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History Section

This section starts right off the bat with the sale of Armalite and then throws in "something something M16". A reader unfamiliar with the subject has no idea what's beings said here. Armalite's history of the development of the AR should be included here as well as to how and why the M16 and the AR are being compared to each other. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.42.169.5 ( talk) 22:31, 18 May 2020 (UTC) reply

RfC: Port Arthur Massacre

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.


Should the Port Arthur Massacre be mentioned in this article? – dlthewave 21:56, 6 April 2018 (UTC) reply

The following section was recently challenged:

Following the use of a Colt AR-15 SP1 Carbine in the Port Arthur massacre, the National Firearms Programme Implementation Act 1996 was enacted in Australia, restricting the private ownership of high capacity semi-automatic rifles. [1] [2] [3]

References

  1. ^ "Firearms in Australia: a guide to electronic resources". aph.gov.au. Commonwealth of Australia. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  2. ^ "How Australia Passed Gun Control: The Port Arthur Massacre and Beyond". Foreign Affairs. October 13, 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  3. ^ Wahlquist, Calla (14 March 2016). "It took one massacre: how Australia embraced gun control after Port Arthur". The Guardian.

Survey options

  • Support - Include the Port Arthur Massacre. Please specify whether you support the text as written, a different version or something else such as a "See also" link.
  • Oppose - Do not mention the Port Arthur Massacre at all.

Straw Poll

  • Oppose - Do not mention the Port Arthur Massacre at all... Not this again. For all the reasons stated in previous discussions. -- RAF910 ( talk) 05:34, 7 April 2018 (UTC) reply
"Not this again." That's not much of an argument. Not all of us have sat here spending our lives reading old arguments. Sounds much like "I don't like it." Please elaborate. HiLo48 ( talk) 01:01, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
I think "please elaborate" is sufficient, no? There's no need for insults. - theWOLFchild 22:33, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
As someone who experienced some personal impact from the Port Arthur Massacre, I felt insulted by someone implying it wasn't important, with no better explanation than "Not this again." HiLo48 ( talk) 08:03, 9 April 2018 (UTC) reply
First let me say that, sincerely, that I've persinally seen the tragic effects a mass-shooting has collaterally and I'm sorry that you had to experience that. But you have to know that RAF910, (or I), couldn't have known that, and certainly weren't in any way trying to dismiss your feelings on this. The "Not this again" comment isn't the only explanation, though. If you'd been following this issue, you'd see that RAF910 is coming from a position that this topic has already been discussed, both recently and at length. (I don't know the details, I just seen his other comments). But that aside, we have to try and keep our personal feelings from affecting our editing, hence the reason we have NPOV for articles and NPA for talk pages. I'm sure you agree with that. Cheers. - theWOLFchild 08:24, 9 April 2018 (UTC) reply
off topic comments

I restored the comment; please don't clerk discussions.-- K.e.coffman ( talk) 00:24, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply

Don't want to see this derailed any further. Please see your talk page. Thank you - theWOLFchild 04:47, 12 April 2018 (UTC) reply
HiLo48 - That's an interesting turn. The first time around, your only response was to explain the comment, not claim it was something different. I replied and hoped that was the end of it. But now after some edits, you are re-instating it. I know if someone claimed I "spent my life sitting here reading old arguments", with multiple underlying insulting contexts, I would certainly take offence. But since the comment was directed at RAF910 and not me, I won't comment on this any further and leave it be. - theWOLFchild 16:55, 12 April 2018 (UTC) reply
I did not claim someone else "spent my life sitting here reading old arguments". I simply said that I (and I guessed some others) didn't. Please don't read more into my comments than the words I actually use. I try to choose them carefully. HiLo48 ( talk) 22:44, 12 April 2018 (UTC) reply
I merged the side conversation into the collapsible area and put the responses in chrono order. No need to get this off-topic any further. Please see my Talk page. -- K.e.coffman ( talk) 02:00, 14 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support proposed text as written; no reason to oppose this sourced content. Geogene ( talk) 19:06, 7 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support - Per WP:Firearms criminal use this is a significant crime that clearly had an impact on the laws of Australia and on the gun debate in the US. But, I do think a strong case against inclusion can be made because, for all the times I've seen Port Arthur and the subsequent prohibition on semi-automatic rifles mentioned in context of the US gun control debate, I've wasn't even aware that the rifle in question was a Colt AR-15 (or an AR-15 of any type). So in that regard I would say a strong argument can be made that WP:WEIGHT rejects inclusion because, in context of the Colt brand AR-15 the crime seems to have had little to no impact even if the broader impact was VERY significant. Ultimately I'm torn on the matter but feel that this is one of the few cases where the significance of the legal changes after the crime are such that inclusion is warranted. Springee ( talk) 19:37, 7 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Possibly your unawareness of the brand of the weapon was due to a lack of previous mention. Is that a lack which ought to be fixed? Or is the lack an indication of non-significance? I would argue that being a semiautomatic assualt-style (i.e., "AR-15") model is significant, and warrants mention. But perhaps the brand warrants only a footnote? ♦  J. Johnson (JJ) ( talk) 21:12, 9 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Supportper Springee. Signficant crime, significant effect on laws, still impacting the debate on the otehr side of the world. Legacypac ( talk) 23:13, 7 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose the sources about the shooting only mention the type of rifle in passing, and sources about the rifle do not mention the shooting. The rifle might be notable to the shooting, but I don't think the shooting is notable to the rifle. This is not like the case of US mass shootings in the AR-15 type rifle article, where inclusion is supported by sources discussing in detail how the weapons affect and are affected by the shootings. Red Rock Canyon ( talk) 00:17, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose I agree with Red Rock Canyon above; there is good reason to avoid lending undue weight to an event which has had so little effect on the subject of this article. The Colt AR-15 is important to Port Author and as such warrants mention in that article, the reverse is not the case. Syr74 ( talk) 18:30, 12 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support per Springee. -- Tom (LT) ( talk) 01:33, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose per Red Rock Canyon.note- found about this RfC because of a related AN/I thread.-- Dlohcierekim ( talk) 07:40, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support - That an incident involving this model got the whole class banned in Australia seems very much worth mentioning. Support the sentence as previously, plus maybe more. The article lead is too short anyway. Johnbod ( talk) 11:18, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support This incident was a key element in the development of Australia's gun laws, being used now by many as an example the USA could learn from. Clearly significant. HiLo48 ( talk) 11:25, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Comment #1 - Not all of the "support" !votes have specified; "whether you support the text as written, a different version or something else such as a "See also" link" ...as requested in the RfC OP.
    FYI. - theWOLFchild 22:33, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support - for the for the text as written and no more. Cavalryman V31 ( talk) 02:01, 9 April 2018 (UTC). reply
  • Question - where in the listed sources does it say Colt AR-15 SP1 Carbine ? The first source lists no model, the second only a Colt AR-15 and the third only an AR-15. Cavalryman V31 ( talk) 02:01, 9 April 2018 (UTC). reply
  • Support Gun laws directly involving this gun should be mentioned, such as the U.S. law mentioned in the lede. There should be a section in the article on gun laws relating to AR-15. First Light ( talk) 03:36, 9 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Gun laws related to the AR-15 doesn't sound like a "Colt AR-15 (TM)" subject but rather something that may be related to AR-15 style rifle which is the article where the general AR-15 type rifle is covered and includes discussions of AR-15's and the media discussions about the rifles after a number of mass shootings. Springee ( talk) 03:41, 9 April 2018 (UTC) reply
But a Colt AR-15 SP1 Carbine was used in the Port Arthur incident, no? A new gun law was passed based on that, no? The massacre should be mentioned here also, imo, not just the new gun law based on it. First Light ( talk) 15:56, 9 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support The Port Arthur incident was a key to changing Australia's gun laws. This weapon played a vital role. Clearly significant. CamV8 ( talk) 13:33, 9 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support of course; significant event and well sourced. Not discussing stuff like this would be like omitting birth defects from the thalidomide article (a drug that is very, very useful) and the way that those birth defects led to changes in federal law about drug testing. Jytdog ( talk) 23:20, 9 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose - a whole section in AR15 just for this event is going WP:OFFTOPIC with prominence far beyond due WP:WEIGHT. I believe this and similar have had prior discussions which ended with this article should not cover these as part of its content. Note a See Also would not be part of this article so is an 'Oppose' -- but might be allowed by prior discussions. (Prior discussions like this seem to be at recent Village pump RFC, this article Archive 3 twice, and Archive 2 once ?) Cheers Markbassett ( talk) 00:50, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support - clearly significant and well sourced. Boggles the mind how anyone could think a short mention of this highly significant event would be "undue" - that's simply unsupported by policy. Neutrality talk 03:14, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Refer to WP:UNDUE. A zillion articles on AR15 where 99%+ do not even mention this event is how the prominence of a whole section and amount of content here is WP:UNDUE. Even at the article about the event or about the law the gun would get minor or no mention. Markbassett ( talk) 02:17, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
If the gun articles you're talking about are in sporting magazines, then I wouldn't expect them to talk about this, because they're geared toward a specific audience and a very specific subject matter. Guns and Ammo famously dismissed an editor a few years ago for infuriating their readership by writing an editorial in favor of some form of gun regulation [1], which shows that while they are probably reliable for some things, their failure to discuss mass shootings isn't surprising or meaningful. But not everything you'll find written about AR-15s is in sporting magazines. [2] The goal here is to represent all significant points of view found in reliable sources, in proportion to their prevalence. That begins with the gun's history and operation, but it doesn't end there. Geogene ( talk) 02:38, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Geogene - no, all sources or specifically BBC.com and WashingtonPost.com have less than 1% of AR15 articles or mentions also mentioning Port Arthur. Even if I allowed Port Arthur Texas. Markbassett ( talk) 00:37, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support Clearly signifiant; proposed text as written; and moving forward, needs appropriate additions, if required. scope_creep ( talk) 10:44, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support - Looks like the oppose opinion (as expressed by User:Dlohcierekim, User:Syr74 & User:Red Rock Canyon) is that we shouldn't mention the factoid, b/c sources only give the factoid passing mention. It seems to me that the proposed wording is basically "passing mention" to the Port Author Massacre. I don't know why we'd say the AR-15 deserves passing mention in the context of the massacre but not vice versa. The massacre seems like one of the most notable global events that the AR-15 has been involved in. It doesn't seem undue to mention it. NickCT ( talk) 13:49, 12 April 2018 (UTC) reply
@ User:NickCT My question here would be, if this is obviously important for inclusion within this article because the opposite is true, then why wouldn't scholastically acceptable tomes typically include Port Author under any AR-15 related text but would find it reasonable to include the Colt AR-15 as a component within an entry on the Port Author Massacre itself? The reason is obvious and simple, the subject of the Colt AR-15 article is specifically the AR-15, it should obviously be included within the text of any entries covering the Port Author Massacre as those would be incomplete without it, but including the Port Author Massacre within the Colt AR-15 article is realistically pointless and serves primarily to polarize and give a poor impression of Wikipedia. You don't actually need to include Port Author in the Colt AR-15 article for people to be able to easily find that information, and to do so in every instance where this approach is plausible would and does create duplicity on a scale that is staggering, so why do it? This is a big part of the reason why scholars will never accept Wikipedia as a credible source on the whole as, despite what are generally good intentions, we don't often enough avoid the appearance of bias. Wikipedia is not and never will be Encyclopedia Britannica online, and it shouldn't be, but I had hoped that it would become more scholarly over time and bring truly credible, relevant information to the masses. On the other side of that equation, Wikipedia most definitely should not be a larger, more poorly worded version of tabloid/pop news websites the Mirror either, but it seems as though we are leaning a good deal more toward the tabloid and pop news end of the spectrum than the credible information end of the same. The intentions are good, but the results are often unfortunate. Syr74 ( talk) 18:48, 12 April 2018 (UTC) reply
@ Syr74: - Scholars don't accept WP cause they're generally jealous that they no longer have a monopoly on knowledge.
I sympathize with your point, but I don't feel like inclusion is unscholarly or necessarily a result of biases. Speaking directly to your point re "why wouldn't scholastically acceptable tomes typically include Port Author under any AR-15 related text"; how many references can you point to which actually cover the "History" of the AR-15? I think if we collected a set of sources which specifically cover the history of the AR-15, you probably would find that some reasonable number of them mention the massacre.
And at the end of the day, we are discussing a single sentence here, right? Making WP:WEIGHT arguments over a single sentence is rarely convincing unless you're talking about the most trivial minutia (which I don't think this is).
For the record, I usually take a moderate stance on gun control (from an American standpoint at least, which is probably pro-gun from a European standpoint). NickCT ( talk) 19:14, 13 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support because of change in national gun law, but I don't think it needs to be an entire section. A one sentence addition to the AR-15 style rifle section seems fine. Seraphim System ( talk) 04:46, 19 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose per Red Rock Canyon. L293D (  •  ) 02:45, 21 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support clearly a major event that influenced a huge change in large country's firearms regulations. Pmsyyz ( talk) 17:02, 27 April 2018 (UTC) reply

