Posted on 06/14/2016 6:35:59 PM PDT by digger48
It feels like a bazooka — and sounds like a cannon.
One day after 49 people were killed in the Orlando shooting, I traveled to Philadelphia to better understand the firepower of military-style assault weapons and, hopefully, explain their appeal to gun lovers.
But mostly, I was just terrified.
Many gun shops turned down our request to fire and discuss the AR-15, a style of semi-automatic rifle popular with mass killers such as San Bernardino terrorist Syed Farook and similar to the Sig Sauer MCX rifle used by Orlando terrorist Omar Mateen.
Killers in mass shootings used AR-15, thanks to NRA But Frank Stelmach of Double Tap Shooting Range and Gun Shop invited me, videographer Michael Sheridan and reporter Adam Shrier to come down. Stelmach is not like many gun lovers. He admires his weaponry, yes, and has difficulty explaining why law-abiding citizens need a gun that can empty a 40-round clip in less than five seconds. But he also hates the idea that “bad people” get a hold of a gun like this and use it to kill without difficulty.
“There should be expanded background checks — extending into your family, friends and associates,” he said. “And there should be a mental health screening. In Europe, if you want to buy a gun, you have to see a doctor (for a psychiatric examination) to see if something’s not right.”
Gersh Kuntzman works with gun ghop owner Frank Stelmach on how to handle the AR-15. Gersh Kuntzman works with gun ghop owner Frank Stelmach on how to handle the AR-15. Stelmach, who opened his shop six years ago after a career in law enforcement in Europe, even calls for government officials to take away guns from some owners — something very few gun advocates support.
He also said he never sells a gun to someone who “looks a little bit funny,” and he claimed he had prevented many guns from getting into the wrong hands because the would-be purchaser “asked stupid questions” like, “What happens to me if the gun is stolen?”
But very few gun shop owners do anything close to Stelmach’s sniff test — and he acknowledged how easy it is to find another gun shop owner willing to make the sale.
Very easy. In fact, as Philadelphia Daily News columnist Helen Ubinas showed today, you can get a military weapon in seven minutes in this country.
Richard Cohen: American insanity: Assault rifles for all Stelmach doesn’t think it should be easy. But he thinks it should be allowed.
He loves the AR-15 for cops, soldiers, hunters and target shooters. “It’s fun to shoot something like that,” he said.
Not in my hands. I’ve shot pistols before, but never something like an AR-15. Squeeze lightly on the trigger and the resulting explosion of firepower is humbling and deafening (even with ear protection).
The recoil bruised my shoulder. The brass shell casings disoriented me as they flew past my face. The smell of sulfur and destruction made me sick. The explosions — loud like a bomb — gave me a temporary case of PTSD. For at least an hour after firing the gun just a few times, I was anxious and irritable.
Even in semi-automatic mode, it is very simple to squeeze off two dozen rounds before you even know what has happened. In fully automatic mode, it doesn’t take any imagination to see dozens of bodies falling in front of your barrel.
All it takes is the will to do it.
Forty nine people can be gone in 60 seconds.
Some people should not be allowed to touch a weapon. I agree with him on that. It’s the “who” where we diasagree.
He’s at the top of my list of who should not have a gun. then add everyone else who thinks controlling a gun is a problem. With practice everyone can hit the target - just need to learn control. But if you dont want to then a gun is dangerous
I wonder what the dildo would think if it fired a 338 win mag. Or 300 win mag. 7MM remington mag. Or a 348 H&H.
I shot them all and I am telling you. The third or fourth shot makes you flinch. Especially if you hot load them like I used to.
Double Taps’ FB page has an explanation, apology and comment about Kuntzy’s manhood. https://www.facebook.com/doubletapshootingrange/?fref=ts
Kuntzy did a Couric on Stelmach. No gun shops should talk to media. Period.
Try a 20mm lahti if you ever are lucky enough.
I did, and of all the big bore hunting belted mag rifles I have hand loaded and shot, that lathi scared the livin hell out of me. Some guy had one and invited me to try it. GD! The muzzle blast was unreal say nothing about the kick.
As a matter of fact, given TRUMP USA standards for American womanhood, I don't think Gersh comes anywhere near qualifying as an American girl:
I have never fired anything of that size.
The highest I ever fired was 30-06. I can deal with that one, definitely packs a punch though.
My step dad had the 300 win mag, he was going to hunt bear in Alaska with this, and he was trying to set his scope one day up on the farm in South Carolina.
I was standing near him when he fired it, probably about 6-8 feet away, he was in prone position. That thing knocked me off my feet and basically sounded like dynamite going off right next to me.
He just picked up the gun, put it back in its sleeve and put it away. I’m not sure that he ever fired it again.
You, AUTHOR, are a f***ing LIAR. You should spell your last name with a “C” instead of a “K”. And if you neglect to wear enough ear protection you are howlingly, mind-bendingly STUPID!!! The AR-15 has VIRTUALLY NO, I repeat NO RECOIL!!!!!
Oh ya! The Win mag and 7mm Remington Mag have about the same ballistics, except the 300 win mag has larger bullets. Very good rifle for Alaska.
Here is the Lahti, and you wouldnt believe how many of these that are out there. Its a anti tank gun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7EfR4K17G8
I'm sorry, I'm sure the rest of the article was equally as useless as the first few sentences. But when I got to that part I just couldn't go on. These phrases indicate the writer has absolutely no clue, none whatsoever, about what he is writing about.
Gawd. I hope the poor thing had his diapers on for his trip to the range.
I hope some of the people her click on the article, then click on “letters to the editor.” It will automatically open an email for letters on the Lyin’
Kuntzman story. I’ve sent one, hope you all do. They will finally have to print at least one of them.
My 10 year old would disagree. And since when did the AR-15 become fully automatic?
Drama QUEEN.
That’s the great thing about America.
Nobody is FORCING anyone else to own a Firearm.
The problem lies with those who want to DENY another the Right to own a Firearm.
Freaking Nazis, every one of them.
Good grief. The .223 round is only a couple thousandths of an inch bigger than a standard .22 round - something children have been shooting in this country for generations.
Baby wuss makes it sound like he shot a cannon. No anti-gun agenda there, boy!
All you need do is read the linked article’s first sentence...
“It feels like a bazooka — and sounds like a cannon.”
...to understand this is pure hyperbole and scare-mongering.
‘Splain to me how he knows what a bazooka feels like, or what a cannon sounds like. Because unless we’re talking bubblegum and Japanese cameras, I’m fair certain he’s never been within a mile of either.
Maybe he didn’t know what he was shooting. http://www.petersenshunting.com/gear-accessories/nemo-omen-458/
I believe this is satire. And if it is, it’s the best satire in a long time.
*** You have to be a tough girl if you like shooting Mosins. ***
Big Simo Häyhä fan, who thinks that bruise on her shoulder is a badge of honor.
What a bunch of crap. My kids have shot an AR didn’t get bruised, didn’t get PTSD (unless that involves having a big grin plastered to one’s face for a few hours).
Clearly, this”guy” never shot a Grand, or a ,308 boogie, let alone anything with serious recoil.
This article was nothing other than a pure propaganda hit piece against the AR-15, and in favor of a band. It could have been written by Sarah Brady or Hillary Clinton, but I don’t believe that even they are as big of a sissy as this moron. Heck, Hillary’s got balls, and I’m thinking this guy is a transgender.
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