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In the early 70s, Beretta set out to develop a less-expensive, modern rifle that fit the NATO standard of a 5.56 chambering. So after keeping a close eye on the Colt AR-15 and then Armalite's development of the AR-18, Beretta combined attributes of both guns and created the AR 70. Beretta sold quite a few of these rifles in Indonesia and some other countries, but the gun never garnered much exposure. Despite this, it was a state-of-the-art design for its time and if found can have a hefty price tag due to the fact that they are no longer imported into the United States. For more on the Beretta AR 70 rifle, watch this "I Have This Old Gun" segment from a recent episode of American Rifleman TV.
Despite being early adopters of several semi-automatic rifles for military use, the French army took several decades to work out a standardized semi-automatic rifle for general service use. The rifle that finally came to being was the MAS-49.
"An armed society is a polite society," goes the famous quote, which is also the inspiration behind Polite Society Industries, a new suppressor manufacturer that now has a complete line available to consumers.
Iconic American firearms maker Smith & Wesson will join NRA-ILA on the road as nation's leading firearm group turns out voters ahead of the 2026 midterm.
The 2026 National Firearms Survey conducted by William English of Georgetown University estimates that armed citizens in America use their guns 2.2 million to defend themselves or others.