Here are a couple spectacular quotes regarding the hysteria over the AR-15.

For all the hype, an AR-15 is really just a glorified .223 rifle. It is not a "machine gun;" it is not "automatic"; it does not "spray bullets"; it is not a "weapon of war." Indeed, it is not functionally any different from a host of other, similar, guns that are not black. It is much, much less powerful than are almost all hunting rifles.

And:

"A savvy criminal wishing to do maximum damage in an enclosed space will not turn to an AR-15, but to a much more lethal (and intimidating) shotgun."

Read the rest at National Review.