A dedicated gun owner gave up his AR-15-type assault rifle in disgust after the weapon was used to kill 17 people at a Florida school last week.
Ben Dickmann, 40, asked his local sheriff’s department to destroy the weapon last Friday, two days after the mass shooting close to his Fort Lauderdale home.
Campaign launched for liberal Americans to infiltrate the NRA
Sharing his decision on Facebook, he wrote: ‘This is an AR-FiveSeven, I own this rifle.
‘It’s a caliber variant of the AR-15. I am a responsible, highly trained gun owner. (I am NOT a Police Officer or Sheriff’s Deputy).
‘However I do not need this rifle.
‘No one without a law enforcement badge needs this rifle.
‘This rifle is not a “tool” I have use for. A tool, by definition makes a job/work easier.’
Ben, whose post was shared : ‘Any “job” i can think of legally needing doing can be done better by a different firearm.
‘I enjoyed shooting this rifle immensely but I don’t need it, I have other types I can shoot for the same enjoyment.
‘I have surrendered this rifle to The Broward Sheriff at the Tamarac Post.
‘I could have easily sold this rifle, but no person needs this. I will be the change I want to see in this world.
‘If our law makers will continue to close their eyes and open their wallets, I will lead by example. #outofcirculation’
Ben had earlier shared his own manifesto for change, calling for a ban on manufacturing and importation of military-style semi-automatic weapons and replacement parts.
He also tackled the thorny Second Amendment issue – highlighting that it stipulates the right to bear arms is only afforded to a ‘well regulated militia’, and not individual citizens.
Nikolas Cruz, 19, killed 17 people at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school on Valentine’s Day by firing an AR-15 at teachers and students.
He bought the weapon legally, and has since been charged with 17 counts of pre-meditated murder.
[contf] [contfnew] 
METRO
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
