[Disambiguator]

AR-15s are scary because they’re not scary.

They are:

Ergonomic
Easy to train on
Lightweight (until you accessorize the crap out them)
Easily adjustable for different size shooters
When chambered in 5.56, unintimidating to shoot
Modular
Easy to maintain
Inexpensive
Blessed with a large aftermarket so you can build one just how you like it

From a civilian perspective, what’s not to like?

Leftist totalitarians hate them for these reasons.

[monkeyshine]

Your AR-15 is useless against nuclear bombs, I mean c’mon man!

[Phlyer]

Leftist totalitarians hate them for these reasons.

Exactly, and on multiple levels.

People who actually shoot them find they like shooting. It's not scary (when done safely, and with the safety 'built in' by the way they are taught) because the recoil is light and it's very ergonomic which 'feels' comfortable from the start. This is why I start teaching someone to shoot with a heavy barrel .22LR target pistol, not a lightweight .357Mag revolver before moving on even to an AR-15.

On the other hand, it's empowering because you realize that you truly *can* control real firepower instead of just cowering in your cave and hoping the bad guys go away. It gives you both confidence and a sense of responsibility because you can no longer just say, "Defending myself is too hard (and dangerous) so I must leave it to someone else."

From a totalitarian perspective, what's not to hate?