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[TeddyR]

6. I guess I have a couple of thoughts in response

Semiautomatic rifles like the AK-47 Dear had are very rarely used in crimes. I don't have the numbers at hand but my recollection is that knives are used in many more murders that semiautomatic rifles. Furthermore, the weapon Dear used was not an automatic weapon like the terrorists used in France a few weeks ago or like the rifles used by militaries. Instead, it fires at the same rate (semi-auto) as any of the millions of handguns available for purchase at your local gun store. So it isn't "designed for war" any more than the handguns readily available for purchase in just about any location in the US. In fact, while you can purchase handguns identical or very similar to those used by the militaries and police forces of various countries, you generally cannot purchase automatic weapons (subject to some really expensive/time-consuming exceptions) at all.