The AR-15 — its initials come not from “assault rifle” but from its original manufacturer, ­Armalite — is a descendant of the machine guns Nazi infantrymen used against Soviet forces in World War II. Opponents call it an “assault rifle,” arguing that it is designed solely to kill people and has no legitimate recreational use. The model is, according to the NRA, the most commonly used rifle in marksmanship training and competition. But bills modeled after the limits passed in Connecticut after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting died without getting a hearing last year. The latest school shooting led some pro-gun politicians to speak out against the AR-15.

Source: Washington Post February 15, 2018 23:29 UTC