On Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:49:41 -0500, iBoaterer wrote:

What use do assault rifles have to the average gun owner? Going to start
a war?

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It turns out that the "AR-15 style guns" make pretty decent hunting
and target rifles. They are not truly "assault rifles" however since
they can not (in most cases) fire in fully automatic mode. I agree
that it's hard to justify 30 round magazines when 5 or 10 is more than
adequate for hunting or target practice. The big mags do look cool
however and a lot of folks want them for that reason alone. Others
view them as a survival weapon if civilization as we know it breaks
down. Is that far fetched? Who can say.

The whole problem with this unfortunate incident in Connecticut lies
with the now deceased mother. She had a child with a long history of
emotional instability, taught him how to shoot, and gave him full
access to her well stocked arsenal. How stupid and irresponsible is
that?