President Obama will address the nation for the 14th time since the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, where 14 people were gunned down.
Versions of the AR15 were used and it seems to be the weapon of choice in other mass shootings, as well.
The assault rifle was used in October of 2015 when nine people were shot dead at Umpqua Community College. It was also in the July 2012 Colorado movie theater shooting, and the December 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting.
“It's another tragic reminder that here, in America, it’s way too easy for dangerous people to get their hands on a gun.” said President Barack Obama on Saturday.
The president is calling for tougher gun laws.
“People on the No-Fly list can walk into a store and buy a gun. That is insane,” he said.
“People for or against guns seem to have a common realization that this was a horrific incident,” Damon Crutcher, of Primitive Combat Systems, said.
Crutcher is a gun enthusiast and expert. His love for guns started at a young age when his father, who served in Vietnam, would take him shooting.
He spent 6.5 years in the military and currently runs his own shooting company. He is also a fan of the AR15.
“If we gave up all the parts of the rights, the high capacity magazine, the AR15 style weapons, if we gave up all that, I guarantee you these wouldn't stop. These wouldn't change. It would just be a different gun or the person would break one more,” Crutcher said.
Crutcher told ABC15 that the AR15 is a popular rifle because it’s easy to use and it is affordable. But any other gun in the wrong hands can have the same effect.
“The hit percentage may be higher. Actual action is no different than a pistol or many other rifles,” Crutcher said.
As the President and Congress wrangle for stricter background checks, Crutcher said that doesn’t worry him.
“What needs to be talked about is the loss of life, not just jumping into anti-gun, pro-gun whatever,” Crutcher said.
