Stephen Gutowski FACT CHECKS David Hogg on handguns vs. an AR-15

Apparently Parkland activist David Hogg is now a gun expert:

The effective range of an AR-15 is 1600 feet for comparison your typical handgun is 75 feet if you’re shooting somebody from 1600 feet away you’re not defending yourself…

…you’re hunting.

Make the 2004 Massachusetts assault weapons ban federal law. #BanAssaultWeapons https://t.co/Dzq2UQEcZ3

— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) September 5, 2018

And now for the fact check from actual gun expert Stephen Gutowski who corrects Hogg on both the use of an AR-15 for self-defense and on hunting:

People most certainly do use the AR-15 to defend themselves and others. Here are some examples:https://t.co/Dyu2SFu9aE https://t.co/uhqkS3Otvp https://t.co/hPNR1xj4YW https://t.co/Yisit2sN9G https://t.co/6c1eapoyU9 https://t.co/K2cZCljn55 https://t.co/bLMNV9aI9D

— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) September 6, 2018

Also, the effective range of an AR-15 varies a tremendous amount based on how its set up. That doesn't really mean much when it comes to whether it's suited for defensive use. Pretty much every firearm is effective beyond the distance most self-defense encounters happen at.

— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) September 6, 2018

Additionally, most AR-15s are not set up for long-range shooting. Your average bolt-action hunting rifle tends to be chambered in a higher-caliber round with a far greater effective range than an AR-15.

— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) September 6, 2018

In fact, the AR-15 tends to be set up for close-quarters encounters. To my knowledge, it is the most popular home-defense rifle in the United States. Most AR-15s are built with the purpose of home defense in mind.

— Stephen Gutowski (@StephenGutowski) September 6, 2018

Stephen Gutowski FACT CHECKS David Hogg on handguns vs. an AR-15

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