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What is it like to fire an AR-15? It’s horrifying, menacing and very very loud
Daily News ^ | June 14, 2016 | GERSH KUNTZMAN

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.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; US: Florida; US: New York; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 2016election; 2ndamendment; ar15; banglist; clueless; demagogicparty; election2016; gershkuntzman; guncontrol; memebuilding; metrosexual; newyork; newyorkdailynews; partisanmediashill; partisanmediashills; secondamendment; trump
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To: The Continental Op

Bummer. Some of the edits were hilarious.


161 posted on 06/15/2016 9:58:37 AM PDT by NorthMountain (A plague o' both your houses.)
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To: SJackson

“Fair to say the author has never heard artillery.”

Or stood on the bridge of a warship as it launches a missile.


162 posted on 06/15/2016 9:58:53 AM PDT by dsc (Any attempt to move a government to the left is a crime against humanity.)
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“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.”

Naw, not PTSD. I’d suggest PMS but I know better. I felt just fine with it. Everybody else was ducking, but I was just fine.

Try a Mosin next time, Shwea’ Pea.


163 posted on 06/15/2016 10:00:13 AM PDT by Titan Magroyne (What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.)
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To: digger48
In fully automatic mode, it doesn’t take any imagination to see dozens of bodies falling in front of your barrel.

The AR15 is not fully automatic. Any fully automatic weapon in the US must be approved by the Department of Defense.

164 posted on 06/15/2016 10:02:50 AM PDT by xzins ( Free Republic Gives YOU a voice heard around the globe. Support the Freepathon!)
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To: digger48
Not enough hyperbole. Let me help:
I’ve shot pistols before, but never something like an AR-15. Squeeze lightly on the trigger and the resulting fiery deathmaking explosion of sheer firepower is horrific, humbling, deafening (even with ear protection), and blinding. One shot put both my ears and my eyes out.

The recoil tore both my arms clean off. The molten-metal brass shell casings disoriented me and flew into my face, and like some sort of evil tapeworm, burrowed into my brain, searing and scalding my flesh in a sizzling torturous manner. The smell of hellish sulfur and destruction made me vomit uncontrollably, and Satan himself appeared before me, and said, "Good, good... murder someone...". Anyone who owns such a device is clearly a sick, perverted terrorist. The explosions — loud like a nuclear bomb — gave me permanent PTSD. For at least an hour after firing the gun just a few times, I was anxious and irritable, and longed to drink the blood of infants. Guns make you eat children.

Even in semi-automatic mode, it is very simple to squeeze off one hundred thousand rounds in a picosecond, killing millions. In fully automatic mode, you will put out the sun. You don't want to put out the sun, do you?

In 60 seconds, this firearm can destroy all the life on the planet Earth, including microbes.

165 posted on 06/15/2016 10:10:41 AM PDT by Lazamataz (Chuck Norris finally met his match in Donald Trump.)
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To: Lazamataz

That’s been my experience too. When I go to the range these days I make sure I have a ride home so they can re-attach the arms. It stings a little, but it’s worth it.


166 posted on 06/15/2016 10:13:05 AM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: digger48

“It feels like a bazooka and sounds like a cannon.”

Horse puckey, prairie pancakes, fiddlesticks and bull@#$%>.

(jerk)

IMHO


167 posted on 06/15/2016 10:37:20 AM PDT by ripley
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To: digger48

Squeeze lightly on the trigger and the resulting explosion of firepower is humbling and deafening (even with ear protection). ............................. LOL, been with the Army for 30+ years, I remember the change over from M-1, M-14 to AR 16. Loud?? It was a pea shooter compared to the M1 and M14. Want loud, try a Carcano Carbine, a Moisin, or a 98K if you want loud. Then come and tell me an AR 15 is loud.


168 posted on 06/15/2016 10:44:59 AM PDT by Bringbackthedraft (HILLARY 2016 - SERIOUSLY? What are they thinking?)
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To: Spok

There are 7.62X39 chambered AR15s, which is probably what this pansy arse shot. Regardless, it is hardly like a bomb or a bazooka and is nothing like the MCX used by mateen.

If Kuntman actually shot a .223 and authored this drek based on that, then he just needs to end it all now, no sense in going on.


169 posted on 06/15/2016 11:02:36 AM PDT by jurroppi1 (The only thing you "pass to see what's in it" is a stool sample. h/t MrB)
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To: digger48

voicers@nydailynews.com

For anyone who wants to explain to him what he is and what he’s full of.


170 posted on 06/15/2016 12:13:24 PM PDT by RWB Patriot ("My ability is a value that must be earned and I don't recognize anyone's need as a claim on me.")
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To: xzins
Any fully automatic weapon in the US must be approved by the Department of Defense.

Approved for what? Since when?

171 posted on 06/15/2016 1:18:58 PM PDT by T-Bird45 (It feels like the seventies, and it shouldn't.)
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To: T-Bird45

Stuart Varney had a Seal on this morning who stated that. And he said you’ll be regularly inspected. So, that means that fully automatic weapons are already virtually illegal.


172 posted on 06/15/2016 1:29:48 PM PDT by xzins ( Free Republic Gives YOU a voice heard around the globe. Support the Freepathon!)
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To: xzins
Stuart Varney had a Seal on this morning who stated that. And he said you’ll be regularly inspected. So, that means that fully automatic weapons are already virtually illegal.

Now there's an authoritative source.

Here are the facts: As long as there are no restrictions at the local/state level, a la NY/CA, an individual can apply for a Class III license through the BATFE. It requires payment of a tax stamp ($200 IIRC), an application that includes approval by your local LE chief, and a background check with photos & fingerprints. Upon approval, you can then acquire said firearm, assuming you have the deep pockets necessary. A recent quote I heard said $15K is about the minimum price for admission to that exclusive club. About the only thing that you think you heard that was correct was about being subject to regular inspection.

For your reading pleasure:

The Firearm Blog

173 posted on 06/15/2016 1:57:10 PM PDT by T-Bird45 (It feels like the seventies, and it shouldn't.)
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To: digger48
a gun that can empty a 40-round clip in less than five seconds.

Pure deceitful falsehood.

From the internet...http://wredlich.com/ny/2012/07/gun-control-aurora-and-the-ar-15-factoids-and-foolishness/

The AR-15′s rate of fire is not nearly as high as some exaggerated numbers I’ve seen. Sustained rate of fire is roughly 12-15 rounds per minute, and that link is for the true military M-16 version. They tend to overheat and/or jam if you shoot too fast.

174 posted on 06/15/2016 8:58:19 PM PDT by Seaplaner (Never give in. Never give in. Never...except for convictions of honour and good sense. W. Churchill)
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To: digger48

another related topic:

Dick Durbin Says No Self-Respecting Sportsman Uses an 'AR-47' to Hunt Deer in Illinois


175 posted on 06/18/2016 7:29:11 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (I'll tell you what's wrong with society -- no one drinks from the skulls of their enemies anymore.)
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