CNN Panel Gets Heated in Sparring Match Over Gun Control: AR-15 ‘A Fabulous Gun’ For Women

A panel of six people who were split on the need for gun reform paid a visit to New Day to speak with Alisyn Camerota about their views.

All were strong in their convictions, but some had particularly pointed statements.

“I think we’re having a really hard time focusing in on what the real issues are,” panelist Carrie Lightfoot, who is against gun control, said. “We all want this to stop and we all want a fix, but the fix isn’t banning guns. The fix is much deeper than that.”

When Camerota asked the panel about an assault weapons ban, only two supported it, and others maintained that assault rifles are necessary for protection.

“An AR-15 should not be used as a home protection weapon,” said Scott Pappalardo, who destroyed his AR-15 in a Facebook video which went viral.

“Welcome to 1984,” panelist Jacob Engels shot back.

“Do you know what a fabulous gun that is for women?” Lightfoot added.

“It’s a fabulous gun. So is a shotgun,” Pappalardo responded.

“No, but it’s much harder to handle. Not for a woman,” Lightfoot said.

After some discussion of what the Founding Fathers intended with the Second Amendment, the panel moved onto the line between desire and necessity.

“I know why you want them. They make a lot of noise, they shoot a lot of bullets, very macho guns, very cool looking,” panelist Rick Peters, who is willing to surrender his AR-15, said. “I understand why you want one. No one can tell me why you need it.”

“We don’t have to need it,” Lightfoot said. “It’s a constitutionally protected right.”

“Those kids had a right to live,” Peters shot back.

“An AR-15 is not a military rifle. It is a regular, semi-automatic rifle that looks badass,” Lightfoot said. “That’s what it is.”

Watch above, via CNN.

[image via screengrab]

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