U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaks during a news conference about gun legislation on Capitol Hill in Washington, Oct. 4, 2017. (Associated Press)
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein has drawn the ire of the National Rifle Association over claims that the AR-15 – which the group calls “America’s rifle” – is not “in common use.”
In a statement[1] Friday, the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action called into question the California Democrat's assertions about the weapon and said the rifle has gained popularity in recent years.
The group cited figures from the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The firearms industry trade group calculated that between 1996-2016 more than 16 million AR-15 and AK-pattern rifles have been available for sale in the U.S.
The gun rights group went on to accuse Feinstein of distorting facts[2] in what it described as the senator's ongoing effort to limit Second Amendment gun rights.
“Needless to say, there is nothing 'reasonable' or moderate about banning what is literally the most popular class of rifles in America.”
- NRA's Institute for Legislative Action
“Needless to say, there is nothing 'reasonable' or moderate about banning what is literally the most popular class of rifles in America,” the NRA-ILA wrote.
Feinstein’s claim came earlier this month during the second day of confirmation proceedings[3] for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Feinstein, the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which will determine Kavanaugh's fate, questioned him on his opinion of the constitutionality of bans on
