Letters: AR-15 a perfectly fine weapon

John Monk would have us believe that the AR-15 is a weapon of mass destruction (“Was Roof planning a bigger death spree?” June 26).

While it’s true that the military M-16 can be classified as an “assault weapon” due to its fully automatic capability, the AR-15 operates semi-automatically, meaning that each shot fired requires a pull of the trigger. It is most definitely not an assault rifle. Also, the 5.56x45 (.223 caliber) round is not particularly devastating by today’s standards. Many other calibers that are larger in diameter and higher in velocity inflict much greater damage.

And the statement that the projectiles “spin upon entering a human body” is true of virtually all rifles and handguns. Rifling has been in common use since the 19th century; its purpose is to provide a high degree of stability and accuracy.

Mr. Monk is trying to further tarnish the image of a fine weapon platform.