@LukeAlmighty @rimugu It's been the standard US service rifle for many decades. On top of being a pretty good design in terms of functionality, it is simply symbolic of American small arms the same way the AK is for Russia.

@LukeAlmighty @rimugu For the government it's because it's a cheap and popular gun that's within reach of most Americans. For the people it's because it's a popular, cheap, reliable, modular, American designed, and usually American made gun with a nearly 70 year pedigree in various military and civilian applications; it's the one gun to get if you're only going to get one gun.