What is the use you would have for owning an AR-15?

[krispos42]

15. If I was going to get one, it would be for self-defense

There are really only 4 reasons for owning a gun, IMO: hunting, self-defense, collecting, and recreational shooting.

I don't hunt and I don't collect, so that leaves self-defense and recreational shooting.

I don't have the kind of money or time (nor do I want the almost-mandatory NRA membership that comes with most shooting clubs) so I'm not going to be performing either tactical or target competitive shooting. But that leaves the once-or-twice a year trip to the rifle range to maintain some minimal aspect of proficiency.

The rest of the time, like all other self-defense guns, it would be kept someplace secure but readily accessible just in case the shit hits the fan.

It would not be my first choice; I live in a smallish apartment and prefer the mobility and agility of a handgun. But if you told me I had to get one, it would be optimized for self-defense. I'd probably opt for one that shoots 9mm Luger handgun ammo or the .300 Blackout instead of the .223 rifle cartridge.

I could use the gun for hunting; the .223 works well on coyote and smaller animals, and something like the 6.8 SPC is sufficient for short-to-medium range deer and other similar-sized animals. But I'm not in hunting territory (suburban Connecticut) so I double I'll ever be hunting.