Threaded Discussion

I think that the voting options here are problematic. Support with a possible caveat to include a link isn't an option I'm comfortable with for reasons I suspect are clear. As such, I am forced to vote with a simple oppose. Syr74 ( talk) 01:13, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply

The intent is that editors will explain the level of coverage they feel is appropriate. Since this isn't a vote, whoever closes the discussion will gauge the consensus based on these comments. I want to avoid a situation in which someone !votes "oppose" just because they have a minor quibble with the wording. – dlthewave 01:58, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
While I don't doubt that the intent is good here, the layout itself is short-sighted in my opinion and absolutely gives the appearance of a bias toward the support side of the argument. Even though this is not a scholastic article we can learn something from that well developed format, which is that the question should be written as if the burden is on inclusion, not omission, as it allows for a better snapshot of what people actually think. For example, if 10 people support here and 6 oppose, but 3 of those who support only support inclusion of a see also link and no actual of inclusion of any text in this article, the final vote wouldn't in any way support the majority view which would be no text within the article. Honestly, I suspect that this is a formality because I fully expect support to take the day here easily either way, but appearances do matter. We need to be careful that it looks like we gave every option an equal opportunity so these things can be put to bed permanently. 98.23.45.127 ( talk) 02:23, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
The word "permanently" doesn't belong in a discussion of this nature. Recent student protests tell us that, clearly, moods change in this arena. HiLo48 ( talk) 11:23, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
And that is the problem, moods shouldn't direct an encyclopedia, relevance and balance should. Syr74 ( talk) 01:08, 13 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Of course, and as the mood of the public changes, and reliable sources tell us about the changed attitudes, that is what we report. We cannot write as if the mood of the public will never change. HiLo48 ( talk) 07:55, 13 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Has anyone checked the basis for this discussion? "Following the use of a Colt AR-15 SP1 Carbine in the Port Arthur massacre" has doubts due to my request for sources in Talk:Port_Arthur_massacre_(Australia)#Sources -- Tom ( talk) 11:21, 10 April 2018 (UTC) P.S. Warner, Kate; (March 1, 1999) stated: " It is a version of the M16 used by the US military and it has but one purpose - to kill or disable. " reply
  • I previously hadn't checked the sources for the proposed passage. Two of the three don't support the claim and the one remaining is weak. I would suggest we find one or two more sources that support the claim (shouldn't be hard) and fix the sourcing. While I'm supporting inclusion here, I think the weight, especially as cited is weak and wouldn't pass DUE as cited. If nothing is added by this evening I try to find some sources. Springee ( talk) 12:18, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Well if not the specific model SP1 Carbine was mentioned, it is somehow logically that it can not have had influence on developing laws in australia. My assumption is that the government thought broader as of "assault rifles" or Battle rifle. BTW in the case of "Port Arthur massacre" there is a second rifle with missing sources. The identification as L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle as quoted in the article could be an urban legend. -- Tom ( talk) 13:30, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
This is why I'm very on the fence with this crime. There were two semi-auto rifles involved but it doesn't seem that many sources link either specific rifle to the crime. It seems the crime is associated with the general class of "Semi-auto rifle" but not with the specific rifles used. But since this is such a significant crime in terms of outcome and impact to the politics of gun control I'm actually ignoring what I think is a weak weight argument. Springee ( talk) 13:43, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Because the information came from a IP-Editor i followed IP 96.54.224.159. Surprise, surprise ... this user systematically altered informations about identification of weapons in crimes !!! See [3] [4] [5] [6]. Seeing thus I can only recommend to check informations about weapons in each case before creating new urban legends. -- Tom ( talk) 14:20, 10 April 2018 (UTC) P.S. IP Special:Contributions/70.66.13.54&offset=&limit=500&target=70.66.13.54 has the same edit style [7] and wow Special:Contributions/96.54.224.159&offset=&limit=5000&target=96.54.224.159 IP active mission since 2011 & talkpage ;-) next IP is Special:Contributions/104.128.253.21 with changing weapon info here. + Special:Contributions/104.128.253.2 All this IPs are located in British Columbia, City: Nanaimo or Victoria reply
Tom, if I understand your concern, you think an IP editor inserted a fact that was basically never questioned and has now been accepted as fact without actual proof. After some quick web searching I think we might be suffering from a Wikipedia effect. As you indicated, the IP editor inserted the information here [ [8]]. I've been searching for references that support the SLR's inclusion and found a number that note the rifle was used but so far all date from after the above insertion. Thus it opens the question that sources and articles talking about the subject have reviewed this article, quoted the claims and now we can, in a circular fashion, cite sources that support the claim. But if we could trace their citation chain back they would be citing Wikipedia. This is definitely a potential issue and perhaps one that should be raised on the Port Arthur page assuming no RS prior to March 2012 can be found. Springee ( talk) 15:35, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
That's right. Sources for the Port Arthur massacre of 28–29 April 1996 should not be younger than 2012 or better 2010 to be reliable. For the already located IP an Wikipedia:CheckUser might be recommendable. Wrong informations are picked up and reported f.e. here. Exactly this ends up in having wrong informations in references f.e. in L1A1_Self-Loading_Rifle#cite_note-22 here. This ends up in a need for critical checks for all this crime related articles. Connecting crimes to weapon groups as done in Mass_shootings_in_the_United_States#Weapons_used is less critical. To do this checks in RFC's for firearms-articles is somehow not the best option. -- Tom ( talk) 16:04, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
This is pretty significant. Do we even have a credible source that specifically states this rifle was the weapon used in the Port Author Massacre? Syr74 ( talk) 21:39, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
You could try the court transcripts. HiLo48 ( talk) 00:48, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply
At this point, I would say that we have strong pre-2011 support for "AR-15". – dlthewave 22:23, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Thanks for taking a look. Tom found a court document that mentioned the SLR [ [9]]. So at that point I would say at least we have a non-blog/forum source. I understand court testimony isn't always "reliable" but at this point I'm satisfied that at least the claim wasn't invented around the time it was inserted into the article. We might still be seeing some Wikipedia effect with reporters seeing the fact here then reporting it based on what's here but that isn't an issue so long as the referencing isn't circular. Springee ( talk) 22:35, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply

The Aussies did not blame a specific gun for the attack and demonize it like the Yanks do. They simply banned ALL semi-auto rifles as a result. Therefore, the specific guns used were irrelevant. What's happened is many years after all was said and done. American politicians and media rediscovered that AR-15 was used and pointed to the Aussie gun ban as the solution to the so called gun problem. If anything, the Aussies were more concerned with the use of the SLR which was still used by the Australian Army at the time. Now we have editors who have decided that it is their mission to add criminal use section to every firearms article that they can get away with. And, even if they lose today, they will be back tomorrow with another rfc, and then another and another until they win.-- RAF910 ( talk) 23:24, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply

You lost me completely there with your final two sentences. Not constructive at all. HiLo48 ( talk) 00:08, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Almost no AR-15 coverage seem to include either Port Arthur or the named law. Yes, you can find some sies out of the millions of AR-15 mentions -- but it is a tiny percentage. Googling for AR-15 I get 41.2 Million hits, and if I add port Arthur I get 167,000 -- less than 0.4%, even with some of those are Port Arthur Texas. If I go to a good RS BBC.com, AR-15 got 17,300 hits and +Port Arthur got 7 -- a 0.04% rate. Going to WashingtonPost.com I get 12,100 versus 22, for a 0.18% rte. So -- mentioning AR-15 in the Port Arthur article may be due, but it is just not significant the other way around. Cheers. Markbassett ( talk) 00:47, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply
This is an issue I struggle with. Weight is easy to establish when RSs talking about the subject of the article mention a claim (articles about Mustangs talking about idiot drivers crashing when leaving Coffee and Cars events). What about cases where the subject of the Wiki article is mentioned in an article about another subject (Mr (name here) has a big Mustang collection)? This is a matter of weight that should be worked out. Project Firearms provided guidance by suggesting weight be limited to cases where the impact was more than just the crime (a significant legal change for example). As I said before, I think it's odd that a RfC similar to this one said do not mention the use of a blue Chevy Caprice in the DC snipper attacks (strong opposition) yet the gun used in the same attacks does mention the crime on it's page. It seems logically inconsistent to me but I haven't looks to see if the inclusion on the gun page was ever challenged. Springee ( talk) 01:12, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply

Current sources do not support statement: A number of editors have said the proposed statement is well sourced. That may be true if we use different sources but the current sources are not acceptable for the claims being made. The first does not mention Colt or AR-15 at all. The second says "Colt AR-15" which does support at least part of the "Colt AR-15 SP1" in the proposed text. The third says AR-15 but not Colt. Sources that support the full statement are available [ [10]]. If we are going to say something is well sourced we should ensure the sources actually support the claim. For what it's worth I was one of the editors who assumed the statement was supported by the provided citations. I still stand by my statement above but the sourcing needs to be fixed. Springee ( talk) 01:12, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply

AR 15 is one of 3 Guns which were named in court for the Port Arthur massacre: "AR15 semi-automatic .223 calibre rifle and FN, commonly called an SLR military style semi-automatic .308 calibre rifle and a semi-automatic Daiwoo twelve gauge shotgun". Protocol (19TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1996) For me this gives the idea that the court was not interested to identify any submodel of this weapons. For this RFC one of 3 guns is less significant. Even less significant, because the Port Arthur massacre is already mentioned in AR-15_style_rifle#Use_in_crime_and_mass_shootings -- Tom ( talk) 01:15, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply

Edit break

A source for the Colt AR-15 SP1 carbine, serial number SP128807, would be found in "The Port Arthur Shooting Incident", Australian Police Journal; December 1998. Problem: I don't have this source and it isn't to be found online. It's my understanding that it's available in many libraries in Australia. I'm going to see if ILL works internationally. Geogene ( talk) 02:05, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply

You mean "The Port Arthur shooting incident; Australian Police Journal; December 1998: pp. 207-228." ??? Very interesting. By the serial Number I found KEITH ALLAN NOBLE: MASS MURDER Official Killing in Tasmania, Australia (E-Book with 718 Pages). At p. 29 "A TANGLED WEB OF POLICE CORRUPTION " and more Info. Addtional reading with Stewart K. Beattie: A Gunsmith's Notebook on Port Arthur (E-Book with 400 Pages) If this Infos are reliable, parts of the story have to be rewritten because of partial debt of australian officials. I suggest to wait here till the authors have done their job in the article Port Arthur massacre (Australia). If you want to thank for the help of WP:Firearms to check and find sources for the article Port Arthur massacre here or in any press releases (comparable with the press-releases which blamed WP:Firearms) will show up in future. Interesting to see if mentioning of this scandal connected to the Colt AR 15 article will still be on the top-level-wish-list of crime and politics-related writers or other party’s. -- Tom ( talk) 08:07, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply
"Stewart K. Beattie; A Gunsmith's Notebook on Port Arthur (E-Book with 400 Pages)" appears to be a self-published source by a conspiracy theorist. I looked at it briefly, so I could be wrong, but that was my first impression. There are apparently other theories out there that Bryant was "framed" or some such. K.e.coffman ( talk) 00:37, 12 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Well lets just see how it works out in Talk:Port_Arthur_massacre_(Australia)#Improvement_of_Article_/_Wikipedia:WikiProject_Politics/Gun_politics. The Book you mentioned is absolutely reliable concerning the technical details (which are not available in other sources). Conspiracy (aka POV) seems to be a problem in all sources ... depending from which side they come. We will do our best to prove the truth. Any help is appreciated. Best -- Tom ( talk) 00:51, 12 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Update & Info: there is a problem with a central source/document of the article. Pls. see Talk:Port_Arthur_massacre_(Australia)#Problems_with_used_sources_of_the_article -- Tom ( talk) 20:45, 13 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Update & Info: as there are still many deficits in the article I added an additional request for help in this project part of wikipedia in Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Crime and Criminal Biography -- Tom ( talk) 09:27, 16 April 2018 (UTC) reply

