Why not treat AR15s and AK47s like handguns?

[Kaleva]

In Michigan:

All handguns must be registered. Long guns like the AR15 are not.

Background checks are required for private sales of handguns. To purchase a handgun from a private seller, one must have a handgun purchase license or concealed pistol license. Both of which require a background check in order to get. You don't need either to buy a long gun from a private seller.

One cannot "borrow" a handgun registered to someone else unless the person borrowing has a CPL. There is no such restriction in regards to long guns.

To buy a handgun from an FFL dealer, one must be at least 21. The minimum age required to buy a long gun from a FFL deale or private sellerr in Michigan is 18. A person who is at least 18 but younger then 21 may purchase a handgun from a private seller but he or she has to get a handgun purchase license in order to do so.

[underpants]

1. I was ready up on ages for purchases earlier

It goes state by state but a lot of states don't allow handguns sales to people under 21. I think you make a great case/point. I know the ammosexuals will come back with technical points about how AR-15's can fire accurately like a rifle but mostly it's just a long semi-auto handgun. AK's have very little application for precision shooting. They are just pure throwing lead and never jamming.

[XRubicon]

2. Why not just ban them?

[flotsam]

3. Maybe in your home state

In mine you have a standard background check and that's it. There used to be a concealed carry permit but it is no longer required. We allow both open or concealed carry to everyone. We have never had a pistol purchase license. So essentially we do treat them the same.