View source for Colt AR-15

{{Short description|Autoloading rifle}}
{{about|the firearm produced by Colt|other firearms colloquially referred to as "AR-15"|AR-15 style rifle|the rifle of a similar name|ArmaLite AR-15|other uses|AR-15 (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-pc|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2016}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Colt AR-15
| image              = Colt AR-15 Sporter Lightweight rifle - set (8378298853).jpg
| image_size         = 300
| caption            = Complete AR-15A2 rifle set with manual, 5.56 mm ammunition and magazines
| type               = [[Semi-automatic rifle]] <br /> [[Automatic rifle]]
| designer           = [[Eugene Stoner]], [[L. James Sullivan|Jim Sullivan]], Bob Fremont
| action             = [[Gas-operated]], [[Closed bolt|closed]] [[rotating bolt]], [[Direct impingement#Stoner bolt and carrier piston system|Stoner bolt and carrier piston]]
| is_ranged          = yes
| origin             = United States
| manufacturer       = [[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt]]
| design_date        = 
| cartridge          = *[[.223 Remington]]
*[[5.56×45mm NATO]]
*[[9×19mm Parabellum]]
*[[7.62×39mm]]
*[[.222 Remington]]|
| rate               = 
| velocity           = 
| range              = ~{{convert|550|m|yd|sp=us}}
| weight             = 
| part_length        = * {{convert|20|in}} (standard)
* {{convert|16|in}} (carbine)
* {{convert|24|in}} (target)
| feed               = Issued with 5-, 10-, 20- & 30-round [[STANAG magazine]]s
| sights             = *Fixed adjustable front and rear [[iron sights]]
*Detachable carrying handle with adjustable rear iron sight assembly
*Picatinny rails, which allows the use of various scopes and sighting devices
| variants           = see [[List of Colt AR-15 & M16 rifle variants]]
| number             = 2 million +
}}

The '''Colt AR-15''' is a product line of [[Magazine (firearms)|magazine]]-fed, [[gas-operated]], [[Autoloading rifle|semi auto rifle]] manufactured by [[Colt's Manufacturing Company]] ("Colt") in many configurations.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us - Armalite Rifles|date=April 23, 2024 |url=https://armalite.com/about-us/ |access-date=August 2, 2024}}</ref> The rifle is a derivative of its predecessor, the lightweight [[ArmaLite AR-15]], an [[automatic rifle]] designed by [[Eugene Stoner]] and other engineers at [[ArmaLite]] in 1956.

Colt currently owns the ''AR-15'' trademark and uses it for its [[List of Colt AR-15 and M16 rifle variants#Numbered Colt models|line of semi-automatic AR-15 rifles]].

==History==
{{for|a more detailed list of AR-15 models|List of Colt AR-15 & M16 rifle variants#Colt civilian models}}
[[File:1973 Colt AR15 SP1.jpg|right|thumb|1973 [[Colt's Manufacturing Company|Colt]] AR-15 SP1 rifle with "slab side" lower receiver (lacking raised boss around magazine release button) and original Colt 20-round [[box magazine]]]]
[[File:Colt AR-15 on display at the NFM.jpg|right|thumb|A Colt AR-15 on display at the National Firearms Museum. This example is fitted with an early waffle-patterned 20-round magazine.]]