Conclusion: You can forget about this case because of proven deficits in the linktarget

Hello Colleagues, I am very sorry to come to the conclusion that you can forget about this case because of proven deficits in the linktarget. Since more than two weeks I did my very best ( [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] etc.) and asked for help at multiple [16] + [17] + [18] + [19] + [20] + [21] etc. corners of this project. There are proven deficits in the article about Port Arthur massacre. Nobody went for it or dared to improve this article - me either. Notabene: it can not be the job of wp:gun to do wp:cleanup for wp:plt or wp:crime&CrimiBio. By this I can only suggest to close this RFC rejecting the case due to the deficits in the mentioned crime article. Best -- Tom ( talk) 06:33, 25 April 2018 (UTC) reply

@ Tom: - Well, should the Port Arthur/Colt AR-15 SP1 content be added or not? I see today it has been re-added, apparently based on consensus. But that is irrelevant if there is an issue with the sourcing. - theWOLFchild 19:39, 27 April 2018 (UTC) reply
The only sourcing issue in that sentence was "SP1 Carbine" which I've removed. The rest is well-sourced and unrelated to the concerns raised at Talk:Port Arthur massacre (Australia). – dlthewave 20:40, 27 April 2018 (UTC) reply
If we removed material simply because of "problems" in a linked article, then every wikipedia article would have to be blanked. No article is without flaws, but those flaws don't propagate upwards to any article that discusses the same material. Red Rock Canyon ( talk) 20:47, 27 April 2018 (UTC) reply
no problems or well sourced ? somebody must be joking. see "reliable sources often mention the weapon in articles" has a probem as is has been pointed out in:
Multiple colleagues see Problems with: WP:SYNTH / WP:NOR / WP:PTS etc. Best -- Tom ( talk) 04:26, 28 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Most of those links are just you asking for help on various talk pages. None of them are related to the statement and sources that we're discussing here. The sources provided here directly support the fact that the massacre led to the passage of regulations. What exactly is the SYNTH/NOR/PTS concern? – dlthewave 04:52, 28 April 2018 (UTC) reply
If you read the links ... once more: I just looked it up once more in https://library.ithaca.edu/sp/subjects/primary definitions from there are:
  • "Primary Sources

A primary source provides direct or firsthand evidence about an event, object, person, or work of art. Primary sources include historical and legal documents, eyewitness accounts, results of experiments, statistical data, pieces of creative writing, audio and video recordings, speeches, and art objects. Interviews, surveys, fieldwork, and Internet communications via email, blogs, listservs, and newsgroups are also primary sources. In the natural and social sciences, primary sources are often empirical studies—research where an experiment was performed or a direct observation was made. The results of empirical studies are typically found in scholarly articles or papers delivered at conferences.

  • Secondary Sources

Secondary sources describe, discuss, interpret, comment upon, analyze, evaluate, summarize, and process primary sources. Secondary source materials can be articles in newspapers or popular magazines, book or movie reviews, or articles found in scholarly journals that discuss or evaluate someone else's original research."

Main source of port of article "Port_Arthur_massacre" is invalid because legal documents. -- Tom ( talk) 09:45, 28 April 2018 (UTC) reply
I still don't understand. Why are we supposed to care about the sourcing of Port Arthur massacre (Australia)? This is a discussion over the sentence proposed for this article. None of the sources are legal documents. All the sources for the proposed section are independent secondary sources. Though I don't agree that it should be included, it definitely meets the requirement for verification. Red Rock Canyon ( talk) 11:06, 28 April 2018 (UTC) reply
The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

"used in many mass shootings"

This edit was a reversion that removed a claim of the AR-15's used in "many mass shootings" on the basis that had no references. This article may be a suitable reference, if that's the only reason for that claim's removal. - Mr.1032 ( talk) 00:45, 17 April 2018 (UTC) reply

thx for the hint. Since we are here on the discside of Colt AR-15 it is interesting to see that not one Colt AR-15 is mentioned in the list of the article you presented. -- Tom ( talk) 17:24, 17 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Yes, that is a bit funny. The Colt AR-15 is not singled out from other similar rifles in the attempt to restrict access to such guns, as is mentioned in that section, so I think that reference could still be appropriate, even though there are no actual Colt AR-15s on the list. - Mr.1032 ( talk) 00:16, 18 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Since we have the AT-15 Style Rifle article I would suggest not using generalized statements about AR-15 type rifles here. This article should be strictly Colt AR-15s. Springee ( talk) 00:40, 18 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Sounds like references weren't the only reason after all. That makes sense to me, thank you. And I assume you're referring to the AR-15 style rifle article; AT-15 sounds more like a rifle that walks (attempt at humor, not always my strong suit). - Mr.1032 ( talk) 02:21, 18 April 2018 (UTC) reply
D'oh! Yes, I wasn't thinking Star Wars. (leaving the mistake so your comments stay in context ;) Springee ( talk) 02:27, 18 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Since this is about the COLT AR15 and the COLT AR15 doesn't seem to be used in "many mass shootings", there's no reason to include it here. Niteshift36 ( talk) 19:03, 27 April 2018 (UTC) reply

Number of photos

I love pictures, but I think we're going a little overboard with the number of pics used in this article. Opinions? Niteshift36 ( talk) 19:04, 27 April 2018 (UTC) reply

I agree, I went ahead and removed the photo of the Ruger SR-556. Most of the close-ups can probably go as well. – dlthewave 13:31, 28 April 2018 (UTC) reply

The Week

I restored "The adolescent cult of the AR-15" from The Week to the media template. The article is clearly about this page. At the time of the writing, "Colt AR-15" was the page that had "AR-15" in its name. The page that is now AR-15 was then called "Modern Sporting Rifle". -- K.e.coffman ( talk) 02:35, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply

@ K.e.coffman:, in that case are you going to remove it from the AR15 style rifle page which didn't exist at the time? The article slanders one of our editors while providing no insight or value. Springee ( talk) 10:23, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
It looks like the entry has already been removed from the AR-15 Talk page: [22], which seems fair. -- K.e.coffman ( talk) 15:32, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply

RfC: AR-15 style rifle subsection

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.


Should the Colt AR-15#AR-15 style rifle subsection briefly summarize the content on the AR-15 style rifle page? Specifically, the relation between such rifles and the Colt version, some details on variations, how widespread they are, and most especially their use in mass shootings. 23:57, 16 May 2018 (UTC)

Survey

That subsection should briefly summarize the AR-15 style rifle page, as is standard. The most important elements of that article should be mentioned (if briefly). Those are the relation between such rifles and the Colt version, some details on variations, how widespread they are, and their use in mass shootings (which is arguably the most important of all, considering the depth and breadth of interest in that). Waleswatcher (talk) 14:50, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply

There is no reason this section needs to summarize the parent article. Instead this section describes how the patented Colt AR-15 evolved into the generic rifles. As such it doesn't need information about the various calibers and barrel length available to generic rifles derived from the Colt rifle. Nor do we need the NY times opinion on generic AR-15s. Now per BRD restoring the old material is justified. What isn't is keeping the material you added since that isn't a long term part of the article and was immediately disputed. You should have started this talk section instead of restoring the disputed edits. Springee ( talk) 15:05, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Springee, thank you for responding on the talk page rather than continuing to edit war. The section I edited refers to Main article: AR-15 style rifle. As per standard wiki style, that section should briefly summarize its parent article, and my edit improved that summary. You appear to be advocating removing the section entirely or re-purposing it. Such a major change certainly requires consensus and perhaps a broader discussion. As for the NYT source, it is a news article and a reliable source per wiki, not an opinion piece. But if you believe we need more sources for that statement, there are certainly tens and possibly hundreds. Waleswatcher (talk) 15:32, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
The edit war you started? Sorry, the section is describing how generic AR's came about after the Colt parents expired. We can leave the politics out. Springee ( talk) 15:40, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
We can leave the politics out - ?? This is not a policy-based argument. K.e.coffman ( talk) 15:43, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support, per WP:WEIGHT. Clearly topical for the subsection and follows WP:SUMMARY style, with more information available in the AR-15 article. -- K.e.coffman ( talk) 15:30, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support, so much has been written about the politics in relation to this gun that it's an NPOV violation to try to leave it out. And as I've said before, you can't escape controversy by spinning off daughter articles. The controversy comes with it. Geogene ( talk) 15:52, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose: First WW's addition was edit warring since the editor didn't go to the talk page when the material was reverted. Second, this is an article about a specific make and model rifle. It is not the general AR-15 article so the generic politics don't need to be here. The new material doesn't describe the link between the Colt rifle and the generic rifles thus is off topic. Springee ( talk) 17:07, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support, per Geogene and K.e.coffman. Waleswatcher (talk) 17:27, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose: The content has no direct correlation to the article. - 72bikers ( talk) 19:38, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Forum shopping: In February almost the exact same content was rejected from the article. [ [23]]. Unless there is a reason to believe that consensus has changed this previous discussion applies here. Springee ( talk) 17:53, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Ping editors involved in February's discussion of this material (who aren't above) @ Drmies, Ansh666, Niteshift36, PackMecEng, Red Rock Canyon, Limpscash, RAF910, and Thewolfchild: Springee ( talk) 18:38, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
You have just engaged in WP:votestacking. Please stop. Waleswatcher (talk) 19:02, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
No, per WP:APPNOTE, notification of editors involved with previous discussions of the same or closely related topics is appropriate notification. I notified all editors involved with last Feb's discussion regarding the inclusion of the same source and passage you added earlier today. Since all involved editors, not just those one one side or the other were notified this isn't votestacking. Springee ( talk) 19:28, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Except you didn't. For instance, you did not notify dlthewave, who (and this is just a guess, but an informed one based on previous posts) likely would have been on the other side. So, it appears you only notified the editors you believed would support you. That is WP:Votestacking.
Failing to ping Dlthewave was an oversight. However, the Port Arthur discussion was unrelated and thus notifying those editors would be possible canvassing. Also Tom wasn't pinged so now we have potential canvassing. Springee ( talk) 19:55, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
The editors pinged by Springee all !voted Oppose. Pinging all others who participated in the discussion @ London Hall, Fluous, JustinFranks, and Icewhiz:dlthewave 19:49, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Did those editors vote on the Proposal 1? Springee ( talk) 19:55, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Yeah, dlthewave, it's kind of unfair to attack Springee for leaving out those four editors. He did ping every editor who contributed to the previous discussion about the topic of this discussion. Except you, which I will assume was an honest mistake. Those four editors you pinged didn't participate in the discussion about the section in this article about AR-15 style rifles, the subject of this current discussion. They don't necessarily fit the criteria Editors who have participated in previous discussions on the same topic just because they commented on the talk page on a different issue. Red Rock Canyon ( talk) 20:14, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
On review I still missed Dlthewave's edit. The third time I looked I saw it. It was a nonvoting reply buried in a back and forth. Springee ( talk) 20:37, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
The whole votestacking claim is actually a bit humorous. It shows we keep discussing this and have to go through this exercise every time some editor who have done zero work on this article breezes in and decides his/her POV needs inserted. Niteshift36 ( talk) 15:14, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose. Mass-shootings committed with the use of other weapons are not sufficiently related to the topic of this article to merit inclusion. And for now I've removed the content that Waleswatcher added. The material you added was challenged, and is currently in under discussion, so please do not edit war to re-add until you have consensus. Red Rock Canyon ( talk) 19:44, 12 May 2018 (UTC) Edited apparently I'm blind, sorry for the obviously unnecessary ping. Red Rock Canyon ( talk) 19:50, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support. The relationship between AR-15-style rifles and mass shootings is obviously a big deal; to exclude it from a brief summary has no justification. Fluous ( talk) 20:29, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
This article isn't about AR-15 style rifles. That is a separate topic and does include the material in question. Springee ( talk) 20:37, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
There would be no AR-15 style rifles without AR-15 rifles. Drmies ( talk) 20:44, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support a measured summary. The AR-15 is notable for being what it is, which includes its ease of use and accessibility, which in turn help explain the enormous popularity of the weapon and its derivatives among mass murderers. Of course there is a direct correlation, as the sources bear out. Drmies ( talk) 20:44, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
True but that doesn't mean than information goes into this article. Remember, this isn't meant to be a lead type summary of the AR-15 type rifle article. This section section simply states where the generic rifles came from. Springee ( talk) 22:09, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Please let other people talk. You're monopolizing the discussion. All I see is "Springee this," "Springee that," and meta-discussions about Springee's conduct. Fluous ( talk) 01:52, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose - Not relevant to this article, and should be, if properly written, in AR-15 style rifle. If some summary must be included, it should be given proper weighting. This material, now removed, is not due material. Mr rnddude ( talk) 21:07, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support - It's relevant to include a summary of the AR-15 style rifle article, with a focus on how it evolved from the Colt AR-15. – dlthewave 01:29, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
How is it relevant? Remember this section only exists to explain how generic AR-15s evolved out of expired patents. Springee ( talk) 02:30, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I'm not really sure what it is you're supporting Dlthewave. The article already includes a summary of how AR-15 style rifles evolved from the AR-15. Indeed, it has two paragraphs dedicated to that alone. The request isn't to summarize, it's to copy across. Note that this material in AR-15 style rifle (added yesterday and contentious) is near identical to the second half or so of the material added here (also added yesterday, and also contentious). The first part (about being beloved and reviled) is, I think, unique and does not come from the other article. Mr rnddude ( talk) 02:44, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Would you like to suggest some other wording that summarizes the role of AR-15 style rifles in mass shootings? That could be helpful. Waleswatcher (talk) 03:27, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
"Port Arthur stuff particularly relevant" ? It is, but generally, not particularly. I've worked 2 weeks on it and general problems with sources could not be solved. See te complete section of Talk:Port_Arthur_massacre_(Australia)#Improvement_of_Article_/_Wikipedia:WikiProject_Politics/Gun_politics -- Tom ( talk) 12:02, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply

