The Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22
is a
range toy/small game rifle.
Defined as per the
third definition here.
something that serves for or as if for diversion, rather than for serious practical use.
Similarly, I would call a jet ski, or a Nissan GTR, or a dirt bike a toy. None of which typically serve a serious practical use, all of which can kill you if not treated with the proper respect.
As grown adults, the assumption is we all treat all potentially dangerous objects with the proper respect at all times and do not require warning labels or politically correct terms to remind us to do so.
You we certainly free to your opinion, as am I. I am not trying to be politically correct or attach warning labels to every conceivable item, nor trying to bubble wrap people so they cannot hurt themselves.
In my state (va) i cannot hunt with a .223 caliber rifle. As a civilian then, I could argue that my ar15 is, as you put it, a range toy as it only goes to the range, and it serves no practical purpose.
Furthermore,while it is only my opinion, I feel that if you denigrate ANY firearm by calling it a toy, and referring to a dictionary definition of something that serves no practical purpose, then I fear it would be used by those in politics as fodder to place more restrictions on it. After all, if it serves no practical purpose, then you don't need it, regardless of what the second amendment says. Maybe that's a bit of a tinfoil hat, but under the circumstances, I'd rather err on the conservative side of the fence on 2A... After all, in some states, the 15-22 is considered an assault rifle (I disagree with this notion, but alas, I am neither a politician nor a lawyer). Much like my ar15, I doubt anyone would consider anything classified as an 'assault rifle' a 'toy' because it 'has no useful purpose'.
One would hope that, as adults, common sense would prevail and no firearm would ever be unintentionally wielded or used in a dangerous/deadly manner, but I can assure you that it has, and will continue to do so. I would love to live in a world and society where we weren't surrounded by people doing stupid things. Until that occurs, however, your assumption of a general 'adult common sense' is, IMHO, flawed, and some people would do better if they were bubble-wrapped.
Suffice it to say, you won't sway me, nor I you. Hopefully we can agree at the 15-22 is a kick *** firearm that doesn't require a flash suppressor (getting back on topic), but looks really cool with it on, even if it doesn't serve a particularly useful purpose (other than crown/thread protection).
Cheers!
