Opinion: ‘The first time I held an AR-15, I could immediately see its advantages’

Hill is the CEO of ReelCamo Girl, a community of women who have a passion for the outdoors. She lives in Poway.

Last month, the Honorable Roger T. Benitez issued a lengthy decision in the U.S. District Court case Miller v. Bonta declaring California’s assault weapons laws unconstitutional. While gun rights advocates cheered, others stoked fears of California streets being flooded with so-called “assault weapons.” But as Judge Benitez stated in his decision, “This is an average case about average guns used in average ways for average purposes.”

So what exactly is the big deal about “assault weapons”?

The pervasive message in the media is that assault weapons, particularly the popular AR-15 (which stands for ArmaLite Rifle, its original manufacturer, not assault rifle), are deadlier than your average firearm. The reality? It is a semi-automatic rifle that functions just like all semi-automatic firearms: One trigger pull equals one round fired. Best estimates conclude that semi-automatic firearms make up at least 50 percent of all firearms in the United States. Functionally, they are the same as almost all civilian-owned firearms, including revolvers, bolt-actions, lever-actions and pump-actions. One pull of its trigger results in one round fired.

The AR-15’s popularity among shooting enthusiasts comes from its ability to be modular — fully customizable from top to bottom, including stock length, barrel length, trigger style, all the way down to the firing pin. People afraid of AR-15s will tell you that its adaptability makes it deadlier for a criminal intending to cause harm. But they ignore that this is the very thing that makes it a more effective self-defense tool for self-protectors of all sizes and statures — particularly women, who, on average, are shorter, smaller and weaker than men. Its light weight and low recoil make it easier to handle, and its barrel length makes it easier to shoot more accurately than a handgun. Combined, these features make it optimal for the defense of my home and my family, particularly in the not-so-far-fetched scenario of multiple invaders.

This is my ideal defensive tool in a home invasion. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that over 1 million burglaries occur each year with people inside the home, and 26 percent of those people become the victim of a violent crime. Having access to the most effective self-defense tool in existence (a firearm), and the easiest style to use (a rifle), gives me the best fighting chance to protect myself and my children.

The first time I held an AR-15, I could immediately see its advantages. The collapsible stock meant that it could fit both me and my taller, larger husband without any permanent modifications. That adjustability allows both of us to reach the grip and trigger properly on the same firearm if needed, with a single adjustment of the stock. This feature — and other cosmetic features prohibited by the California Assault Weapons Control Act — allows me to use this firearm more easily and, more importantly, more safely.

I have struggled with finding guns that fit me, since most guns are designed for the average man’s hand. Proper fit is critical, and it’s important for each person to find what fits him or her best.

I have worked with many women who were initially intimidated by the thought of using an AR-15. They’d heard the misrepresentations of its capabilities and worried that it would be too much to handle. But when they worked up the courage to try one, they loved its ease of use and low recoil, and wondered why they hadn’t tried it sooner.

I often hear the question, “Why does anyone need an AR-15?” Women are painfully aware of the possibility of rape, assault and being seen by criminals as easy targets. But having access to one of the most effective self-defense tools allows me to breathe a little easier. The negative narrative about guns ignores the hundreds of thousands (possibly millions) of lives that they save each year.

Firearms have been nicknamed “The Great Equalizer” because they give those who are most vulnerable a fighting chance to defend their lives. Being able to train and empower women is why this lawsuit is so important to me.