There’s no shortage of opinions when it comes to firearms and the Second Amendment. We see this on full display during election season, when politicians are looking to galvanize their base or appeal to persuadable voters. This polarizing topic crescendos in the wake of a tragedy, where grandstanding pundits fight for their 15 minutes of fame with rhetoric and resolve, but rarely the facts.

You see, emotion and energy are always present when discussing guns in America, but what about the data? Instead of antidotes and hypotheticals driving conversations around public policy, shouldn’t we simply review the research first?

Recently, the Firearms Research Center (FRC) at the University of Wyoming released a “white paper” focused on AR-15s and research cited – and sometimes conducted – by their Fellows. The document, prompted by an impending decision by the Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the firearm, added levity to the conversation surrounding the highly popular and highly misunderstood rifle. The data provided, not poll-tested political talkers, should be the basis on which we craft policies to keep the American people safe from harm and tyranny.

Known for being lightweight and easy to use, the AR-15 is an incredibly popular weapon. According to a survey conducted by the Washington Post, there are roughly 20 million AR-15-style rifles in circulation. Another survey by William English of Georgetown University, cited by FRC Fellow Tim Hsaio, concludes that 30.2% of gun owners “have owned an AR-15 or similarly styled rifle.”

Despite its popularity, the AR-15 is wildly misunderstood. Given that many anti-gun politicians refer to the firearm as a “weapon of war” and craft sensational stories surrounding the raw power and carnage created by the gun, I guess the confusion surrounding it shouldn’t be all that surprising.

In the “white paper”, FRC Fellow E. Gregory Wallace, Professor of Law at Campbell University School of Law, took issue with the common mischaracterizations of AR-15 style rifles.

“Since the military does not use semiautomatic-only AR-15s precisely because they lack automatic fire capability,” said Wallace, “AR-15s are not exclusively or predominantly used in military service, nor are they otherwise reserved to the military—they’re not used at all.

Wallace continues, “As a simple factual matter, the AR-15 is not a military weapon. While the civilian AR-15 looks like a military M16 or M4, it is neither a machine gun nor does it fire as rapidly as a one. Because the civilian AR-15 lacks automatic-fire capability, the U.S. military does not use it on the battlefield.”

What about the carnage created by an AR-15? FRC Senior Fellow Dave Kopel added, “The notion that AR rifles are unusually powerful compared to other rifles is false. Wounds caused by the AR typically are not more serious or lethal than wounds caused by larger-caliber hunting rifles, shotguns, and even some powerful handguns. These are demonstrable facts, supported by genuine firearms and wound ballistics experts.”

Often frazzled by the facts, many gun control activists will ultimately demand to know “Who really needs an AR-15?”

Well, the data and research answers that question too.

A Washington Post survey found that 33% of AR-15 owners cited self-defense as the primary reason for ownership. When allowed to choose multiple answers, a survey conducted by Centiment reveals that AR-15 owners purchased their firearm for recreational target shooting (64%), home defense (62%), hunting (47%), defense outside the home (42%), and competitive shooting (27%).

For me, the existence of the AR-15 and its importance goes beyond the data. It’s part of my story.

During the year prior to the launch of my YouTube Channel (Mr. Guns N Gear), I was asleep at my new home when I was woken up by the sound of someone trying to kick in my back door. After the second “thud,” I grabbed my firearm, an AR-15 style rifle manufactured, and slowly – and methodically – made my way to the door.

As I approached the front door, I could see a man, aged 40 to 50 years old, medium build, staring through the window. He saw my firearm and me, and immediately fled on foot. No shots were fired, and no one was injured.

While my experience is unique, I’m not alone. Every year, countless Americans prevent violence by simply confronting a criminal with their AR-15 style rifle. It’s a life-saving device that must be protected at all costs.

So, as the Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of AR-15s and the 119^thCongress prepares to convene at the U.S. Capitol, let’s push for conversations surrounding our fundamental rights to be guided by data, research, and facts – not political talking points and reckless rhetoric.

When there are literal lives on the line, put the safety and well-being of the American people first.