*Oppose If they are not the AR-15 it has no place here. Change to Support, as I did not know what I was talking about when I made this vote. Slatersteven ( talk) 12:36, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply

  • Support per Drimes Legacypac ( talk) 12:57, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support per Geogene and K.e.coffman. —  pythoncoder  ( talk |  contribs) 14:13, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • support per WP:SYNC and WP:SUMMARY. For this kind of meta-editing generally the best way to keep WP in sync with itself is to copy the lead of A to the relevant spot in the body of the B, adding sources that are already in the body of A as needed (there may not be sources, since per LEAD, the LEAD doesn't need sources when it is functioning as a lead.. but it will need them when functioning as a summary of A in the body of B). In this case the "style" article mentions mass shootings already (appropriately, summarizing the section in the body of that article), so of course that content comes here too. Jytdog ( talk) 15:08, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose..... again. For the reasons already expressed in past discussions. Niteshift36 ( talk) 15:14, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose Not relevant to this article and fails weight and NPOV. It shouldn't even be in the lead of AR-15 style rifle. PackMecEng ( talk) 17:04, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose, not relevant to the article. Cavalryman V31 ( talk) 20:47, 13 May 2018 (UTC). reply
  • Oppose, Completely irrelevant to the topic of this article. Syr74 ( talk) 00:31, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • OPPOSE, As stated above. Is this the 5th or 6th time we've voted on this content? I've lost track.-- RAF910 ( talk) 00:37, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
So you want the article to deliberately go against the guideline WP:SYNC? That's fine, just want to be sure that's what you're saying. Or are you opposed to the wording I proposed (which is not actually a copy of the lead of AR-15 style rifle) for some other reason? Waleswatcher (talk) 01:07, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I didn't say that... you did. - theWOLFchild 01:31, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Opposish - Not a hard opposition but seems not necessary to do so and seems more an issue than a benefit. I see no policy basis guiding towards such, it seems contrary to practices done at similar "Main article" pointers, and I see no mention of a functional reason or benefit for making such a restriction on what gets said here. It seems proposing this article part be limited to a duplication of content on just the basis of saying that "should" be rather than showing a point to it being in this article. For comparison, we do not have a duplication when the Dodge Caravan points at the Fifth generation section subsection of Volkswagen Routan . I see the mention of WP:SYNC but think it not appropriate since AR-15-Style is not a sub-article WP:CFORK of the Colt AR-15 -- it is the larger and later separate topic of things by separate makers in apparently further evolution. (Or patent feature or a kind of label -- it's not clearly stated what the AR-15 "style" is or where the usage "AR-15 style" started & applies to.) Cheers Markbassett ( talk) 05:55, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply

Discussion related to above survey

I've taken the liberty of moving these questions to below what has become a survey section above. I hope the involved editors do not mind. With this I also removed an edit break from the section above Springee ( talk) 01:56, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
(no objection here, there is still some type of edit break here, which is needed, so no problem. - wolf 02:22, 14 May 2018 (UTC)) reply
  • Question for those opposed: Given WP:SYNC, specifically

"Since the lead of any article should be the best summary of the article, it can be convenient to use the subarticle's lead as the content in the summary section, with a {main} hatnote pointing to the subarticle."

what exactly are you suggesting? Are you saying we should intentionally not follow that guideline? Waleswatcher (talk) 00:45, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply

By the way, if we cannot reach a consensus in favor of my version (right now its 11-9 against, so doesn't look promising), I intend to simply copy the lead from AR-15 style rifle into this section, as per WP:SYNC. Waleswatcher (talk) 01:10, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply

That's not how it works. You need to slow down and take your cues from the community and project p&g. You don't just get to do whatever you want. - theWOLFchild 01:31, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
That goes for you, too. You don't just get to ignore clear and simple policies guidlines like WP:SYNC. Nor does it particularly matter how many editors agree with you if they do not have any valid arguments. What matters is logic and wiki policy. Waleswatcher (talk) 03:41, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
FYI - wp:sync isn't a policy, it's a guideline. - wolf
"That goes for you, too." - Perhaps you hadn't noticed, but I haven't attempted to add, alter or remove any content from any firearm article, and not just to suit my personal preferences, but at all. - theWOLFchild 23:50, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
"I haven't...remove[d] any content from any firearm article...at all." Huh - so what exactly is this, then? Waleswatcher (talk) 23:56, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
That's a revert, of a single, disputed word, that is/was currently being discussed on the talk page and should not have been re-added at that time, if at all. (I would think that was obvious and not in need of explanation). Look, you made a comment that basically says "if I can't have my way, I'll just go do it my way, anyway", to which I replied; "It doesn"t work that way...", which for some strange reason you then replied "same goes for you". I was simply pointing out that I hasn't made any content changes, nor was I threatening to, if I didn't get my way, which made your retort kinda' pointless. - theWOLFchild 05:18, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
You made a mistake (in saying you hadn't removed any content at all). Just own it, it's OK. As for your edit being a revert of something that "should not have been re-added", that's a falsehood. That word was in the article for some time. User:72bikers took it out (without any comment either on the talk page or in the edit summary, which also changed some other things), I put it back as it was, ..., and you reverted my revert. You were the one going against BRD and insisting on removing content that had been there for a while (without discussion or consensus), not me.
Again, I'm happy to collaborate with you and anyone else on this page, but the tendentious attitude here makes it very hard. It seems the only way to make progress may be to be bold, get reverted, try to discuss it, document a complete unwillingness to engage with the issues, and then go to an RFC. If that's where this is going, so be it, but I'd much rather not as it's a waste of everyone's time. Waleswatcher (talk) 12:44, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
@ Ww; "Mistake"...? No, I posted a fact. And your contributions to this article and participation on this talk page can hardly be called "collaboration", so own that. Now go post your RfC, it can't be anymore of a waste of time than this dog's breakfast of a tp 'discussion'... - wolf 17:58, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Waleswatcher my edit in the area of the one word removed had a edit summary. I have also addressed that edit here on the talk page with my explanation, when question arose so lets be clear.
Your argumentative tone on trivial matters is really reading as uncivil. You again state it is only you that has the knowledge to judge what should or should not be in the article. You again state you will do whatever you want regardless of consequences. You also state if you are not allowed to get your way you will go tell. You are aware you do not own the article right? This all read as uncivil and disruptive.
I again ask you to please do not see everything in just a black or white view and be more open to a collaborative encyclopedia. - 72bikers ( talk) 16:36, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Perhaps you should consider that these editors aren't ignoring it... well not exactly. They aren't applying it because that isn't the scope of the section. You are correct, what matters is logic and wiki policy. You should also understand that reasonable people can disagree. Springee ( talk) 03:56, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply

Waleswatcher, I think this explains why you don't understand the objections you mentioned here [ [24]]. You are assuming, incorrectly, that this subtopic of the Colt AR-15 article is meant to be a summary of the generic AR-15 article. If that were true I would somewhat agree with your intent. Not the edits you added the other day but the idea that this section and the AR-15 style rifle lead should be in sync. However, the section in question is not meant to summarize the topic of generic AR-15 style rifles. It is only meant to tell users how IP that was originally controlled by Colt became generic to the extent that other manufactures can copy it without license. So the only content that is relevant in that section is content that supports that scope.

There is no SYNC concern because this isn't a parent article spinning off a subsection into a child-article nor the reverse. Consider the topic of the IBM PC. It is the common ancestor of basically all Wintel computers. That doesn't mean Microsoft Windows or Wintel are child articles of the IBM PC article. The IBM PC article talks about the rise of clones just as it relates to the IBM PC. It doesn't go into the way the rise of clone computers greatly expanded the range of PC options, configurations nor drove down the cost of hardware nor how the clones lead to the rise of the Wintel platform. It doesn't mention Wintel controversies such as various MS and Intel PC anti trust complaints. The point being what is important in the IBM PC article as with the article here is in context of the article subject, not the larger picture. In context of the Colt AR-15 topic the section talks about how the design became generic. Not what happened after the design became generic or how non-Colt AR-15 style rifles were used. What happened after is covered in or linked from the AR-15 style rifle article.

I would strongly suggest you not make the change you just proposed. You now have two editors who have directly stated that is not acceptable and we have a number of editors above who have raised objections that would clearly cover such a change. Springee ( talk) 02:25, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply

Springee, your rearrangement disconnected my question from the response it was attached to. Now it's much more difficult to understand what was said when. Please refrain from editing other user's comments on talk pages.