Due to financial problems, and limitations in terms of manpower and production capacity, ArmaLite sold the [[ArmaLite AR-15|AR-15]] design and the AR-15 [[trademark]] along with the [[ArmaLite AR-10]] to [[Colt's Manufacturing Company]] in 1959.<ref name=gundigest>{{cite web|url=http://www.gundigest.com/article/the-ar-16m16-the-rifle-that-was-never-supposed-to-be |title=AR-15/M16: The Rifle That Was Never Supposed to Be |publisher=Gun Digest |last=Bartocci |first=Christopher R. |date=July 16, 2012 |access-date=June 28, 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019023055/https://gundigest.com/gun-reviews/the-ar-16m16-the-rifle-that-was-never-supposed-to-be|archive-date=October 19, 2022}}</ref> Some of the first sales were of fully automatic Colt AR-15s to the Federation of Malaya and the United Kingdoms in 1959.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek9aXR4Mkik | title=Why you're wrong about M16 and AR-15 nomenclature, with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson | website=[[YouTube]] | date=August 21, 2024 }}</ref><ref>https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/the-complete-history-of-the-ar-15-rifle {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>  Colt started selling the semi-automatic version of the [[M16 rifle]] as the Colt AR-15 in 1964.<ref name="SAR-Zimba">{{cite web |last1=Zimba|first1=Jeff|title=The Evolution of the Black Rifle|url=http://www.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=116 |website=Small Arms Review|access-date=14 November 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111152345/https://smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=116|archive-date=November 11, 2017|quote=As early as 1963, Colt started manufacturing this "new" rifle in semiautomatic only with the civilian population and the law enforcement community in mind. Sold as the AR-15 Sporter Model SP1, it was nearly identical to the M16 with the exception of the fire control group.}}</ref><ref name=marriage>{{cite journal |author= Bob Hutton & Bob Forker |title= A Beautiful Marriage: .223 Remington and Colt's AR-15 'Sporter' |journal= Guns & Ammo |date= October 1964}}</ref><ref name="Mann2014">{{cite book|last=Mann|first=Richard A.|title=GunDigest Shooter's Guide to the AR-15|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MQw5AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA15|date=30 April 2014|publisher=Krause Publications|location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=978-1-4402-3847-5|pages=15–16}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The first mass production version was the Colt AR-15 Sporter, in [[.223 Remington]], with a 20-inch barrel, issued with 5-round magazines.<ref name=marriage/> Colt has since made many different models of AR-15 [[rifle]] and [[carbine]] models, including the AR-15, AR-15A2, AR-15A3, AR-15A4, and others.

Sale of new AR-15s in the US was banned by the [[Federal Assault Weapons Ban]] from 1994 to 2004.  Colt and others continued to sell legally compliant versions during that period.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/04/13/nyregion/shooting-holes-in-the-assault-weapons-ban-one-rifle-at-a-time.html|title=Shooting Holes in the Assault-Weapons Ban, One Rifle at a Time|last=Roane|first=Kit R.|date=1997-04-13|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-04-10|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On September 20, 2019, Colt announced that it would no longer produce the AR-15 for private use, due to market saturation. It would still produce the AR-15 for police and military units.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.faz.net/1.6394901|title="Markt übersättigt": Colt beendet Produktion von Sportgewehren|last=Heil|first=Christiane|journal=Frankfurter Allgemeine Magazin|access-date=2019-09-21|language=de|issn=0174-4909|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406100300/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/gesellschaft/kriminalitaet/colt-beendet-produktion-von-sportgewehren-16394901.html|archive-date=April 6, 2023|trans-title=Market saturated: Colt ends production of sporting guns}}</ref> By May 2020, changed market conditions encouraged Colt to resume production for sales to private users.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Keefe Report: Colt Now Shipping AR-15s|url=https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2020/6/26/the-keefe-report-colt-now-shipping-ar-15s/|access-date=2020-11-08|website=www.americanrifleman.org|language=en|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405105238/https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2020/6/26/the-keefe-report-colt-now-shipping-ar-15s/|archive-date=April 5, 2023}}</ref>

==Operating mechanism==
[[File:M16 rifle Firing FM 23-9 Fig 2-7.png|thumb|left|Diagram of an [[M16 rifle]], firing]]
The 1956 {{US Patent|2951424}} by Eugene Stoner describes the cycling mechanism used in the Armalite AR-10 rifle that is common with rifles that use the Stoner "Direct Impingement" gas operated bolt and carrier system including Colt AR-15s. The bolt carrier acts as a movable cylinder and the bolt itself acts as a piston. This mechanism is often called "[[direct impingement|direct gas impingement]]", although that is now considered to be a misconception.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kevin Muramatsu|title=Gun Digest Guide to Customizing Your AR-15|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lGSYCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA8|year=2014|publisher=Krause Publications|isbn=978-1-4402-4279-3|page=8}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The mechanism is now referred to as an "internal gas piston operating system".

