Why Americans Are Hellbent On Buying AR-15 Guns



Known as a symbol of freedom to its admirers and an assault weapon to its detractors, the AR-15 is one of the most controversial weapons in America.

Lightweight and easily customizable AR-15-style weapons have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years taking center stage at gun ranges and shooting competitions across the country.
According to the most recent national figures, there are an estimated 393 million civilian-owned firearms in the U.S. And there are about 20 million AR-15-style weapons in the country. Firearm manufacturers have seen revenue surge taking in about $1 billion from the sale of AR-15-style weapons in the past decade.

But the weapons have also been involved in a number of mass shootings. AR-15-style weapons were used at shootings in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, a Fourth of July parade in suburban Chicago and a grocery store in upstate New York. Critics argue the weapons are also aggressively marketed by gun companies targeting at-risk young males.

So what is behind the popularity of the AR-15 and what responsibility do gun makers have when their products are used in mass shootings? Watch the video to learn more.

Chapters:
Intro: 0:00-2:17
Chapter 1 America’s rifle: 2:18-5:30
Chapter 2 Gun ownership in America: 5:31-7:35
Chapter 3 Gun-makers: 7:36-9:51
Chapter 4 Gun ads: 9:52-11:55
Chapter 5 Mass shootings: 11:56-16:29

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Why Americans Are Hellbent On Buying AR-15 Guns

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49 thoughts on “Why Americans Are Hellbent On Buying AR-15 Guns”

  1. They said it themselves. The Ar-15 was in civilian hands in the 60s, yet mass shootings only spiked in the 2000s. It's a culture problem, not a gun problem. Broken families and bad childhoods. Where are the parents?

    Reply
  2. I'm an American and not only am I not "hellbent on buying AR-15 guns," I don't know anyone who owns one. Because of irresponsible, shameless click-bait like this video, I'm telling Google to block this channel from my recommendations, and I encourage everyone else to do the same.

    Reply
  3. Correction: there are approximately 20 million ar15 style rifles. AR15 style pistols and "pistol grip firearm others" are not apart of the 20 million AR15 style rifle number that the NSSF puts out. And the number also doesn't include "privately made firearms".

    Reply
  4. Seeing this inspired me to buy another one. The reason gun grabbing politicians want your gun, is most likely they are planning to do something where you might just use it. Mass shootings could be prevented with training those responsible for security easy enough, but government needs a boogeyman.

    Reply
  5. What’s missing from you report is millions upon millions of these guns in private hands that pose no threat to society. That brings context that is sorely needed in determining which way to go to solve this problem of troubled individuals who can fathom the y fathomable use of the firearms.

    Reply
  6. Can't stick with honest facts gotta throw a little word play in there. 78% were committed with handguns 28% were with semi automatic guns. What they don't tell you is 90% of guns are semi automatic guns. And then they show you a big picture of an AR right underneath those numbers. If this gun is used in less than 1% of these mass shootings and the other 80 to 90 plus percent are being committed with handguns why are they going after the AR. Don't forget the number one reason we have our Second Amendment it's not for hunting it's not solely for defending yourself and your family it's to keep our government in check. take it how you want it

    Reply
  7. I personally prefer #357 revolvers because they don't jam…. With that said, Yes…. I agree all Republicans should support the 2nd Amendment & obtain a CWP to LAGALLY carry everywhere they go, including at work & church (I have carried for 30+ years and no one ever knew it)… Yes, I carry EVERYWHERE I go despite any "G-FREE ZONES"…. I also support teachers & all school officials carrying, along with having police and/or armed guards on the property, because the guards are just not enough which is why I support this statement… Yes, we Republicans need to defend ourselves & other Republicans against the bad people in our country (the Dems & Libs), so LOAD UP NOW!!! and ONLY use cash, especially when buying @ vv vv o, so it can't be traced by the Dem/Lib regime…. Hurry, stock up!!!

    Reply
  8. Bought our AR556 the Friday morning that the House of Representatives voted to ban them. Just a way to tell Congress and the main stream media to kiss my ass.

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  9. You know what is funny is that back in the early 80s almost nobody had an AR15. They were relatively rare even in gunshops. Now they are the number 1 firearm sold and stocked. I bought one in the mid-eighties and only knew one other person with one, for years. How come? There are many reasons, but government (especially democrats) proving themselves absolutely untrustworthy to uphold their Constitutional oath of office, or to fulfill their primary responsibility of protecting the rights of the citizens was a huge part.

    Reply
  10. Imagine the government banning cars with automatic transmissions, three point safety belts, and crumple zones because some people are careless while driving or even use their car as a weapon. If that ban took place, I think people might wonder if the stated reason were actually true. But this is about guns so, there must be no question to the real reason why these bans are being pushed… We aren't stupid.