As I mentioned in my note you are welcome to reverse the change. However, I would also suggest that you not put what appeared to be a general question in the middle of what has become a survey section. Your general question was all but guaranteed to hurt readability of the discussion. Your question was directed at "those opposed" not a single editor. Springee ( talk) 03:53, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply

Regarding WP:SYNC, you assert "You are assuming, incorrectly, that this subtopic of the Colt AR-15 article is meant to be a summary of the generic AR-15 article. If that were true I would somewhat agree with your intent." I do not need to assume that, because it says as much in the article. The section is titled "AR-15 style rifle", and the first line underneath is "Main article: AR-15 style rifle". Case closed. Waleswatcher (talk) 03:37, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply

Sorry, you are still failing to see the scope of the section. It wouldn't make sense to treat the AR-15 style rifle as a child of this article. Adding a link to the main article doesn't mean this is meant to be a summary of the AR-15 article. Please take context and the comments of other editors in mind when considering such things. It would avoid some of these issues in the future. Springee ( talk) 03:53, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I didn't say anything about it being s child. I said that the section titled "AR-15 style rifle", with first line "Main article: AR-15 style rifle", is a summary of AR-15 style rifle. Are you seriously disputing that? Waleswatcher (talk) 10:39, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Those don't mean the section is meant to summarize the other article. This is wrong on several levels. The context of the previous discussions which you didn't consult before adding nearly the same text could have been an aid. The content of the section also should have made it clear since the first thing it takes about was the patents. SYNC applies to parent-child articles where a subtopic is spun out. It doesn't universally apply. Previous editors were trying to be helpful by making it clear there exists a general AR-15 article vs this one about the Colt rifle. They also wanted to discuss the connection between. This is why the content was rejected. It's out of scope for this article. Springee ( talk) 10:53, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
OK - your position seems clear. Just to be sure, you maintain that the section titled "AR-15 style rifle", with first line "Main article: AR-15 style rifle", is NOT a summary of AR-15 style rifle, and for that reason is not subject to WP:SYNC. Is that accurate? Thanks. Waleswatcher (talk) 11:43, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • There's no reason that we "must" or "must not" use summary style. It's a content decision that can be discussed, and either outcome would be acceptable regardless of the original intent of this section. Several of the !voters above point out that it currently seems to be in summary style and support keeping it that way. – dlthewave 12:10, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Correct. The notion that a section titled "AR-15 style rifle", with first line "Main article: AR-15 style rifle", cannot be edited so as to accurately summarize the article AR-15 style rifle is simply nonsensical. Unless there are actual substantive objections (beyond "that's not the way I want it"), I will go ahead and do that as per WP:SYNC. If necessary, I can take this to a wider audience via an RFC or something. Waleswatcher (talk) 14:25, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Look at the article history. The section clearly was intended to explain the split, not to be a general history. The edit you propose would be wp:reckless given the clear lakelack of support above (edit: strike through comment because WW seems to feel that such a minor correction can not be made without a strike through). This is the exact same issue @ PackMecEng: and I are warning you about here [ [25]] Springee ( talk) 14:51, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
There is no "clear lake of support" - there was no consensus on the change I proposed, but the support and oppose are almost evenly split. In retrospect that may have been because the change I proposed was not clearly a summary of the relevant article. As for the original intent in creating that subsection, even if you are correct it is irrelevant. It clearly makes sense to have a summary section of the AR 15 style rifle article here, and in fact there is one, so let's make it an actual summary as it should be. Waleswatcher (talk) 15:00, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I will point out your theories are just your own opinions not shared by all. The persisytance to display another editors spelling mistake and dismissiveness to other editors is not conducive to a legitimate civil discussion. I ask you to please not see everything in just a black or white view and be more open to a collaborative encyclopedia. - 72bikers ( talk) 21:15, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
72bikers, I'm happy to collaborate and hear your opinion. It clearly makes sense for this article to have a section summarizing AR-15 style rifles in general, and there already is such a section. The easiest way to update it is to just copy over the lead section of that article, that's what WP:SYNC says. The lead already is a summary, and when one article is updated, it's easy to update the other one. If there's some inappropriate or wrong information, you can just remove it from the lead of AR-15 style rifles and copy the new version over here. Make sense? Waleswatcher (talk) 21:35, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I don't even see where you had any interest in the article a week ago. Today, you're setting ultimatums for it (if I don't get my way, I'm making this change). So you'll have to excuse me if I don't completely believe your willingness to collaborate. Niteshift36 ( talk) 22:27, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Care to comment on substance, rather than casting aspersions and failing to assume good faith? Waleswatcher (talk) 23:07, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • As the others have already pointed out, pointing out what you've said and done isn't an aspersion. You don't understand BRD and I have commented on the substance...all the other times we've had this discussion with every other editor coming in to 'save' the article. Niteshift36 ( talk) 21:20, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
It's not an aspersion; you did, point blank, threaten to engage in disruptive editing if the discussion didn't go your way. Quote: By the way, if we cannot reach a consensus in favor of my version (right now its 11-9 against, so doesn't look promising), I intend to simply copy the lead from AR-15 style rifle into this section, as per WP:SYNC, and Diff: Special:diff/841090940. Mr rnddude ( talk) 00:15, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
There's nothing disruptive about that. It would be standard WP:BRD - except that I'm announcing what I'm intending to do (and why) in advance so it can be discussed, which makes it more careful (and less bold) than wiki standard. Now, do you care to comment on substance, or are you going to continue to be tendentious? Waleswatcher (talk) 00:47, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
No it wouldn't be standard BRD. It'd be you switching tack in hopes of forcing your preference through. By definition, it would be disruption. I've addressed what you said. Tendentious means partisan, just fyi. Mr rnddude ( talk) 01:02, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
"I've addressed what you said." - where? Waleswatcher (talk) 01:25, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
BRD does not say you can make an edit without consensus, it says you do not need to seek it. Once you have sought it and it is not present it does not allow you to make an edit. Any opposed edit (and this is clearly opposed) must first get consensus before being made. I would susgest you do not go ahead and make this edit, you will likely get a block. Slatersteven ( talk) 13:22, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Thanks for the comment, but where precisely do you get that from? Per WP:BRD:

BRD is especially successful where:

  • ... local consensus differs from global consensus, and your goal is to apply global consensus.
  • ... people haven't really thought things through yet.
  • ... people are only discussing policy or theory, and are not applying reasoning or trying to negotiate consensus.
  • ... people are talking past each other instead of getting down to brass tacks with concrete proposals

Several of the above apply here, particularly the first and last ones.Waleswatcher (talk) 13:40, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply

OK lets put it another way, you quote the part where it says you can edit if you do not have clear consensus on the talk page. Slatersteven ( talk) 13:44, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
That's the whole point of the entire BRD protocol! But if you really want a quote, here's one: "Cycle. To avoid bogging down in discussion, when you have a better understanding of the reverter's concerns, you may attempt a new edit that reasonably addresses some aspect of those concerns. You can try this even if the discussion has not reached an explicit conclusion, but be sure you don't engage in any kind of edit warring." In this case, there was no consensus for or against the edit I made (survey was 11-9), and the discussion has clearly bogged down. So, per this policy I can attempt a new "bold" edit that may help move things forward. In this case it would be to copy the lead verbatim from AR-15 style rifle. That has a clear justification per WP:SYNC, by contrast to my previous edit which was arguably ad hoc or undue in some way. If the new edit gets reverted again, I guess the next move is to start an RFC. Now, do you really consider that "disruptive"? It seems to me it conforms perfectly to BRD. Waleswatcher (talk) 14:33, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
WW your behavior is still exactly the same, you have not heard anything I have said or asked " dismissiveness to other editors is not conducive to a legitimate civil discussion. I ask you to please not see everything in just a black or white view and be more open to a collaborative encyclopedia."
You seems to feel only you are able to understand policies. These issues and others are part of why I tried to be helpful and post a link to information of policies you appeared to not be able to fully grasp. You stated that was harassment and you felt you needed to leave a warning and in turn proceeded to haharass me. I also see you have not yet grasped you do not have the right to do this as you repeated this with Springee, after he specifically asked you not to do this. All of these issues speak to being uncivil and disruptive.
You clear satated that you would do whatever you want regardless of what others felt and would ignore consensus. I again ask you to please not see everything in just a black or white view and be more open to a collaborative encyclopedia. - 72bikers ( talk) 14:41, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
72bikers, the last time you posted a comment like this, I replied that I'm happy to collaborate with you, and I politely asked your opinion on the edit I am proposing. You ignored me. In your next post you are again claiming I'm the one that's disruptive. Sorry, but that's not how it looks from where I sit. Can you please engage with the issues? Thanks. Waleswatcher (talk) 14:59, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Except this "new" edit has already been rejected, so we know already what will happen. Slatersteven ( talk) 14:52, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
It's not the same edit, nor was the old one rejected - there was a stalemate. But if you really feel trying one new edit would be "disruptive" (I do not agree, this endless talk page back and forth is far more so than one edit and a possible revert), I could take this directly to an RFC instead. The question would be whether the AR-15 style rifle subsection here should be "synced" to its main article a la WP:SYNC. Waleswatcher (talk) 14:59, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
What the hell does that mean? hat tells me nothing about what you want to include. You could always post your proposed edit here and let us see how "different" it is form what you have added before. Slatersteven ( talk) 15:00, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Should the section Colt AR-15#AR-15 style rifle be a copy of the lead of AR-15 style rifle per WP:SYNC? Waleswatcher (talk) 16:09, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
So you have already made this edit? Slatersteven ( talk) 16:16, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
No. Waleswatcher (talk) 17:24, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
You are correct, you only "Added info from the lede of the main article", rather then the whole lead. So just expanding the material so you can still add this is not changing what you wanted to add. It is just adding more padding around it, and that to me is not a "new". And it will get reverted again. Slatersteven ( talk) 17:39, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I think you edited your comment while I was responding, but anyway here's what I wrote.

OK. In your opinion, which is preferable - make the edit, and if it doesn't get reverted (or there is constructive editing/discussion) great, and if it does start an RFC, or just start an RFC without trying the edit first? I think it's pretty obvious the first option is better a la BRD, but I respect your point of view and I guess you may disagree. Waleswatcher (talk) 18:03, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply

