“Invisible Sun” by the Police: “I don’t want to spend the rest of my life/Looking at the barrel of an Armalite”
So I’ve learned a few things about AR 15- type rifles lately:
- AR originally stood for Armalite, but now has become known to many people as America’s Rifle
- A round from an AR is no bigger than a round from a 9mm pistol
- I recently went to a shooting range with an acquaintance (disclaimer: I do not own a gun) and stood a few feet away from a group of shooters practicing with an AR-type of rifle. I was startled and amazed at the power and sound I felt as they shot
- An AR produces a higher velocity than a typical pistol, creating (along with a higher capacity magazine) a much greater destructive force
- This force creates a “cavitation effect” in the human body which results in devastation to hard and soft tissue much more severe than a wound from a pistol
- Fans of violence might find that fascinating, but I’m horrified to imagine what that power does to the body of a child.
- I read somewhere that a gun salesman said if you want to sell something to an American, tell them they can’t have it.
- These facts have been on my mind this week as I think about the retired police officer sitting on his ass at the end of my hallway with his eyes glued to his phone. Would I feel any differently if he were patrolling the halls with an assault rifle and body armor?
- Kudos to those teachers who have risen up against at least some of the destructive power of a crazy person with an AR 15 and the people who allow this to keep happening. It’s one of the things that makes our country unique.
- Then there’s “Armalite Rifle” by Gang of Four
Travels with Pops 