I think he only got like 2 shots off. The others you heard were secret service returning fire.
Is this a real thing or speculation? Genuinely wondering.
I mean the shooter was shot down so at least one of those shots had to be SS. But accounts on the scene said they heard a few quiet pops followed by louder ones from the counter sniper that was closer to them. Shouldn't be hard to find a source if you look it up, I'm not able to at the moment.
I have been trying to find this info and have not been able to yet. Short of counting the shots from a video I am not sure we will 100% know until the investigation is done. I will edit my previous comment to reflect uncertainty.
Edit: This article claims the counter sniper who killed him only fired one shot. Although perhaps more SS officers fired?
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/timeline-trump-rally-shooting/
This is the best I can find
So it could be that all 6 of the initial shots were from the shooter. I think its safe to say at least the first 4 were probably all him (and I do remember the number 4 from the accounts I heard), but the ones following are more ambiguous. Doesn't look like they've released many specifics yet though.
If he'd been using a hunting rifle with a basic 1-8 first focal plan optic that was zeroed at 100y, and had been using ammunition intended for hunting, one single shot to the center mass, and Trump's aspirations for continuing to be alive would have ended.
I don't really get this argument. If somone with enough knowledge about sights, ammo, and long range shooting experience to hit a target with a hunting rifle could also hit it with an AR15. The range in this instance was not excessive and well within the capabilities of both rifles. The difference is an AR15 can put a whole lot more shots down range, much faster. Obviously, I am aware that rapid semi auto fire or semi auto rifles in general are less accurate.
Being able to shoot more rounds can make up for lack of skill. An amateur with an AR15 is much more likely to hit their target or inflict more damage than an amateur with a hunting rifle. Here a skilled shooter could have done it with either.
You can get semi auto hunting rifles with a capacity of 6-10 rounds. I'm as anti gun-violence as anyone, and generally agree that more gun control is not a bad idea, but outright banning AR-15s is not the answer.
There are too many already out there to make a dent, and anyone can 3D print a lower receiver that will will hold up for at least 20 rounds.
80% lowers are a thing and you can "finish" them with basic hand tools and a drill, then you have an unregistered firearm.
There are many other ways to acquire one illegally or semi-legally, but they are currently pretty "obscure" since it's so easy and cheap to buy a lower and assemble your own. Banning legal sales will only bolster the alternative methods.