This just demonstrates a gross ignorance about what AR-15s are and are not. I can tell you that when I started shopping for a rifle, every checkbox I had was ticked off in favor of the platform. Now, it's replaced my handgun as the go to weapon for home defense. It's just flat out better in every way.

In the beginning, I wanted something that would primarily be used at the range for target shooting beyond 100 yards. I considered 22LR, but 100 yards is kind of pushing it. Not so with. 223. It's a centerline round, significantly heavier, higher velocity, and dead accurate all the way out to 400-500yd. I also didn't want to be spending a fortune on ammo. That ruled out even heavier, more powerful hunting rounds. 223 is a nice compromise between rimfire and full power rifle calibers. It's fairly affordable as a target shooting round. Especially now. 22 is really hard to find and the cost per round has skyrocketed. (Thanks Obama)

I also liked how configurable it is. Switching stocks, rail-mounted optics, bipods, all take seconds. Changing the muzzle device or even swapping a barrel is something I can do in my garage. I have installed trigger assemblies on my kitchen table. That's how easy the platform is to work with. In fact, I built my rifle from scratch with zero experience or knowledge beforehand. Started with an 80% blank, milled it out, researched and shopped for every single part, spring, and pin in it. That experience served me well because when I've had a problem, I knew what was wrong and instinctively how to fix it. That kind of build from scratch, modify it on the fly, change caliber even...that's very difficult to find in another platform.

For hunting, 223 is an excellent varmint round. But, change a barrel and you've got .300 Blackout, a competent round for hunting deer. Using the same magazines even. Another barrel and you've got a. 410 for birdshot. They make barrels for 22LR, 9mm, .50DTC. 14.5“ barrels with a permanent muzzle device, barrels of different profiles, weight, material, lengths out to 24“. Options. Dozens and dozens of options. There's also hundreds of options for stocks, grips, handguards, rails, in every color under the rainbow.

They are a phenomenally easy gun to shoot, for people of any size. Very configurable for any frame. While some might struggle with the weight or recoil of a more powerful 12ga shotgun, almost anyone can shoot an AR.

An AR holds no more bullets that literally any magazine fed firearm--including handguns. Capacity is determined purely by the magazine, not the rifle. Here in CA, we're limited to using 10 round magazines. You might argue there's no purpose for so-called "high capacity" magazines, but every single police officer would argue against you, as evident by the fact that they carry them every day while on duty and at home. You think cops find themselves facing dangerous criminals that aren't victimizing everyone else? And the average citizen doesn't have the resources, partners, body armor, or backup that your average cop has at their disposal. When a team of swat officers storm into a building to take down the one armed bad guy or crazed shooter not one goddamn person is commenting that they don't really need 30 round magazines to kill that one guy. That if they need more that 6 rounds they're a terrible shot. That they picked the AR platform because 'it looks cool'. Not because it's lightweight, maneuverable, accurate, easier to aim, low recoil, or less likely to over penetrate barriers than most handgun rounds or even buckshot.

Not really a practical reason? I'd argue there's no practical reason to own anything else. It's the best all-around, general purpose, ubiquitous firearm that is not only suitable but excels at every purpose. There's a reason they've become the most common rifle in the US.