Walz said that the weapon that he carried into war should not be legal for civilians, or something like that anyway. The weapon he had, if he had a rifle was likely an M-16, which is capable of fully automatic. I know. I did carry one with me virtually everywhere I went in Vietnam. Also, I qualified with it.

Here’s the news. It is illegal for civilians unless the holder has a special federal license. There is a civilian rifle which resembles the M-16 and it is called the AR-15. It is strictly simi automatic. That is it is designed to fire one shot for each time the trigger is pulled. In general, they both shoot the same ammo. However, the AR-15 can be configured for other ammo.

My guess is that any sgt. maj. or equivalent would know that. If Walz doesn’t, shame on him.

On the other hand, most E-6s and above don’t carry rifles, but rather a sidearm. When I was in the Marines, that was a .45 semi-automatic pistol. It, in some form has been available to just about anyone since the early 1900s. If that is the weapon he was referring to, that is even more sad.

It is a display of ignorance or deceit… maybe both.