    Reply
  11. Smh, so much misrepresentation. There are so many lies. I watched the whole thing in hopes that they would at least use facts. Every time they got close to stating one, they would dance around it or use specific verbiage to confuse people. I believe in the 2nd amendment, but even I would even give you guys a chance if you wouldn't lie about everything. If you can't convince people with the facts, then don't even try. Legislation written based on lies or misrepresented information ultimately can only hurt everyone.

    Reply
  12. "…I think what we need to do is change the culture around gun ownership…"

    Okay. You're right. Let's train everyone – no exceptions! – in the firearm safety rules:

    1. Treat every weapon as if it were loaded.
    2. Never point a weapon at anything you don't intend to destroy.
    3. Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you intend to fire.
    4. Keep your weapon on safe until you're ready to fire.
    5. Know your target and be keenly aware of what is beyond it.

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  13. One point that is always overlooked is, take notice that the media and politicans use the word military style…
    Muzzle loaders, breach loaders, bolt action, lever action, pump action and revolvers have been used in the military and some still are.
    The goal is to ban EVERY firearm ever made from civialian use….dont be fooled.

    Reply
  14. The most dangerous thing over any guns in America are this people who sold us out.
    They want to take your freedom away, your hard-earned money, corrupt the minds of the children, they got so rich from lying and stealing, and someone who is so lost in the mind have the nuclear codes and have the power to dictate. Thank you liberal communist democrats for bringing more criminals to America the beautiful and thank you for releasing them from prison to commit murders again, you idiots!!!
    🇺🇸TRUMP2024!!!!
    Come take and take it!

    Reply
  15. This particular man has all the rights to be angry maybe some of the teachers can probably be armed in schools that would help or maybe just take off those stupid signs gun free zones that's a party waiting to happen children have to live under this gun free zone you think criminals give a s*** about gun free zones don't think so🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

    Reply
  16. Stopped voting for Democrats who are soft on crime and we'll stop clinging to the most effective tools for self defense. As a parent, I am devastated by violence in our schools and on our streets. But the gun laws liberals demand do nothing to stop either. They only restrict law abiding citizens. Shooting people is already illegal in all 50 States. Criminals don't care about your "common sense gun control." Deal with criminals and mental illness. And for the love of God! Stop murdering innocent babies wholesale through abortion while pretending a rifle's accessories are the reason kids are dying. It's hypocritical and disingenuous.

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  17. *This documentary fails to mention that during the 1994 AWB manufacturers were still producing "ban compliant" version of the AR15. These compliant variants were still the same firearm just without the "evil" "assault-ty" features. During the ban, 30rd magazines that would normally cost 15 dollars cost 60-100 dollars but were still available.

    * Remington's insurance company agreed to the Sandy Hook settlement. Huge difference!

    Reply
  18. AMERICA will Collapse eventually, you would be naive to think that politicians and the government will keep you safe , when our society falls you have to be prepared, rather be the one with it than be a victim!

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  19. Murica. The only 1st world nation with a 3rd world homicide rate. The only nation on the planet with regular school shootings.

    And you clowns think guns aren't a large part of the problem… 🤣🤣

    Reply
  20. Every law abiding citizen should be REQUIRED to own and carry a gun… We should all be armed to protect our neighbors and ourselves from criminals… We should all be trained in the handling of firearms.

    Reply
  21. The M-14 wasn't used in WWII. It wasn't used until Vietnam. Handguns ARE semiautomatic firearms so it is silly to compare them to semiautomatic firearms. Please do your research next time you feel compelled to make a video on a subject matter you are unfamiliar with.

    Reply
  22. It might have something to do with the fact that our government just tried locking us in our homes, shutting our businesses down and has been screaming it wants to take our firearms away for as long as I've been alive.

    It's also got a lot to do with the fiery, but mostly peaceful, "protests" that killed people, burned people's homes and ruined people's lives. The same riots that the media refused to cover in anything that wasn't a positive light on one hand, while encouraging with the other.

    Reply
  23. Wait number one type of firearm used in shootings are pistols followed by semi automatic firearms? So a pistol isn’t semi auto? And love the picture of the AR15 as the symbol of semi automatic firearms as if it’s the only one 🙄 thought this video was trying to be somewhat neutral but the truth comes out

    Reply
  24. Guns are all illegal where I live (Britain) and illegal guns are everywhere. You’re free,er being a criminal! It seems they want to disarm you too . Your rites will go when your weapons go trust me ! I’ll happily die a criminal

    Reply
  25. Though they are used to incur tens-of-thousands of more deaths than AR15s, Americans are also hell-bent on buying automobiles. Tools are tools, and some will always irresponsibly or maliciously be used, regardless of what they've specifically been manufactured to accomplish. To promote responsible possession, EDUCATION IS THE KEY. Even as our society invests heavily in Driver's education, the most common responsibilities of firearm ownership and use is severely ignored.

    Reply

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