Mass shootings have become a far too common occurrence in the United States in recent years and one weapon that’s been used in many of them has been the AR-15.

The New York SAFE Act has an assault weapons ban but you can still own New York compliant AR-15s which are AR-15s with modifications or minus cosmetic adaptations such as an adjustable stock for example.

“The SAFE Act focuses on cosmetics features and the gun instead of functionality,” says Josh Hawkins, General Manager of The Firing Pin.

Gary Pudup, a gun owner and spokesperson for New Yorkers Against Gun Violence disagrees.

“Everyone of those features increases the deadliness of those particular weapons” says Pudup, “My friends on that side of the argument, if that was the case, why do they object so much?”

Congressman Chris Collins, a Republican representing Western New York says the debate is focused on the wrong areas.

“Sometimes there is just not an easy solution. The left wants to pander to the American public and say this is about gun control, which it’s not. This is about mental health, social media, about the trouble times today we have with youth” said Collins.

Hawkins added that AR-15s can be used for hunting, competitive shooting and personal protection. 

AR-15s have been used as the primary weapon in many recent mass shooting including yesterday’s attack in Florida, last Novembers’ church shooting in Texas and October’s concert shooting in Las Vegas.