This doesn't help our education efforts:

[MikeBjerum]

From American Rifleman Ten Rifles You Must Own Before You Die.  The first sentence introducing the AR-15 goes as follows:

This rifle has been the standard military-issue rifle for U.S. Armed Forces for more than 50 years, serving mostly as the selective-fire M-16.

[JC5123]

I'm not seeing where that is a false, or bad statement. I would have worded it more coherently, but the AR-15 is, in fact the semi-automatic version of the military M-16.

Am I missing something?

[MikeBjerum]

The AR is a semi automatic rifle.  The military rifle is the M16 and it's current variants.

We are not running around the streets with M16's like the anit's accuse us of, but this article points that we are.

Remember, they are not using our 1911's or M1's as poster children for evil, and they are the exact same firearms that were developed for the military.  The AR is a different breed than its cousin the M16.

[JC5123]

The AR is a semi automatic rifle.  The military rifle is the M16 and it's current variants.

We are not running around the streets with M16's like the anit's accuse us of, but this article points that we are.

Remember, they are not using our 1911's or M1's as poster children for evil, and they are the exact same firearms that were developed for the military.  The AR is a different breed than its cousin the M16.

Not really, all you have to do is change a few internal parts and it's the same gun.

[MikeBjerum]

On the old ones that is true.  However, not anymore, and even if it were or you happen to have an old one it is still illegal.

We need to stay on facts, and it is not the M16 running around on the streets committing a handful of crimes.  It is an everyday semi-automatic rifle that is used in fewer murders every year than are committed by people using their hands or feet for strike attacks.

Bottom line, in case I have not said it enough, the AR is not an M16, and the modern versions are nothing more than similar.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

Yes, lets stay on the facts.
No socialist POS is taking a gun away from me whether it's a single shot 22 or 155 howitzer.
End of debate.

[Jrlobo]

m58,

      If I understand your point, we don't need the NRA to make such a mistake when our opponents are claiming just that. Again we shoot what we aim at and this time it is our own two feet! Frustrating...

[MikeBjerum]

Jrlobo,

You got it!

[kmitch200]

Wasn't it the select fire AR15 before it got officially adopted by the military who gave it the designation M16?
(I understand your point, this is more of an angels on head of pin query)
 

[MikeBjerum]

I believe that was the prototype name.

The AR is ArmaLite Rifle.  M16 is the military designation.  The fact that the 1934 and 1968 Acts heavily regulated the function separates the final products AR 15 and M 16.