Gas is tapped from the barrel as the bullet moves past a gas port located above the rifle's front sight base. The gas expands into the port and down a gas tube, located above the barrel that runs from the front sight base into the AR-15's upper receiver. Here, the gas tube protrudes into a "gas key" (bolt carrier key), which accepts the gas and funnels it into the bolt carrier.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Turner|first=Norman|date=2023-01-08|title=▷Best AR-15 Buyer's Guide 2023 - Steps to Choose Your First AR15|url=https://thegunzone.com/best-ar-15-buyers-guide/|access-date=2023-03-14|website=TheGunZone|language=en-US|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406191900/https://thegunzone.com/best-ar-15-buyers-guide/|archive-date=April 6, 2023}}</ref>

At this point, the bolt is locked into the barrel extension by locking lugs, so the expanding gas forces the bolt carrier backward a short distance. As the bolt carrier moves toward the butt of the gun, the bolt cam pin, riding in a slot on the bolt carrier, [[rotating bolt|forces the bolt to rotate and thus unlocks it]] from the barrel extension. Once the bolt is fully unlocked, it begins its rearward movement along with the bolt carrier. The bolt's rearward motion extracts the empty cartridge case from the chamber. As soon as the neck of the case clears the barrel extension, the bolt's spring-loaded ejector forces it out the ejection port in the side of the upper receiver.

Behind the bolt carrier is a plastic or metal buffer, which rests in line with a return spring. The buffer spring begins to push the bolt carrier and bolt back toward the chamber once it is compressed sufficiently. A groove machined into the upper receiver guides the bolt cam pin and prevents it and the bolt from rotating into a closed position. The bolt's locking lugs push a fresh round from the magazine as the bolt moves forward. The round is guided by feed ramps into the chamber. As the bolt's locking lugs move past the barrel extension, the cam pin twists into a pocket milled into the upper receiver. This twisting action follows the groove cut into the carrier and forces the bolt to twist and "lock" into the barrel extension.

==Features==
[[File:Colt AR-15 Sporter Lightweight rifle - upper lower break (8378298627).jpg|thumb|AR-15A2 with the upper and lower receiver opened at the front hinge]]
[[File:Colt AR-15 Sporter Lightweight rifle - upper handle (8378298701).jpg|thumb|The AR-15A2's most distinctive ergonomic feature is the carrying handle and rear sight assembly on top of the receiver.]]

===Upper receivers===
The upper receiver incorporates the hand guard, the charging handle, the forward assist, the gas operating system, the barrel, the bolt and bolt carrier assembly. AR-15s employ a modular design. Thus one upper receiver can quickly and easily be substituted for another. Upper [[Receiver (firearms)|receivers]] are available with barrels of different weights, lengths, calibers, and rail systems with various sights and accessories. The standard AR-15 rifle uses a {{convert|20|in|adj=on}} barrel. Although, both shorter {{convert|16|in|adj=on}} carbine barrels and longer {{convert|24|in|adj=on}} target barrels are also available.

Early models had barrels with a 1:12 [[Rifling|rate of twist]] for the original .223 Remington, {{convert|55|gr|adj=on}} bullets. Current models have barrels with a 1:9 or 1:7 twist rate for the [[5.56×45mm NATO]], {{convert|62|gr|adj=on}} bullets.

===Lower receivers===
The lower receiver incorporates the magazine well, the pistol grip, the [[Stock (firearms)|buttstock]], the buffer and the buffer spring. The lower receiver also contains the trigger, disconnector, hammer and fire selector (collectively known as the [[fire control group]]). Full-sized rifles use a fixed buttstock, while carbines generally use an adjustable telescoping buttstock.