I disagree, BRD (to my mind) should only be used to generate debate about a suggested edit. We already know there is going to be a debate because the idea has already (before you have made the edit) been rejected. So that mean s the only was forwards if (if you really want one ) an RFC. It will save time and avert another edit war. Slatersteven ( talk) 18:07, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
OK, thanks. In that case I'll start an RfC or village pump discussion on this specific question: Should the section Colt AR-15#AR-15 style rifle be a copy of the lead of AR-15 style rifle per WP:SYNC? Waleswatcher (talk) 18:25, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Please consider WP:FORUMSHOP before deciding how and where to raise this question or even what the question should be. While the above discussion was not the exact same question you are now suggesting, it is close and would represent the 3rd time it was raised in as many months. Do you think the initial rejection or the current lack of consensus was based on the particular text? Would your proposed change result in some of the above changing their opinions/reasons? The survey above was well attended so I don't think we could justify a RfC based on limited feedback to the above question. Springee ( talk) 19:13, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Thanks. But as you say it's not really the same question, and it has the clear advantage that if there is a consensus in favor, as a "sync" it's a permanent solution - there need not be any more such discussions, at least not over this page. Waleswatcher (talk) 19:36, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Not that I agree with your assesment of the validity of this potential post of yours, but let's say you do post your "new and completely different" question and there is a clear consensus against you... will you accept it and finally drop this? Or will you; A) continue to argue it to death? B) threaten to make your edit anyway? C) just post your question all over again, just slightly tweaked, on a different page, a couple of days later? D) all of the above?
By the way you keep saying there's "no consensus" with the "11-9" outcome. You do realize that it's not a vote? It's the quality of the arguments that determines consensus, including with straw polls. Instead of doing this all over again, perhaps an uninvolved admin should review the 11-9 debate and determine if there is consensus, and possibly save us all the trouble of debating this all over again. Anyone have any thoughts on this? - theWOLFchild 00:09, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose cherrypicked bleedover - responding to ping by Nil Einne. I'm more about stopping the Bronco cahse being kept to the OJ article and out of the Bronco article ... but same thing here -- that it is UNDUE given the small percentage of the topic for the article and OFFTOPIC of the article, and in this case adds that people are doing OR by cherrypicking what parts to include. You might make a case for See Also -- but not for replicating the same content over & over at every article that coincidentally uses the same word as something in the content being replicated. Also, if you're going to summarize another article it should be done according to prominence in that other article. Cheers Markbassett ( talk) 02:49, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
but not for replicating the same content over & over at every article that coincidentally uses the same word as something in the content being replicated What the hell? You realize that the Colt AR-15 is an AR-15 rifle, right? It's not "coincidence" that one word ("AR-15") occurs in both articles. Articles are not random collections of words. The selection and arrangement of words confers meaning. Geogene ( talk) 02:57, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
All Colt AR-15's are AR-15's, not all AR-15's are Colt AR-15's. Slatersteven ( talk) 15:12, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
+1 and some are war-weapons like M16 rifle. For people who don't know the interconnections it's just too hard to understand. -- Tom ( talk) 15:23, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • No AR15s are M16s. Those are two different rifles. Niteshift36 ( talk) 16:20, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
The m-16 is a developed of the AR-15, and thus us as much an AR-15 as any other derivative, which is my point. Slatersteven ( talk) 16:28, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
You're confusing yourself. The ArmaLite AR15 was select fire and developed into the M16. Different company. This is the Colt AR15. Niteshift36 ( talk) 20:08, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
So not that much dissimilar (apart from full Auto capabilities then (say) the LM308MWS then, made by a different company? Slatersteven ( talk) 09:16, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
What does similarity have to do with anything? Niteshift36 ( talk) 13:27, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
OK lets word it another way the LM308MWS is not made by Colt and yet is still an AR-15 style rifle, so why would being made by a different company affect whether or not is is an AR-15 style rifle? But I think I was saying that, a few functional or cosmetic dissimilarities do not affect whether or not is is an AR-15 derivative. Slatersteven ( talk) 13:33, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Again, what are you talking about? Everyone hear that knows what they're talking about understands the difference between an AR-15 and an AR-15 style rifle. Niteshift36 ( talk) 16:34, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
@ Niteshift36 and Slatersteven: Slatersteven is correct and Niteshift36 is wrong on this. Niteshift, you wrote "The ArmaLite AR15 was select fire and developed into the M16. Different company. This is the Colt AR15." It's true that Armalite marketed its rifle to the army, but it was rejected. Colt bought the rights to the design and the name in 1959, and had the army take another look. The army eventually accepted the design in '64, and Colt then started offering a "civilian version of the M-16, which it called the AR-15". All that is discussed here. [26] Waleswatcher (talk) 16:42, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Both of you spout sentences you read somewhere and don't appreciate the actual differences between the Armalite AR15 and the Colt AR15. At this point, this tangent has nothing to offer in terms of improving the article. Niteshift36 ( talk) 17:59, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Did I say anything to the contrary? What I said was that whilst all Colt AR-15's are AR-15 derivatives (is this incorrect are they derivative BAR or M-14 derivatives?), not (the clue is in the word, not) all AR-15's are colt AR-15's. What about that statement is in correct? Slatersteven ( talk) 16:49, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Sir, the AR-15 has absolutely nothing to do with with the BAR or the M14 rifle. Again, (per your talk page discussion) I ask that stop editing a subject that you clearly know nothing about.-- RAF910 ( talk) 17:01, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Try and read what people have written. Slatersteven ( talk) 17:12, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
It would probably be helpful to have, even if just on the talk page, a timeline/history of the Armalite AR-15 vs Colt M-16 vs Colt Ar-15 etc. My understanding from rough memory etc, is Armalite made the AR-15 (select fire rifle). They weren't able to get a buyer and needed money so they sold the design to Colt. Colt then changed some details and released both the select fire M-16 (not sure what Colt called it internally since the M-16 name would have come from the military). Colt also released a semi-auto only version which was the Colt AR-15. So I think it is fair to say both Colt rifles are close derivatives of the Armalite AR-15. I suspect Colt initially focused on making the military select fire version (ie the M-16). After it was done they redesigned the M-16 to make it semi-auto only and make it non-trivial to convert to select fire (not a case of just dropping in parts). If I'm correct then the evolution was Armalite AR-15 -> Colt M-16 -> Colt AR-15 -> (patents expire) generic clone AR-15s not authorized by Colt (nearly part by part identical) -> generic AR-15 pattern rifles that include significant deviations from the original model including changed gas systems, changed cartridge types, etc. Anyway, it may be helpful if we could find a source to outline this lineage. It would be useful both in this article and the AR-15 style rifle article. I'll see if I can find a RS saying something like that this evening. Springee ( talk) 13:46, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
@ Springee: This source discusses the early history of that, if not in great detail [27] . Waleswatcher (talk) 14:43, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
When sources discuss AR-15 rifles, they are referring to Colt AR-15s, as well as all other civilian makes. "AR-15" is a category, "Colt AR-15" is a member of that category. Geogene ( talk) 17:33, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
But when they discus Colt AR-15's do they mean all AR-15's? Slatersteven ( talk) 17:38, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
You have just accidentally discovered the heart of matter. All of those "reliable sources" that some editors are constantly ranting about are incompetent on the subject matter. They don't know what they are talking about. They only know that AR-15s are scary looking and shoot fast. And, they make no effort to give accurate information.-- RAF910 ( talk) 18:02, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
So how many of them confuse AR-15's with Colts? Slatersteven ( talk) 18:09, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Sir, your question confirms that you have little to no firearms knowledge. Again, you are relying on sources of information that are incompetent on the subject matter. They don't know what they are talking about. They only know that AR-15s are scary looking and shoot fast. And, they make no effort to give accurate information.-- RAF910 ( talk) 18:19, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Fair enough, as obviously I do not know enough about the subject my vote must have been wrong so I will change it. Slatersteven ( talk) 18:25, 16 May 2018 (UTC). Slatersteven ( talk) 18:25, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I could not concur more with RAF's last statement. It is also nice to see editors are open to reason and willingness to a civil rational discussion. - 72bikers ( talk) 18:33, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I have now changed my vote based upon my previous lack of understanding of the topic. Slatersteven ( talk) 18:36, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • [User_talk:Waleswatcher]] - WP:SYNC is not applicable for several reasons. First, that is a guideline for content forks which would be for subsections of the Colt article, not the case here. Second, folks often do not do this option to say a summary of what was broken off - just not what the parent wants. Third, what is at the style article lead just is not a summary of that article. And fourth, this article already has text -- so no need to consider options for wording questions already solved. Cheers Markbassett ( talk) 03:48, 19 May 2018 (UTC) reply

(edit break)

In terms of vote count, with that change it's now 10-10, a dead heat. In terms of arguments, more or less all the editors opposed argue that no mass shooting should be mentioned unless it was committed with a Colt AR-15. On the other hand, this article has a section about AR-15 style rifles in general, and that's where the edit was. No argument has been advanced for why that section should not mention the mass shootings in which (non-Colt) AR-15 rifles were used, other than "that's not the way I want(ed) it." The argument for inclusion is very clear - those mass shootings are mentioned in the lead of the main AR-15 style article, and for a good reason - they are extremely notable, and leaving them out would be a violation of NPOV. Waleswatcher (talk) 19:37, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
You are wrong about "other than that's not the way I want it". It's entirely reasonable to say we don't need to include material that is tangentially related to the subject of the article in this article. As you have been told by several editors, and as the history of the article shows, the AR-15 style rifle section is meant to show how the generic rifle was derived from the Colt rifle. Claiming it was meant to be a summary of the AR-15 style rifle in general is a self serving claim that isn't supported by the edit history of the article and consensus doesn't support making that change to the article. No reason to discuss it further. Springee ( talk) 19:47, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
"the history of the article" (meaning, the way I/other editors wanted it) - why is that even relevant, let alone an argument? Is this article some kind of walled garden that can't be intruded on or changed? That's just not the way wikipedia works.
In an article on Colt AR-15s it clearly makes sense to have a section summarizing AR-15 style rifles in general. The very fact that there is plenty of confusion regarding what is or is not a Colt AR-15 versus "AR-15 style" strengthens that. And if that section is WP:SYNCed to the lead of the AR-15 style article, we can put an end to this seemingly endless debate here. Note that if, at some time, mentions of mass shootings are removed from the lead of the AR-15 style article, they'd be removed here too. So it's a completely neutral proposal in that sense. Waleswatcher (talk) 19:54, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
It's like... deja vu... - wolf 20:05, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Yes, this is very confusing to people who don't know what they are talking about. So, let's make is simple. The "COLT AR-15" is a semi-automatic rifle made by "Colt's Manufacturing Company." The term "AR-15 style rifle" was invented by a handful of Wikipedia editors to describe similar rifles made by other manufactures.-- RAF910 ( talk) 20:24, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Our article was created on 12/12/12, this [28] is from 2 years before, so no we did not invent the term. Slatersteven ( talk) 07:55, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • It's 10-10? Guess what? This isn't a vote. "No argument has been advanced for why..."? Except for all the other times we've discussed this. I'll be blunt here: It's pretty arrogant for you to act like no previous discussions happened. The simple fact is that you've really brought nothing new to the table, yet you demand everyone jump through all your hoops. Niteshift36 ( talk) 20:13, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
"It's 10-10? Guess what? This isn't a vote." My point precisely, thanks for agreeing. The vote is a tie, but the arguments in favor of inclusion (or simply syncing) are much stronger. Anyway, when I get around to it I will take this to a larger audience at the village pump, so there's not much point in continuing to discuss it here now. Waleswatcher (talk) 20:21, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
What I "agree" with is that there's no consensus to add what you want. Now you resort to forum shopping. No shocker there. Niteshift36 ( talk) 21:16, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
As you've already be told, that could be considered forum shopping. And, as you've also already been told, it would probably be more advisable for you to request an uninvolved admin (at WP:ANRFC) to review the discussion here and determine if there is a consensus. Actually, anybody could do that, and in fact, if someone were to go do that, like right now, it just might help bring this... situation... to an end. (I'd do it myself, but... I got a... thing... at the... whatsis... so... busy). - theWOLFchild 20:51, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
AS I see it the above conversation has drawn to a close, we know who thinks what. Now we either need fresh input or an admin to make a decision as to which side has achieved consensus. So it seems to me we either have an RFC to attract fresh eyes (I would prefer there to be an understanding that those of us who have already expressed an opinion are assumed to hold the same opinion unless they change it, so as to not glog up the RFC with the same arguments), or we close. Slatersteven ( talk) 08:10, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply
The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Village pump discussion on "Should the section Colt AR-15#AR-15 style rifle be a copy of the lead of AR-15 style rifle"?

Here. Waleswatcher (talk) 21:31, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply

@ Waleswatcher: I've closed that. And please learn how to properly hold a WP:RFC. If editors wish, I will turn the above conversation into a proper RFC with an appropriate question. -- NeilN talk to me 22:51, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I had actually dropped by the VPP page to request a close. Waleswatcher, aside from forumshopping, VPP is, to quote the big box at the top of this page, "not the place to resolve disputes (emphasis is not mine) over how a policy should be implemented." Mr rnddude ( talk) 22:53, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
@ NeilN: Sorry, but I don't understand the objection here. The question I asked in the village pump is not the same as the debate over an edit I made to that section. I acknowledge they are related, but they are clearly not the same. Nor is there any dispute to resolve. The question is what the policy should be with regard to that subsection - WP:SYNC or something else. Waleswatcher (talk) 22:57, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
@ Waleswatcher: My understanding is that you're trying to clarify whether or not WP:SYNC is a policy that requires the use of summary style in this section, is that correct? – dlthewave 23:03, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
@ Waleswatcher: "That subsection should briefly summarize the AR-15 style rifle page, as is standard. The most important elements of that article should be mentioned (if briefly)." "Should the section Colt AR-15#AR-15 style rifle be a (verbatim or nearly so) copy of the lead of its main article AR-15 style rifle, as per WP:SYNC." Don't be wikilawyering here. Anyone familiar with the situation can see it's a re-framing of the same point. Figure out how to implement SYNC using this talk page. -- NeilN talk to me 23:10, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply

( edit conflict):@ NeilN: - perhaps you could review the existing discussion and straw poll entries to determine if there is already a consensus supporting Ww's requested edit? Then perhaps this can finally be done with, one way or the other. - theWOLFchild 23:21, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply

@ Thewolfchild: No, sorry. I don't think it's good practice for one admin to both judge consensus for content and be implementing sanctions in the same area. Too much "judge, jury, and executioner" for my taste if I have to sanction an editor for editing against a consensus I declared. -- NeilN talk to me 23:30, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply

@ NeilN: "If editors wish, I will turn the above conversation into a proper RFC with an appropriate question." OK, please do so. Thanks. Waleswatcher (talk) 23:38, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply

