Editor,

I find it admirable for John M. Flagler of Alfred to defend Cierra Albert’s column about gun violence, but your letter to the editor does not differ much from her article.

Due to your inaccurate use of the facts on the issue, your statements stating “Inventor’s family says it’s an Assault Rifle,” is correct. Yet, you intentionally mislead and overlooked the fact that when the family made the statement, that they were speaking of the Military AR-15 with selective semi-automatic and fully automatic rifle designed by Eugene Storer. Not the Armalite AR-15 aftermarket designed for the civilian market. Also, when the family was asked whether the Armalite AR-15 aftermarket was indeed an Assault Rifle, the family’s response was, “ no prescription, or opinion.”

Mr. Flagler: Your statement that in fact the AR-15 semi- auto rifle is an Assault Rifle, is misleading at best. The United States Ordnance Depot defines an Assault Rifle to have the capability of a selective fire component of semi- auto to full fire, which it must have to be classified as a true assault rifle, which the aftermarket Armalite or Colt AR-15 do not possess. Therefore, it is the opinion of the United States Government, that the civilian model AR-15 does not qualify and is not an Assault Rifle by definition.

However, for political talk and leverage the Anti-gun and Politicians use the term “assault weapons”, which is not a U.S. Military term. Assault weapons today or any rifle, even shotguns that one adds various components to; such as pistol grips, flash suppressors, folding stock, or bayonet lugs, and a whole series of modifications that can make a rifle look somewhat like the AR-15. These rifles once modified are not true assault rifles by U.S. Government standards. The AR-15 semi-auto civilian model also falls into the above category.

Mr. Flagler: The AK-47 civilian aftermarket rifle semi-auto carries a magazine of 30 rounds and is similar to the AR-15. However, you never see Democrats, Liberals, Progressives, or the Mainstream Media; mention the fact that they are one in the same. The AR-15 is no more than a talking point for anti-gun groups and the Democratic Party. The AR-15 was chosen to be the guinea pig for all the issues of the gun control advocates.

When you stated in your article (he), I assume you were speaking of (I), and that I possibly did not experience infantry and that soldiers fire their weapons on semi-auto 99 percent of the time. I beg to differ, it all depends on the conflict and circumstances at the time of the engagement and fire fight. The soldier in question would at that moment decide what is best for his survival. Not decided by you or I.

Mr. Flager: “Experience” Enlisted -1958 Army Military Police was the Armorer for all company weapons, honorable discharge -1966

I do not own an AR-15 and have at the moment no desire to purchase one. Although, if an individual who is an American Citizen wishes to purchase one- I certainly have no objection to them doing so, as long as AR-15’s are legal by Federal and State laws.

A message to all owners of AR-15’s: it would behoove you, and be in your best interest to stop calling your AR-15 an “Assault Rifle.” In doing so, it is misleading. Secondly, by stating “Assault Rifle” you are only giving the Anti-gun advocates ammunition to use it against you. For your information the prefix AR does not stand for Assault Rifle, it stands for Armalite Rifle.

Roger Compagna

Saco