It is a sad thing, but not unexpected. I watched an episode of guns and ammo TV, or NRA something or other, that was expounding on the "fact that older guys need to get over their prejudice against AR platform rifles". They were discussing that they are no different than any other semi auto gun. That is true. It is also true that veterans today are familiar with and have confidence in that type of weapon, just like WW I guys did the springfield, or WWII had the Garand. There is also the video games etc today that let you rack up points for both kills in simulated combat, and even hunting situations. There is not a fast moving, competitive, high energy side to calmly smelting lead, casting a bullet, sizing and lubing it, loading it in a single stage press into a huge old case designed decades ago, taking that cartridge in a single shot weapon into the field and picking out a single animal, killing it, and eating it.
There IS that side to burning through hundreds, or even thousands of rounds, at targets and simulated bad guys. It also is more lucrative to companies to sell mass produced parts and weapons that go for $800 to 1200 a pop, with a rate of fire measured in rounds per minute rather than minutes per round, than one that sells for $250 and the owner may never buy a factory round for it, just components. I for one have not bought a factory centerfire rifle round in 20 years. I cant expect the factory to get too excited about that.
