First, a bit about me. I’m active duty US military. I won’t disclose my current MOS, but I’m prior Infantry and I have combat experience. I own a gun. The majority of my experience and gun knowledge comes from my military background. I’m not one of those enthusiasts who lives and breathes this stuff. I consider knowledgeable but not an expert.
The AR-15 is the civilian version of the military M4 Carbine. The only substantive difference between the two is the M4 selector lever has semi-auto and 3 round burst, and the AR-15 comes with only semi-auto. Some M4’s now have full auto.
There are many types of guns for different purposes. Smaller pistols with a smoother profile for concealed carry, shotguns for skeet shooting and game, hunting rifles, pistols and rifles for competition shooting, and more. Of course, a particlar make/model gun can and do serve multiple purposes.
The M4/AR15 is made with one purpose in mind. Fire superiority. To win a firefight, period. That armed Sheriff at Marjory Douglas High School who didn’t go in? He was absolutely outgunned. Maybe his training would be able to overcome that, and maybe he would have the element of surprise (I don’t know, I wasn’t there). But if hardware alone was the deciding factor he was pretty much fucked.
I’m not excusing his inaction, but nor am I shaming him. For the record, I think he should be fired. Not as punishment, but because when the moment of truth arrived - he wasn’t up to the most important job that will ever be asked of a LEO, protecting children. Risking your life in that manner is a LOT to ask anyone, especially when you’re outgunned. But sorry, this is a worst case scenario. School children are being slaughtered. If you’re not up to putting yourself between innocent children and a 5.56 round, it’s time to hang it up. Most LEOs will go their entire careers never finding out if they have that in them. He found out. Maybe permanent desk duty can be an alternative.
So what makes the M4/AR-15 ideal in a firefight?
Accuracy:
If you have stable position you can reach out and touch someone with relative ease at 300 meters. A typical handgun won’t reach anywhere near that far. A hand gun, maybe 50 meters on average — more or less depending on which one.
And it’s not only about the max effective range. In close quarters the AR-15 still far more accurate than a pistol, especially in a real situation with movement, elevated heart rate and adrenaline. Weapon stability is extremely important for accuracy. With a pistol, unless you’re emplaced behind something you can use as a base (a short wall, the hood of a car), you’re relying solely on your muscles for stability. Your shot placement is likely to be all over the place. With an AR-15 you have a hand on the pistol grip, your off hand stabilizing the muzzle, and the buttstock nicely seated in your shoulder. At 50 meters and under I can point and shoot a target without really aiming. With a Close-Combat Optic can keep both eyes open, acquire targets and engage them very quickly and very accurately.
Lethality/Magazine capacity:
The 5.56 round is designed to pack a lot punch in a smaller package. Smaller size, more velocity. Now you can carry more ammo. Standard magazine size is 30 rounds. I’m sure in some states you can buy extended mags with more. Typical revolvers, 5-8 rounds. Typical mag pistols, around 8 rounds for concealed carry versions, around 15-20ish for full sized versions. The 5.56 round is relatively small but it’s very high velocity and it does a lot of damage. What’s more, the weapon barely kicks at all, so you can maintain an impressive rate of fire while staying on target.
Arming School Teachers:
Sorry, but no. The military beats three things in us, safety safety safety. I swear I can’t take a shit without first receiving a safety brief. Keep your finger straight and off the trigger well. Don’t point your weapon at anything you don’t intend to shoot (muzzle awareness). Want some entertainment? Watch some trooper get careless with the direction of his muzzle and first NCO who sees him will go apeshit. Everytime I pick up a weapon my trigger finger is pointed straight and the muzzle is pointed in a safe direction. I don’t even think about it, it’s just a habit now. And God help you if you lose your weapon.
And you know what? We still have problems with bad shit happening. Negligent Discharges, or some poor fucked soul unthinkingly leaves his weapon in a porta-potty on a deployment. Despite all the training, control measures, and all the focus on gun safety. And now you want home-ec teachers to pack heat? What can possibly go wrong. 🤔
Aside from all of that, I find it incredibly shocking and depressing that here in America, supposedly a first world country, we’re even talking about arming school teachers. Is this where we are right now? Wow.