1. a machine gun
   a semi-automatic rifle
2. a toaster

The AR-15, both legendary and infamous, is a semi-automatic rifle. It’s easily one of the most popular weapons in the United States.

1. “assault rifle"
   “ArmaLite"
2. “arms race"

The "AR" portion of the gun’s name is from "ArmaLite," the weapon’s original manufacturer. These days, many companies produce guns based on ArmaLite’s specifications.

1. recreation
   military
2. assassinations

ArmaLite built the AR-15 expressly for military purposes. But there was just one problem — no one really wanted to buy it.

1. Winchester
   Colt
2. Nike

In 1959, facing major financial problems, ArmaLite sold the AR-15’s rights to Colt. Colt then began selling the rifle in a semi-automatic version in the mid-‘60s.

1. foreign countries
   elite soldiers
2. law enforcement and the public

Colt’s M16 was already successful with the military. So it tweaked the AR-15 a bit and began targeting law enforcement agencies and the public ... and the gun became a hit.

1. Colt went bankrupt.
   The patent expired.
2. Colt gave up its rights to the gun.

In the 1970s, Colt's patent expired. That means that these days, all sorts of companies can manufacture weapons called the AR-15.

1. about $100
   less than $1,000
2. at least $4,400

The AR-15 is a high-performance weapon that’s actually pretty affordable. Basic versions can be had for less than $1,000. But many people spend thousands to upgrade and customize their guns.

1. true
2. false

The AR-15 is a semi-automatic weapon, meaning you have to pull the trigger after each shot. In a fully automatic rifle, you only have to pull the trigger once to unleash every round.

1. about 30
   about 500
2. about 100

Basic versions of the AR-15 can shoot about 30 rounds before running short of lead. That means you can blast a lot of holes before you have to reload.

1. about 200 yards
   about 600 yards
2. about 1 mile

The AR-15 has enough firepower to accurately strike targets at a range of 600 yards. That’s only if you have a very steady aim, though.

1. at least 100,000
   more than 8 million
2. about 80 million

The AR-15 is a fabulously popular gun. There are at least 8 million in use today. Some estimates are higher, at around 15 million.

1. can opener
   carrying handle
2. head smasher

It’s one of the gun’s most recognizable traits. The rear sight also bends into a handy carrying handle, all the better to tote your AR-15 wherever you go.

1. to increase accuracy
   to help stabilize a semi-automatic weapon after every shot, naturally increasing the rate of fire
2. to bump an enemy on the head

Bump stocks vastly increase the firing rate of semi-automatic weapons, including the AR-15, by harnessing recoil. This makes it easier to crank off rounds much faster.

1. to increase firing range
   to make the gun less dangerous
2. so soldiers could carry more rounds

ArmaLite had battlefields in mind during the design process. The idea was to make it easier for soldiers to carry more ammo.

1. true
2. false

Since Colt’s patent expired in 1977, other gun makers have used AR-15 in their marketing materials. But many of those guns hardly resemble the original design.

1. George Bush
   Bill Clinton
2. Barack Obama

In 1994, Bill Clinton signed legislation outlawing assault-style rifles like the AR-15. The laws have shifted in the years since.

1. 1997
   2004
2. 2017

In 2004, the Clinton-era ban expired. Weapons manufacturers immediately jumped at a chance to profit again from the AR-15.

1. about 50
   about 210
2. about 650

The AR-15’s lightweight ammo is tremendous advantage in some situations. An infantryman can carry roughly 210 rounds.

1. It has terrible construction quality.
   It’s been used in mass shootings.
2. Its accuracy suffers in hot conditions.

The AR-15 (or its derivatives) have been used in a number of high-profile mass shootings. Many legislators have called for the guns to be banned.

1. 12
   18
2. 24

Laws vary by state. But in most places you can buy an AR-15 when you’re 18 years old, with no waiting period.

1. uses only hollow-point rounds
   modularity
2. best accuracy of any weapon ever

Originally, the AR-15 was meant for battlefields, and ArmaLite made its design very modular. In short, it means you can quickly swap out certain parts for unique customization or repair.

1. .22
   5.56 mm
2. .357

The company’s original design called for either a 5.56mm or .223 Remington cartridge. Both proved to have plenty of stopping power ... but not enough for most military purposes.

1. Sales weren’t great.
   Sales were average.
2. Sales were phenomenal.

No one really wanted the AR-15 first. One reason? That handy carrying handle on the top made it very hard to mount a scope.

1. made entirely of plastic
   completely unbreakable
2. low recoil

The AR-15 is noted for its low recoil. That makes it very comfortable to shoot, even for people who are sensitive to recoil.

1. Iowa
   Australia
2. China

In the ‘96 massacre in Australia, a mentally unstable man killed 35 people and hurt 23 others. Notably, Australian legislators passed laws restricting guns like the AR-15 in the wake of the shooting.

1. not particularly powerful
   more powerful than average
2. incredibly powerful

Those little 5.56 mm rounds that ArmaLite meant for use in the AR-15? Compared to a modern big game rifle they don’t really pack all that much punch.

1. true
2. false

There are roughly 300 million guns in America. The 8 million AR-15s in circulation make up only a tiny percentage of guns in the country.

1. machine gun
   assault rifle
2. modern sporting rifle

Manufacturers understand that the AR-15’s aggressive looks make it seem like an assault rifle. They invented the phrase "modern sporting rifle" as a means of acknowleding that these are sporting rifles ... with an edgy aesthetic.

1. about 20
   about 60
2. about 500

There’s no downplaying just how popular the AR-15 is with consumers. There are about 500 companies making these firearms.

1. 0
   about 300,000
2. about 4 million

The AR-15 was never adopted by the U.S. military. Because it doesn’t have full auto capability, it’s not desirable for close-quarters combat.