The AR-15 is often seen as the civilian cousin of the U.S. Military’s M-16. It has a very involved history that traces back more than six decades. From military innovation to polarizing civilian firearms, its journey is marked by technological advancements, legislative battles, and cultural significance.
Originally known as the ArmaLite 15, this firearm was designed in the late 1950s by a former Marine named Eugene Stoner working for the ArmaLite Company. The “AR” in AR-15 indeed stands for ArmaLite, not “assault rifle.” Quite to that point, the design was quite revolutionary; the rifle was made up of a lightweight frame and could fire a high-velocity 5.56mm cartridge. The AR-15 was originally planned for the military and quickly showed up on the radar of the U.S. Military for being the next successor to the M-14.
In 1959, ArmaLite sold the design to Colt Firearms, which began producing the rifle for military use. By 1963, the AR-15 had been adopted by the U.S. Air Force as the M-16, and it soon became the standard service rifle for all branches of the U.S. Military. The M-16 saw extensive use during the Vietnam War, where its lightweight design and high rate of fire proved advantageous in jungle warfare.
In the 1980s, when the original patent expired, the AR-15 entered civilian hands. Colt continued its commercial manufacture of it, as did other manufacturers producing semi-automatic versions. It instantly became popular among firearms and outdoor sports enthusiasts. The fact that it served military purposes and that several mass shooting incidents drew wide publicity associates it directly with the gun-control debate.
With the AR-15, large parts of its design can be changed out, which is one of the reasons it is such a favorite among hobbyists and hunters. “There are very few things that serve such a great form and function, and look cool,” said Daniel Chandler, an AR-15 owner. To many, the rifle represents freedom, self-sufficiency, and American ingenuity.
Despite its popularity, the AR-15 has widely been opposed. Critics say that the high-velocity rounds cause more severe injuries compared with the typical handguns and make them particularly lethal in mass shootings. Trauma surgeon Donald Jenkins said, “Higher muzzle-velocity projectiles are more likely to cause severe injury and bleeding.”
The AR-15 has been the focus of several legislative battles. The 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban included a prohibition on the sale of many types of semiautomatic rifles, including the AR-15. Once the ban had expired in 2004, the resurgence in popularity of the rifle led to “panic buying,” due to fear of renewed restrictions during the presidency of Barack Obama and driving sales of AR-15s to record levels.
It is not possible to speak of the influence of the AR-15 and encapsulate it within a single discussion on technical specifications or legislative history. The fact that over these years, it has become a part of American culture which symbolizes various values to many different types of individuals cannot be discussed in such a manner. To some, it is the means for protection of self and hunting, while others perceive it as a manifestation of American freedom and strength. Its use in mass shootings has also turned it into a symbol for the urgent cry for more rigid gun control.
From military innovation to civilian firearms, the AR-15’s life and times reflect some dichotomies that arise in American gun culture. The AR-15 will continue to play the role of a compelling icon for American freedom and the fierce battle to harmonize such freedom with public safety while gun control debates remain.