AR-15
Popular civilian firearm
The AR-15 is a lightweight semi-automatic rifle originally designed for military use, now widely sold to civilians.
The "AR" stands for ArmaLite Rifle, after the company that developed it in the 1950s—not "assault rifle," despite common belief.
It has become the most popular rifle platform in America, prized by enthusiasts for its modularity and accuracy, while central to debates over gun control following mass shootings.
He customized his AR-15 with a new stock and optics.
Fires once, self-reloads
- carbineShort-barreled lightweight firearm
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
- barrelHooped cylindrical vessel
- triggerWhat initiates action
magazine · chamber · bolt · stock · grip · handguard · muzzle · flash suppressor
U.S. military rifle
- M4U.S. military rifle
- infantryGround combat troops
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- deploymentOrganized distribution of resources
mil-spec · Colt · selective fire · burst · full-auto · NATO · standard issue · battlefield
Accuracy in shooting
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- zeroingCalibrating to baseline
- targetObject of pursuit
- rangeExtent of variation
grouping · benchrest · competition · plinking · sight picture · trigger control · stance · reloading
Supplementary items or adornments
- railHorizontal support bar
- scopeExtent or range
- foregripFront weapon grip
- bipodTwo-legged stabilizing mount
sling · flashlight · laser · suppressor · silencer · optic · iron sights · muzzle brake
Firearm ownership restrictions
- Second AmendmentConstitutional gun rights clause
- mass shootingsMultiple people shot together
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- NRAGun rights advocates
lobbying · assault weapon · ban · regulation · background checks · debate · reform · advocacy
semiautomatic
Fires once, self-reloads
- carbineShort-barreled lightweight firearm
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
- barrelHooped cylindrical vessel
trigger · magazine · chamber · bolt · stock · grip · handguard · muzzle · flash suppressor · ejection port
M16
U.S. military rifle
deployment · mil-spec · Colt · selective fire · burst · full-auto · NATO · standard issue · battlefield · veteran
marksmanship
Accuracy in shooting
range · grouping · benchrest · competition · plinking · sight picture · trigger control · stance · reloading · brass
accessories
Supplementary items or adornments
bipod · sling · flashlight · laser · suppressor · silencer · optic · iron sights · muzzle brake · compensator
gun control
Firearm ownership restrictions
- Second AmendmentConstitutional gun rights clause
- mass shootingsMultiple people shot together
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
NRA · lobbying · assault weapon · ban · regulation · background checks · debate · reform · advocacy · policy
- firearmspistol, handgun, shotgun, revolver, carbine
- police weaponsservice pistol, service weapon, duty weapon, sidearm, handgun
- RiflesM16, lever action, AK-47, M4, carbine
- assault weaponsAK-47, M16, detachable magazine, pistol grip, bump stock
- machine gunsmachine gun, light machine gun, heavy machine gun, LMG, Vickers
AR-15M16
U.S. military rifle
AK-47 · machine gun · bolt-action rifle · musket · muzzleloader
AR-15shield
Handheld defensive armor
plowshare · olive branch · white flag · sword · bare hands
AR-15olive branch
Symbol of reconciliation
white flag · gun buyback · disarmament · peace symbol · dove