The early commercial SP-1 AR-15s used a pair of {{convert|0.250|in|adj=on}} diameter receiver push pins, identical to those found on the military rifles. In 1966 the company replaced the front pin with a paired nut and screw hinge using a {{convert|0.315|in|mm|adj=mid|-diameter}} pin to prevent shooters from being able to change receivers with military rifles or competitor rifles without the use of an adapter. They resumed production with the smaller and standardized 0.250-inch pin in the mid-1990s.<ref name="Sweeney1999">{{cite book|last=Sweeney|first=Patrick|title=Gunsmithing - Rifles|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Eul8bA4KSCcC&pg=PA290|date=1 October 1999|publisher=Gun Digest Books|location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=0-87341-665-1|page=290}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Sights===
The AR-15's most distinctive ergonomic feature is the carrying handle and rear sight assembly on top of the receiver. This is a by-product of the original [[ArmaLite]] design, where the carry handle served to protect the charging handle.<ref name=SAOW2>{{Cite book |last=Ezell |first=Edward Clinton |title= Small Arms of the World |year= 1983 |publisher= Stackpole Books |location=New York |isbn=978-0-88029-601-4 |pages=746–762|url=https://archive.org/details/smallarmsofworld0000ezel_12ed}}</ref> As the line of sight is {{cvt|2.5|in|1}} over the bore, the AR-15 has an inherent [[Parallax#In gunfire|parallax]] problem. At closer ranges (typically inside 15–20 meters), the shooter must compensate by aiming high to place shots where desired. The standard AR-15 rifle has a {{convert|500|mm|adj=on|2|abbr=in}} sight radius.<ref name=archive_mil>{{cite web |url=http://www.colt.com/mil/M16_2.asp |title=M16 5.56mm Rifle |access-date=2012-10-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616211557/http://www.colt.com/mil/M16_2.asp |archive-date=June 16, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}. colt.com. Retrieved on 8 October 2011.</ref> The AR-15 uses an L-type flip, aperture rear sight and it is adjustable with two settings, 0 to 300 meters and 300 to 400 meters.<ref name=archive.org>{{Cite book|last=United States Government (ARMY)|url=http://archive.org/details/OperatorsManualForM16M16a1|title=Operator's Manual For M16, M16A1|language=English}}</ref> The front sight is a post adjustable for elevation. The rear sight can be adjusted for windage. The sights can be adjusted with a bullet tip or pointed tool. The AR-15 can also mount a scope on the carrying handle. With the advent of the AR-15A2, a new fully adjustable rear sight was added, allowing the rear sight to be dialed in for specific range settings between 300 and 800 meters and to allow windage adjustments without the need of a tool or cartridge.<ref name="Venola, Richard 2005">Venola, Richard (2005). "What a Long Strange Trip It's Been". Book of the AR-15 1 (2): 6–18.</ref> Current versions such as AR-15A4 have a detachable carrying handle and use [[Picatinny rail]]s, which allows for the use of various scopes and sighting devices.

===Muzzle devices===
Colt AR-15 rifles most often have a barrel threaded in {{frac|1|2}}″-28 threads to incorporate the use of a muzzle device such as a [[flash suppressor]], [[sound suppressor]] or [[muzzle brake]]. The initial design, the "duckbill," had three tines or prongs and was prone to breakage and getting entangled in vegetation. The design was later changed to close the end to avoid this problem. Eventually, on the A2 version of the rifle, the bottom port was closed to reduce muzzle climb and prevent dust from rising when the rifle was fired in the prone position.<ref name="Wieland2011">{{cite book|last=Wieland|first=Terry |title=Gun Digest Book of Classic American Combat Rifles|date=November 22, 2011|publisher=Krause Publications|location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=978-1-4402-3017-2|page=100}}</ref> For these reasons, the US military declared this muzzle device a compensator, but it is more commonly known as the "GI", "A2", or "Birdcage" muzzle device.<ref name="Crawford2003">{{cite book|author=Steve Crawford|title=Twenty First Century Small Arms: The World's Great Infantry Weapons|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z7nW8LpDOBoC&pg=PA85|access-date=May 28, 2013|year=2003|publisher=Zenith Imprint|isbn=978-0-7603-1503-3|pages=85–86}}</ref> The standard AR15 muzzle device conforms to the STANAG dimensional requirements for firing [[22 mm grenade|22 mm rifle grenades]].