@ Waleswatcher: Being careful not to invalidate the responses, I will stick closely to your original wording:
Should the Colt AR-15#AR-15 style rifle subsection briefly summarize the content on the AR-15 style rifle page? Specifically, the relation between such rifles and the Colt version, some details on variations, how widespread they are, and most especially their use in mass shootings." -- NeilN talk to me 23:48, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I believe the question I asked on VPP is better because it's more neutral - it doesn't mandate any specific content, just that the section summarizes the lead (added for clarity: irrespective of what it says). And if these two are indeed so similar, it shouldn't hurt to use that one. But, I defer to your wisdom. Waleswatcher (talk) 00:01, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply
NeilN, as posted that question would likely result in an ambiguous response. Consider my position. Based on the history and context of the article that section explains the link between the generic AR pattern rifles and the Colt AR-15 (tm). I support that current scope. That means I would say yes to part of your question, the relation between such rifles and the Colt version, maybe to some, some details on variations, (to the extent that they are different that the original Colt patents) and no to material about crimes/controversies that are related to the generic pattern rifle but not the Colt produced rifles. So such a question wouldn't answer the issue here. Thanks Springee ( talk) 00:09, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply
@ Springee: I can't substantially change what editors have already replied to. You can certainly provide a nuanced response and the closer can find consensus to include certain material only. -- NeilN talk to me 00:17, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply
<edit conflict> @ Springee: Whereas with the VPP version (if this section should copy the AR-15 style lead verbatim) you could simply vote no. Anyway, I realize I'm at least partially at fault for creating this messy situation. Apologies for that. (In my defense, it's not as though wiki policies and guidelines and venues and RfCs and VPPs and ANIs are so easy to navigate...). Waleswatcher (talk) 00:24, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply
@ NeilN - fair enough I get why you wouldn't evaluate the consensus, but as for having someone do it, as opposed to starting another RfC... wouldn't that make sense? There has already been a great deal of discussion and debate over this particular edit, with numerous editors taking part. Instead prolonging this, even trying to start it all over again, I'm thinking that perhaps the consensus to add the edit, or the lack of consensus to add it and just keeping it out, might already be found on this page. Maybe you, or someone could request an uninvolved admin or experienced editor from ANRFC to review this and it could be resolved now, instead of potentially weeks from now. Just a thought. - theWOLFchild 00:27, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply
If the RFC doesn't draw in any new responses after a while then editors can consider asking someone to close. -- NeilN talk to me 02:35, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Waleswatcher, your RfC had a lot of issues but it also had a strong point, the question was black and white. I would summarize your question as, "Y/N; should the section in question be a summary of the generic rifle article?" I largely think that question has already been answered above but that is at least one part of a good RfC. I do get your comment about Wikipedia being hard to navigate at times like these. Often the best way to learn is to see how others do it and largely copy them. You can also ask involved editors to help formulate the question etc. Asking an involved editor (on either 'side') avoids issues of canvassing. My self serving suggestion here would be to let this one go. Their is plenty of fighting friendly constructive debating left to do at the AR-15 style rifle page. Springee ( talk) 00:49, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply

AR

So what is the reason for not saying AR stands for Armalite Rifle in the lead, it not its name an important feature of a product? Slatersteven ( talk) 08:39, 29 June 2018 (UTC) reply

I was wondering the same myself. I was truly surprised to see it removed, with an ineffective Edit summary. One complaint I have heard from gun enthusiasts about those wanting increased controls on guns is that such people are ignorant, and don't know what they are talking about, and even think that AR stands for Assault Rifle. Why not make sure they do know the truth? HiLo48 ( talk) 08:48, 29 June 2018 (UTC) reply
Actually a reason was given (I did not see it until after I posted this) that it is because the TM name is AR and not Armnalite. Slatersteven ( talk) 08:59, 29 June 2018 (UTC) reply
This conversation is becoming silly. I DID NOT say no reason was given, so there is no point you saying "Actually a reason was given". The reason given, the Edit summary, was "Returned to earlier version.". Sorry, that's not a reason. HiLo48 ( talk) 09:10, 29 June 2018 (UTC) reply
OK then allow me to say it is a different way. My objection was because I saw no reason why it was removed, I have now seen a reason why it was removed. Slatersteven ( talk) 09:23, 29 June 2018 (UTC) reply

No splitting history

My edit summary doesn't seem to have populated properly. In short, there's no good reason to split the one line about the Australian long gun restrictions from the rest of the history section. It's a part of the history of the firearm, and we shouldn't be burying it in a section at the bottom. Simonm223 ( talk) 15:54, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

Actually there may be as a notable controversy that changed nations law. It can thus be argued it deserved its own section. Slatersteven ( talk) 16:00, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
If it were expanded into an in depth section it would maybe be warranted. But as a repository for a single-line mention I think it's better in History. I would not oppose an expansion though. Simonm223 ( talk) 16:01, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
I will politely ask @ 72bikers: to self-revert as they are reinserting a reverted edit of an issue currently under discussion at talk. Again. Simonm223 ( talk) 16:07, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Expansion may be a good idea, any suggestions? Slatersteven ( talk) 16:18, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
We could provide some context surrounding the attack, like a one-para summary wikilinking to the main attack article; but also it looks like the use of the word "high capacity" may be unnecessary in that sentence. If I'm reading the source correctly, Australia banned all self-loading rifles and shotguns, not just high-capacity ones. Simonm223 ( talk) 16:26, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Regardless, if we do fork off the section on this facet of the history of the weapon, it should follow immediately after the history section rather than being buried under technical specifications. Simonm223 ( talk) 16:28, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
OK seems good. Slatersteven ( talk) 16:28, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
You are attempting to circumvent the above consensus on this matter. I would remind you that you may be sanction for your actions. Restoring original research is also a sanctionable offense. I could care less of your actions, that would appear to be just trying to get a rise out of me. Your anger would seem to be clouding your judgment, I would advise you to tread lightly. - 72bikers ( talk) 16:52, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
You don't understand how consensus works. What we're doing here is establishing a consensus. The fact that there's a talk topic here where we're discussing revisions to that text is precisely how you're supposed to do this sort of thing. Now if you have something constructive to contribute to this discussion, please do. But cut it out with the veiled threats. WP:BATTLEGROUND exists for a reason. Simonm223 ( talk) 16:54, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
The consensus was about inclusion, not location. I undid an edit that did not only removed OR and I have not undone your removal now that is all you have done (72 bikers). Slatersteven ( talk) 16:59, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
If you choose to get blocked so be it. Have fun with that. You would also appear to be using I'm rubber your glue, as far as warnings. Cheers - 72bikers ( talk) 17:02, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

This is for discussion of improvements to the article, any comments about users have no place here. I am asking all users to stop, you do not issue warnings here. As such I will simply ignore them. Slatersteven ( talk) 17:05, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

Proposed revised text

Section head = Port Arthur massacre, immediately following History section:

From 28-29 April, 1996 Martin Bryant killed 35 people and injured 23 more in a mass shooting which became known as the the Port Arthur massacre, during which he used a Colt AR-15 and a .308 FN rifle. It was one of the deadliest mass shootings in Australian history and resulted in the National Firearms Programme Implementation Act 1996 which restricted the ownership of all self-loading rifles and shotguns. [1] [2] [3] In addition, the Australian government initiated a mandatory "buy-back" scheme with the owners paid according to a table of valuations. Some 643,000 firearms were handed in through this program. [4]

Sources

  1. ^ "Firearms in Australia: a guide to electronic resources". aph.gov.au. Commonwealth of Australia. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  2. ^ "How Australia Passed Gun Control: The Port Arthur Massacre and Beyond". Foreign Affairs. October 13, 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  3. ^ Wahlquist, Calla (14 March 2016). "It took one massacre: how Australia embraced gun control after Port Arthur". The Guardian.
  4. ^ "Firearms Regulations FAQ". Attorney General's Department. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2016.

Thoughts? Simonm223 ( talk) 16:40, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

Yep can go with that. Slatersteven ( talk) 16:59, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose location, OK with content: Rewinding to where this started, I understand it looks odd to have the Port Arthur single sentence hanging out by itself and it does make sense to incorporate it into the history section even though that isn't what typically goes in the history section of a firearms article. The format of firearms articles generally is intro followed by a history of development, followed by operation of the mechanism and typically use/controversies etc towards the end of the article. Basically we say what it is and it's development history first. The politics stuff goes later. Here we had the Port Arthur as a stand alone section which does look odd as a one liner. However, we also have previous debate and consensus regarding how much Port Arthur content should be here vs in the primary article. Consensus only specifically supported the one sentence but as a stand alone section these new changes aren't out of hand so I wouldn't object to the addition. However, if we are going to expand the Port Arthur material then I would say it goes back to the end of the article were it was last week (previous consensus location), not right after history, above operation etc. This order of presentation is something that was discussed previously (but I don't recall if it was here or at the AR-15 article). Springee ( talk) 17:18, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Question What's the rationale for burying the most historically notable thing about the gun at the bottom of the article after a step-by-step on how to break down the gun? That doesn't seem appropriate. Simonm223 ( talk) 17:20, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
First (and not in any particular order) is previous consensus. I don't see that we have consensus to change this. Second, is that we have used this format for many articles so it helps consistency. Third is we have to distinguish between the significance of the event (high) and the significance of the event to the subject of the article (what impact did the shooting have to the subject of the article?). This is a point I've raised a number of times and it's interesting that consensus is very clear on this in other context. My go to example is a combination RfC I was involved with.[ [29]] While the Oklahoma City bombing was without question very notable and the use of a Ford F-600 to carry out the bombing was a critical part of the story, editors were overwhelmingly against inclusion of the bombing in the truck's article. The consensus was clear that in context of the subject the bombing wasn't significant. That same argument is stands here. Springee ( talk) 17:33, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
And there is a world of difference between something being used, and something actually affecting a nations laws. And no and RFC on one topic has no impact on anther topic. Slatersteven ( talk) 17:37, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
( edit conflict)The comparison at the end might hold more weight if Ford F-600s were designed to be bombs. That being said, consensus can change, and I would suggest that a whole class of firearms getting banned in a previously pro-gun jurisdiction as a result of a mass shooting perpetrated with the weapon in question is pretty significant to the history of the gun. Especially immediately following the line above this which deals with the American gun control legislation which briefly affected the sale of this gun. Unless we're suggesting that what happens to regulation in Australia is less notable than what happens to regulation in the United States. Simonm223 ( talk) 17:38, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
(reply to both comments above)SS, the point remains the same, what was the impact to the Colt AR-15? The use of the Colt brand firearm (or even that it was an AR-15 type rifle) isn't widely associated with the crime. Look at the previous RfCs. This wasn't a snowball type RfC favoring inclusion. At the same time, the location was agreed upon after a big RfC so we shouldn't, as just a handful of editors, change that location. Simonm, yes, it's significant in the history of gun laws/ gun control but not as much in terms of the AR-15 itself. There is strong precedent in many articles for the previous layout. Background, what it is, then what happened when it was released. As an other example I was involved with, look at the Ford Pinto article. The Pinto is clearly and widely associated with gas tank fires. As such that was put in the intro but we still retained the traditional vehicle article layout starting with the history of the design, the tech details of the article then what happened once the vehicle was on the road. Springee ( talk) 17:48, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Just to be clear, I'm OK with the text. I just think the earlier order of presentation should be retained. Springee ( talk) 17:49, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
So why then are USA laws there? They can be no more or less significant? Slatersteven ( talk) 17:50, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Exactly, it seems an artificial division to say that subsequently-deprecated firearm legislation in the USA is historically relevant to the gun but firearm legislation in Australia, currently in effect and drafted explicitly in response to the gun is not. Simonm223 ( talk) 17:55, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

*Oppose change this has been discussed to death over and over again. The August 26 version is more than adequate.-- RAF910 ( talk) 17:51, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

I'm not sure how the words "more than adequate" could be applied to cordoning off an important but inconvenient historical event at the bottom of the article where it's less likely to be read when there's equivalent end-results (weapons bans) kept in the history section with a more tenuous connection directly to the weapon in question. Simonm223 ( talk) 18:21, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

Aright, then since you insist on doing this again. Lets start at the beginning..I vote to remove Port Arthur massacre section from the article altogether.-- RAF910 ( talk) 18:28, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

That is not what is being discussed, why is it that US law is considered a vital part of the weapons history but not Australian law? It should not be hard question to answer. Slatersteven ( talk) 18:30, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

We can discuss anything we want here. You have opened the door and I have made my proposal. I vote to remove Port Arthur massacre section from the article altogether.-- RAF910 ( talk) 18:33, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

