Mikhail Kalashnikov, inventor of AK-47, dies at 94

jhn7537

JHumm
reply to post by rupertg

 

It was designed for the military, so do we not like the guy who designed the M-16 as well?


Let me ask you this... Why should i like anyone who invents a military weapon designed for killing people?

Dont have to like them, but if they didnt exist then you might not be here to make your observation

As a little tribute I stripped and deep cleaned my M70 and re stained the wooden furniture. Beautiful rifle, I enjoy owning it knowing its the weapon of choice for many revolutions out there. Have had it for years and it has never shot anyone, nor has it fired without a bullet in the chamber or without my finger being on the trigger.

However, it is a tool and most tools one way or another have been used as a weapon, the designer is not to blame but the actions of the individual should be held accountable. Would you show anger or resentment to the team that developed the Corvette if one driven by a careless driver injured or killed someone you know?

How many times throughout the last couple of years did someone in a country riddled with tyranny or injustice pick one of these rifles up and say no more? How many more times will it happen in the future?

jhn7537

JHumm
reply to post by rupertg

 

It was designed for the military, so do we not like the guy who designed the M-16 as well?

Let me ask you this... Why should i like anyone who invents a military weapon designed for killing people?

It was designed to save Soviet lives while eliminating the enemy, such is the story of most weapons that are more efficient than their predecessors. It may have been designed to kill, but it is great fun shooting at a target rather than a person. If tomorrow everyone was to wake up to a world that doesn't need military weapons anymore I would still want to go to a local gun range and shoot at targets.

reply to post by jhn7537


Who cares what the intention of an invention is. That is limiting the possibility of its uses, not to mention stymieing the free market. What is important is that there was a need for it, and someone met that need. Having that need lingering about and cold stares to the one who offers a solution is simply a child like way of looking at the situation.

In other words, a negative opinion on the guy inventing a good gun that stood the test of time, and NO opinion on the intense need for such a gun (or why it became popular) is going to be the downfall of society and exponentially larger governments (to replace the parent figures).

Not inventing the gun is not the solution and stigmatizing the inventor will only lead to a lack of inventions.

sonysasankan
reply to post by jhn7537

 

Who cares what the intention of an invention is. That is limiting the possibility of its uses, not to mention stymieing the free market. What is important is that there was a need for it, and someone met that need. Having that need lingering about and cold stares to the one who offers a solution is simply a child like way of looking at the situation.

In other words, a negative opinion on the guy inventing a good gun that stood the test of time, and NO opinion on the intense need for such a gun (or why it became popular) is going to be the downfall of society and exponentially larger governments (to replace the parent figures).

Not inventing the gun is not the solution and stigmatizing the inventor will only lead to a lack of inventions.

Would you say that Oppenheimer met a "need" of the world when he invented the A-bomb? I believe this idea can go further then Mr. Kalashnikov and could be discussed with other weapons.

JHumm
reply to post by rupertg

 

It was designed for the military, so do we not like the guy who designed the M-16 as well?

I don't like him a bit. It was Eugene Stoner, from ArmaLite. The M-16, compared to the AK, was awful. I threw mine away and picked up a captured AK to use as a personal weapon. The Skyraider was roomy enough to carry it but when we transitioned to the F-4, there was no room and it was back to the old trusty 45. The AK was rugged, reliable and the 7.62 round was half again the calibre of the M-16 round.

reply to post by jhn7537


How ironic. The inventor of a gun that has killed more people than any other, lived to the ripe old age of 94.

Mikhail Kalashnikov didn't even profit from the invention of the AK47. He was just an employee of the Soviet Union who stated “I invented a weapon to save the motherland, to save the state from fascism,” he said. “My career has been dedicated to my country.”
I don't think Kalashnikov created the AK47 so gangsters could rob banks or so people could commit mass shootings. I think he really created the AK47 as a reliable, defensive weapon because he felt his country was in serious danger. I don't think he was a bad man. I believe he saw the future of his country. Not the future of mafias and serial killers killing people. I hope you all understand my opinion.