===Magazines===
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2024}}
The Colt AR-15 uses 20- or 30-round staggered-column [[STANAG magazine|detachable box magazines]]. Low-capacity 5- or 10-round magazines are also available to comply with legal restrictions, for [[hunting]], for benchrest shooting or where a larger magazine can be inconvenient.

=== Comparison to military versions ===
The primary distinction between civilian semi-automatic rifles and military models is [[select fire]]. Military rifles were produced with firing modes, [[Semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic fire]] and either fully [[Automatic firearm|automatic fire]] mode or [[Burst mode (weapons)|burst fire]] mode, in which the rifle fires three rounds in succession when the trigger is depressed. Most components are interchangeable between semi-auto and select fire rifles including magazines, sights, upper receiver, barrels and accessories.<ref name=gundigest/><ref>{{cite book|last1=Zimba|first1=Jeff|title=The Evolution of the Black Rifle|date=2014|publisher=Prepper Press|isbn=978-0692317266}}</ref> The military [[M4 carbine]] typically uses a {{convert|14.5|in|adj=on}} barrel. Civilian rifles commonly have 16-inch or longer barrels to comply with the [[National Firearms Act]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Muramatsu|first1=Kevin|title=Gun Digest Guide to Customizing Your AR-15|date=2014|publisher=F+W Media, Inc|isbn=978-1440242793}}</ref>

In order to prevent a civilian semi-automatic AR-15 from being readily converted for use with the select fire components, Colt changed a number of features. Parts changed include the lower receiver, bolt carrier, hammer, trigger, disconnector, and safety/mode selector. The semi-automatic bolt carrier has a longer lightening slot to prevent the bolt's engagement with an automatic sear. Due to a decrease in mass the buffer spring is heavier. On the select fire version, the hammer has an extra spur which interacts with the additional auto-sear that holds it back until the bolt carrier group is fully in battery, when automatic fire is selected.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hanks|first1=D. A.|title=Workbench AR-15 Project|date=2004|publisher=Paladin Press|isbn=1610048466}}</ref> Using a portion of the select fire parts in a semi-automatic rifle will not enable a select fire option.<ref name="Leghorn">{{cite web|last1=Leghorn|first1=Nick|title=Ask Foghorn: What's the Difference Between a Full Auto and Semi-Auto Only AR-15 Bolt Carrier?|url=http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/06/foghorn/ask-foghorn-whats-difference-between-full-auto-semi-auto-only-ar-15-bolt-carrier/|website=The Truth About Guns|date=June 27, 2012|publisher=THETRUTHABOUTGUNS.COM|access-date=March 6, 2018|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711032652/http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/06/foghorn/ask-foghorn-whats-difference-between-full-auto-semi-auto-only-ar-15-bolt-carrier|archive-date=July 11, 2017}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=October 2024}} As designed by Colt the pins supporting the semi-auto trigger and hammer in the lower receiver are larger than those used in the military rifle to prevent interchangeability between semi-automatic and select fire components.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sweeney|first1=Patrick|title=Gunsmithing the Ar-15, the Bench Manual|date=2016|publisher=F+W Media, Inc|isbn=978-1440246609}}</ref>

