Perhaps most Board members have never fired a weapon. However, we are exposed to TV and film examples where bullets fly hither and yon. Steven Seagal never misses when he fires, does he? On the other hand, there are any number of TV and film characters who seemingly and endlessly fire automatic weapons, but seldom hit any one. There are so many variables associated with hitting targets, up close or not.

Those of you who have had experience with an M16 know that one of those variables that was mitigated by the M16's design was the weapon's kick when a bullet is fired from it. Such kick can significantly distort the bullet's intended path. The stability of the hand grasping the weapon at discharge is a major issue. That's why law enforcement trains its students to stabilize the firearm with two hands.