Maine shooting: All about the AR-15 rifle that was worn by Republicans as a symbol of right to bear arms

Maine shooter used an AR-15 rifle to kill 22, now it has reignited the gun control debate.

Maine police along with the FBI are on the lookout for Maine shooter, identified as Robert Card who shot dead 22 people at the bowling alley and a bar. He had recently been admitted to a mental health facility. The police statement mentions that Card claimed he heard voices and had threatened to carry out a shooting at a military training base in Maine.

Earlier this year few Republican members of Congress had worn controversial new pins on their lapels in the shape of miniature AR-15 rifles(X)

The Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office has released images of the suspect, who was spotted with a semi-automatic rifle, possibly the AR-15. This rifle is infamously known for its use in various mass shootings across the United States, due to its lightweight design and ease of use​.

Originating from the military design of the M16 rifle, the AR-15 has become a civilian variant known for its high velocity, accuracy, and the capability of carrying detachable magazines with a significant number of rounds. Its design allows for rapid firing, a feature that unfortunately makes it a weapon of choice in mass shootings. Over the years, the AR-15 has become emblematic of the fierce debate over gun control in the United States.

This tragic event brings forth once again the haunting reality of gun violence and the ease with which lethal firearms can be used to perpetrate horrifying acts of violence. The aftermath of the Lewiston shooting leaves a community in mourning and a nation grappling with the call for more stringent gun control measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.

AR-15 images during the Maine shooting has brought back several dark images of Gun violence in America and also reignited the call for gun control.

After the shooting several Democrats are calling out the Republicans for wearing the AR-15 pins as a symbol to support gun culture in the country. Earlier this year few Republican members of Congress had worn controversial new pins on their lapels in the shape of miniature AR-15 rifles. They claimed it to be symbols of their commitment to the Second Amendment and Americans’ right to bear arms.

Many on social media are calling out how it's so easy to buy an AR-15, a semi-automatic weapon which accepts high-capacity magazines.