==AR-15 style rifle==
{{main|AR-15 style rifle}}
After Colt's patents expired in 1977,<ref>{{cite book|last=Zimba|first=Jeff|title=The Evolution of the Black Rifle: 20 Years of Upgrades, Options, and Accessories|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bCFjCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT10|year=2014|publisher=Prepper Press|isbn=978-0-692-31726-6|page=10}}</ref> other manufacturers began to copy the design of the Colt AR-15. The term "AR-15" is a Colt registered trademark which it uses only to refer to its line of semi-automatic rifles. Other manufacturers marketed generic AR-15s under other designations, frequently referred to as AR-15s, as are some rifles and carbines not based on the AR-15 design.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-year-in-nine-objects|title=The Year in Nine Objects|last=Walker|first=Rob|author-link=Rob Walker (journalist)|date=2016-12-30|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|access-date=2017-11-06|issn=0028-792X|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406100351/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/the-year-in-nine-objects|archive-date=April 6, 2023}}</ref>

AR-15 style rifles are available in a wide range of configurations and [[Caliber|calibers]] from a large number of manufacturers. These configurations range from standard full-size rifles with 20-inch barrels, to short carbine-length models with 16-inch barrels, adjustable length stocks and optical sights, to long range target models with 24-inch barrels, bipods and high-powered scopes. These rifles may also have [[Gas-operated reloading#Short-stroke fixed|short-stroke gas piston system]], forgoing the direct gas system standard in AR-15 rifles. These calibers include 5.56×45mm NATO, [[5.7×28mm]], [[6.8mm Remington SPC]], [[.300 Blackout]], [[9×19mm Parabellum]] and [[.458 SOCOM]] to name a few.<ref>U.S. Military Small Arms Ammunition Failures and Solutions, GK Roberts, NDIA Dallas, TX, May 21, 2008 {{cite web |url=http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008Intl/Roberts.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-02-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628234759/http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008Intl/Roberts.pdf |archive-date=June 28, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>[http://archives.gunsandammo.com/content/evolution-ar Evolution of an AR | Gear | Guns & Ammo] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110915075030/http://archives.gunsandammo.com/content/evolution-ar |date=September 15, 2011 }}. Archives.gunsandammo.com (August 29, 2011). Retrieved on 2011-09-27.</ref>

==Use in mass shootings==
{{For|the usage of AR-15 style rifles in general in mass shootings|AR-15 style rifle#Crime and mass shootings}}
<!-- Consensus for inclusion of Port Arthur Massacre may be found at [[Talk:Colt_AR-15#RfC%3A_Port_Arthur_Massacre]]. Do not remove without discussion. -->From April 28 to 29, 1996, [[Martin Bryant]] killed 35 and injured 23 in the [[Port Arthur massacre (Australia)|Port Arthur massacre]], during which he used a Colt AR-15 and a [[L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle|L1A1 SLR]] chambered in [[.308 Winchester]] . It was the worst mass shooting in modern Australian history and resulted in the 1996 [[National Firearms Agreement]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/BN/0708/FirearmsAustralia |title=Firearms in Australia: a guide to electronic resources |date=9 August 2007 |website=aph.gov.au |publisher=Commonwealth of Australia |access-date=4 April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/australia/2017-10-13/how-australia-passed-gun-control |title=How Australia Passed Gun Control: The Port Arthur Massacre and Beyond |date=October 13, 2017 |website=[[Foreign Affairs]] |access-date=18 February 2018|last1=Breiding |first1=R. James |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323120352/https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/australia/2017-10-13/how-australia-passed-gun-control|archive-date=March 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/15/it-took-one-massacre-how-australia-made-gun-control-happen-after-port-arthur|title=It took one massacre: how Australia embraced gun control after Port Arthur|first1= Calla |last1=Wahlquist |date=14 March 2016 |work=The Guardian|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511234035/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/15/it-took-one-massacre-how-australia-made-gun-control-happen-after-port-arthur|archive-date=May 11, 2023}}</ref>

