Nothing to laugh about

With response to the question in the OP.
It's a well written post.
"The question being why are these type of rifles allowed to be sold in the first place?"

I think the proper response is why do I, the individual, allow it.
Just like I view the question as allowing other people to make their own decisions about how to best defend themselves.
Not what the legislators do.
Otherwise, the thread might descend into finger pointing in the wrong places.

Rock Hudson : "No matter what you have been told, the American people are ultimately make the decision".
IIRC in "WW III" the miniseries.