==Legality==
The Colt AR-15 is banned by name in California with a list of additional AR-style and AK-style firearms in the ''[[Kasler v. Lockyer]]'' Assault Weapons List. This list deems the Colt AR-15, as well as the [[ArmaLite|Armalite]] AR-15, [[Bushmaster XM-15]], [[DPMS Panther Arms|DPMS Panther]], and many other AR-pattern rifles as [[assault weapon]]s by name, thus illegal to own/possess in the state of California.<ref>[https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/infobuls/kaslist.pdf Kasler v. Lockyer Assault Weapon List] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20230325133454/https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/infobuls/kaslist.pdf Archive])</ref>

New Jersey passed its own [[Assault weapons legislation in the United States#New Jersey|assault weapon ban]] in 1990, becoming the second state to ban the firearm by name after California. New Jersey's ban also included any firearm with similar functional or cosmetic features, and many toys and imitations that are aesthetically similar.<ref>{{cite act |url = https://repo.njstatelib.org/bitstream/handle/10929.1/10175/L1990c32.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |url-status=live |title = New Jersey Assault Weapon Ban of 1990 (state archive) |language = en |date = {{date|1990-05-30|mdy}} ||access-date= 2023-03-27|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327051535/https://repo.njstatelib.org/bitstream/handle/10929.1/10175/L1990c32.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|archive-date=March 27, 2023}}</ref> This legislation is still standing as of March 2023 (with additions to the ban over time).

Connecticut passed its original assault weapon ban in 1993, becoming the third state to ban the firearm by name.<ref>https://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/rpt/2013-R-0241.htm</ref>

The Federal Assault Weapons Ban was passed by [[United States Congress|Congress]] on August 25, 1994, largely mirroring the more restrictive aspects of the legislation found in the three preceding state-level bans. This was a 10-year ban on many firearms by name, including the Colt AR-15. The ban expired on September 13, 2004, in accordance with its sunset clause (which required satisfactory evidence of a positive impact on crime for renewal of the ban).

While the aforementioned federal ban was still active, four states followed suit with assault weapon bans of their own (including Maryland).<ref>{{cite web |title=Regulated Firearms |url=https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Documents/Regulated%20Firearms.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150726143030/http://mdsp.maryland.gov/Documents/Regulated%20Firearms.pdf |archive-date=2015-07-26 |access-date=April 21, 2022 |publisher=[[Maryland State Police]]}}</ref> One state enacted this legislation after the federal ban's expiry. Two states have also enacted restrictions on ownership without specific bans thereof.

[[Washington, D.C.]], also has an effective ban on the ownership and possession of the Colt AR-15.<ref>{{Cite web |title=General Requirements for Firearms Registration {{!}} mpdc |url=https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/general-requirements-firearms-registration |access-date=2025-01-02 |website=mpdc.dc.gov}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[ArmaLite AR-18]]
* [[CAR-15]]
* [[Colt Automatic Rifle]]
* [[Smith & Wesson M&P15]]
* [[Roberti–Roos Assault Weapons Control Act of 1989]]
* [[Ruger AR-556]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{Refbegin}}
* Stevens, R. Blake and Edward C. Ezell. ''The Black Rifle M16 Retrospective''. Enhanced second printing. Cobourg, Ontario, Canada: Collector Grade Publications Incorporated, 1994. {{ISBN|0-88935-115-5}}.
* Bartocci, Christopher R. ''Black Rifle II The M16 Into the 21st Century''. Cobourg, Ontario, Canada: Collector Grade Publications Incorporated, 2004. {{ISBN|0-88935-348-4}}.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline|Colt AR-15}}

{{wikiquote-inline}}

{{ArmaLite AR-10 derivatives}}
{{Colt's Manufacturing Company}}

[[Category:ArmaLite AR-10 derivatives]]
[[Category:Colt rifles]]
[[Category:5.56 mm firearms]]
[[Category:5.56×45mm NATO semi-automatic rifles]]
[[Category:Semi-automatic rifles of the United States]]
[[Category:AR-15 style rifles]]
[[Category:Gas-operated firearms]]