  • Oppose change: This has been discussed by a large number of editors and a conclusion has been made. Two editors don't get to state they have a consensus among themselves and make drastic changes to a controversial subject.
As to the content and placement my edit would address these issues raised [30] or something to this affect.
Though I would not object to just a see also. - 72bikers ( talk) 18:46, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
See Also seems to be a nice compromise. Although, I reserve the right to make a counter proposal.-- RAF910 ( talk) 18:55, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support location and content: the natural evolution of existing content; would be an improvement. (Perhaps this should be converted to an RfC to draw a wider participation). K.e.coffman ( talk) 18:51, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Yes, let's have another RfC to discuss removing Port Arthur massacre section from the article altogether-- RAF910 ( talk) 18:55, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Is this being proposed as an option? K.e.coffman ( talk) 19:01, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
I am open to an RFC on my proposed revision and placement; however before going out and notifying the appropriate wikiprojects, I'd suggest we hash out exactly what proposals we're putting forward. I would, for obvious reasons, put forward my proposal - location and content - as proposal 1 for the RFC, but if there are any others to include, let's hash that out now. Simonm223 ( talk) 19:08, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
I would suggest we work to come up with a solution rather than starting yet another RfC. Personally I think this would be a bit like forum shopping. We recently closed an RfC on the subject. The material was placed and now that just enough editors have moved on or been blocked etc we are reopening virtually the same discussion. If nothing else, we currently don't have consensus for any change so things should be left alone. However, the concerns that kicked this off were not without merit. Expanding the PA material as Simon suggested seems like a good way to address the "one sentence section" concern. I'm also OK changing the name of the section and moving the 1994 ban material into a common section. However, there is strong precedent in other articles (firearms and others) as to the order of material presentation. Let's not screw with that. Springee ( talk) 19:17, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
If we're going to fork off all the legislative history of the AR-15 from the manufacturing history of the AR-15 then I think it's as important to be clear that the manufacturing history is just that and nothing else. And furthermore, I'd not support the section title of "Banned" as it's vague. However I'd accept this as a compromise.
Section headers 1: Manufacturing history; 2: Operating mechanism; 3: Features; 4: Impact on gun control legislation (including both of the gun ban related topics with my revised text for Port Arthur); 5: AR-15 Style Rifle

6 onward unchanged. Simonm223 ( talk) 19:24, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

Thanks, I think we are getting somewhere. I'm not sure "Impact on gun control legislation" is quite the right heading since I'm not sure the Ar-15 was causal in the 1994 AWB. If I recall that was set off by a crime committed with an AK pattern rifle. What about "Legislation and Prohibitions"? You won't hurt my feelings if you don't like it. Springee ( talk) 19:35, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

72bikers moved both the 1994 AWB info and the Port Arthur material into a common section. I can think of justifications for keeping the AWB material in the history section (since it directly impacted the Colt Ar-15) but I'm indifferent on the location (in a section with PA or history). Springee ( talk) 18:35, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

The Port Arthur massacre had no impact on the history of the Colt AR-15. It did not stop production. It did not force a redesign. All it did was prevent them from being imported into Australia. No differently than the other 170 countries that prohibit the importation of Colt AR-15s. Therefore, it is not worth mentioning. I vote to remove Port Arthur massacre section from the article altogether.-- RAF910 ( talk) 19:13, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Agreed it is a American product. What any one small country does to its own laws has no impact. A see also would be appropriate or at best some small mention as I presented. But clearly the attempt to force the content into the top of the page is not constructive. This has been debated to great lengths with a large number of editor. Were are the new sources that would change the views of its importance to the article. I feel editor are not doing the research needed for such drastic changes and just presenting there personal views. - 72bikers ( talk) 19:30, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Absolutely not. As @ Springee: pointed out, whether or not to include the Port Arthur massacre was just subject to an RFC. Your attempts to piggyback discussion of my revision to that content into another crack at that can is dubious at best. Simonm223 ( talk) 19:34, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Yes it was. I very specifically worded RfC which you are attempting to change. As a result you have opened the door to any other changes or proposals by other editors. I vote to remove Port Arthur massacre section from the article altogether.-- RAF910 ( talk) 19:41, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
A revision does not invalidate the RfC - why the heck do you believe that's at all the case? As in, show your policy sources. Simonm223 ( talk) 19:44, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
So, what your saying is, that only your changes can be discussed and all other proposal violate some unnamed policy. Fascinating. I vote to remove Port Arthur massacre section from the article altogether. It had no impact on the history of the Colt AR-15 and was not the only weapon used that day. If an AK-47 was used instead, the results would had been the same.-- RAF910 ( talk) 20:05, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
The RFC was for inclusion, with a specific text suggested. Nothing in the decision however makes the text sacrosanct, as the question was about inclusion of a mention of the massacre, not the exact wording. However it can be argued that some may well have only said yes on the basis of the text. This however does not affect placement, which was not mentioned in the RFC. So I suggest we stop discussion about inclusion or re-writing of the text and discus only its placement. Slatersteven ( talk) 20:33, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Furthermore, if you were being sincere about these !votes you just !voted three times in a row. Just saying. I mean, I still contend that your argument that any revision of the copy vacates the original RfC to be patently absurd, but regardless, strike through your extra !votes. Simonm223 ( talk) 12:12, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply

Those wishing to challenge the decision of the RFC need to inform all participating parties of the RFC the case has been reopened. Slatersteven ( talk) 20:26, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

  • Support location and content: literally thousands of users come to this article looking for information on AR-15 use in mass shootings and find... nothing. Not only should we expand discussion of the Port Arthur shooting, we should direct users to the AR-15 style rifle page for information on the many others that involved an AR-15 style rifle (other than the Colt). The fact that we don't violates common sense, not to mention NPOV. Waleswatcher (talk) 03:34, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
PA has it's own article which is linked from this one so there is no reason to expand the content further than what is proposed. Linking to the AR-15 mass shooting material would make no sense as was previously discussed. Your claim that literally thousands of readers come here for that information is pure supposition and fails the sniff test. It was previously true when the general AR-15 search term landed here. That is no longer the case. Your comment doesn't justify the location within the article other than suggesting your personal preference while ignoring both previous consensus and the layout that editors have adopted across many similar articles. Finally, your NPOV claim is wrong. As was discussed in the previous RFC(s) the PA shooting is not widely associated with the Colt AR-15 or even AR-15s in general. Most articles don't mention AR-15 at all. Springee ( talk) 09:47, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Springee, it's not supposition, it's fact. Waleswatcher (talk) 21:39, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support content, oppose "section header" - It gives undue prominence to cordon a couple sentences into its own section. This was a significant event in Australian history. The key words here "Australian history". It shouldn't have it's own section at all. I've been baffled as to why a one sentence paragraph is given its own personal header up to this point. I'd noted it ages ago, but couldn't be bothered questioning it. It would seem most logical to me for the Port Arthur massacre to be incorporated into the history section. There's nothing about this episode in Australian history that makes it more significant than the sum of it's history in the U.S. or the rest of the world. Mr rnddude ( talk) 10:39, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support content, oppose "section header" The content seems overall fine. I would oppose it having it's own section though. I agree with Springee and Mr rnddude that it should just be in the history section, not it's own section. It was an important even, that is why it is in the article, but not so much to need it's own section. That gives it to much weight given the history of the rifle. I also strongly disagree with the argument "literally thousands of users come to this article looking for information on AR-15 use in mass shootings" that makes little to no sense. First if someone is looking for information on the AR-15 the search on wikipedia goes to AR-15 style rifle by default not here. Also when they go to that article it has a section on mass shootings there, because that is the proper place for it. Now if they are looking for information about this specific mass shooting, well that would take them to Port Arthur massacre (Australia) which would have all the info they need there. If they are coming here to find out about either of those they have done a wrong. PackMecEng ( talk) 11:46, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
I may be wrong but I think Springee thinks it should be in its won section, and not part of the general history. Slatersteven ( talk) 12:04, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
I think that's the case. Also as a note as the original proposer, my original intention was to include the Port Arthur information into the general history section; my compromise of expansion + split was precisely that. But if the consensus emerges that it should be fully integrated into history I will be supportive. Simonm223 ( talk) 12:09, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
The history section is generally for the development an production history of the rifle. If the PA material is just a single sentence then I agree it's odd to have it in a stand alone section and 'history' is an ok place for it in that case. The proposed version is long enough that I'm ok with it being a stand alone. It isn't a reasonable part of the design/development/production history of the rifle. I want to respect the order of information on the article. The first sections are about the gun itself, not the impact the gun had on the market or others. If the material is stand alone it should remain where it is. Also, previously a question was asked why the 1994 AWB material was in the history section. It's a fair question and an argument certainly can be made that it didn't belong in a development history section. However, that ban did impact the production and design of the product and this is the backdrop for design/production changes. This it is reasonable to mention it there just as we might mention running changes to a car to meet new emissions requirements. As a compromise I think moving the AWB info in with the PA discussion was ok but I also think they can logically be discussed separately. So if we expand the PA material it shouldn't be added into the current history section (or as a subsection). Keep it in the current location. If it stays with current content then I'm ok moving it to history. Springee ( talk) 14:00, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support content and location - The proposed text is more informative than the current version and is still a very short paragraph. I would also support including it as a subsection of History. – dlthewave 12:25, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply

Both For 3 or 4 (does the nominator support?) Against 2

Content For 3 Against 0

Location in history (rather than own section) For 2 Against 1

I am not sure this is a clear enough consensus for us to change it. Slatersteven ( talk) 15:57, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply

I figured it was strong enough to at least supplant the late-August version as a working version pending fine-tuning to the section header issue. Nobody has brought up any substantive concerns with the content. But if people prefer to leave that version up for now until we get more comments in I'm fine to leave it alone for a few days. Simonm223 ( talk) 16:24, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Yes I would like it left a few days, this is not enough time for everyone to see this. Slatersteven ( talk) 16:28, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
I think a bit of waiting is good. Also, I'm not for or against the text change. I'm OK in that I won't protest the change but I'm also fine with the current text. As for location again that is depending on context. I'm OK in the history section if we move the Aug 26th text into the history section as is. If we expand it then no, it should stay later in the article in either its own section or a section combined with other related material. At this point I would say we are getting close to a consensus on content but no consensus on location. Springee ( talk) 17:33, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Comment The proposed text is crap. Not so much its spirit, but the writing. For starters, the first word should surely be "On", not "from". And maybe better expressed altogether. The dates with a dash could be confusing. The event wasn't "one of the deadliest mass shootings in Australian history". It was "THE deadliest". As an Australian, I would also like to see more than just the legal specifics. It wasn't just the law that changed. It was a whole culture. Whenever Australians are surveyed on it now, the new gun laws are shown to be extremely popular. HiLo48 ( talk) 23:45, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
I think HiLo48 makes some good editorial comments. I'm not sure the best way to start the sentence. I don't think "On 28-29 April..." is correct either but I could be wrong. I agree that "From..." sounds odd. Also agree that it should be "the deadliest..." I understand the wish to include more information but that is why there is a link to the primary article for additional information and details. Springee ( talk) 01:21, 6 September 2018 (UTC) reply
We should not add too much information about this, this is not about the massacre. Slatersteven ( talk) 08:55, 6 September 2018 (UTC) reply
"On" is definitely grammatically incorrect for addressing a sequence of days. If the massacre was about a specific day that'd be different. Most of the rest of the text was boosted directly from the lede of the massacre article including the dashed date and "one of the deadliest." However, how's this for a revision:
Between 28 and 29 April, 1996 Martin Bryant killed 35 people and injured 23 in the Port Arthur massacre, during which he used a Colt AR-15 and a .308 FN rifle. It was the deadliest mass shooting in Australian history and resulted in the National Firearms Programme Implementation Act 1996 which restricted the ownership of all self-loading rifles and shotguns. [1] [2] [3] In addition, the Australian government initiated a mandatory "buy-back" scheme with the owners paid according to a table of valuations. Some 643,000 firearms were handed in through this program. [4] This incident had a lasting impact on Australian culture, substantially changing the public perception toward firearm ownership. [new ref supporting this statement] Simonm223 ( talk) 12:13, 6 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Sources

  1. ^ "Firearms in Australia: a guide to electronic resources". aph.gov.au. Commonwealth of Australia. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  2. ^ "How Australia Passed Gun Control: The Port Arthur Massacre and Beyond". Foreign Affairs. October 13, 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  3. ^ Wahlquist, Calla (14 March 2016). "It took one massacre: how Australia embraced gun control after Port Arthur". The Guardian.
  4. ^ "Firearms Regulations FAQ". Attorney General's Department. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
I would keep the last part off. The "lasting impact" pushes the paragraph into the politics and social views on gun ownership and away from the basic facts of the case. Even some of the details like the use of a valuation table may be too much detail for this article but not enough to make a fuss about one way or the other. Springee ( talk) 13:13, 6 September 2018 (UTC) reply
I'm not wedded to it. I was trying to address HiLo48's concern. But on those rare occasions you and Slatersteven agree, chances are it's an idea worth considering, ;) I'm happy enough to leave it off it that's what consensus prefers. Simonm223 ( talk) 13:16, 6 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Entirely over detailed for this article. - 72bikers ( talk) 15:34, 6 September 2018 (UTC) reply
It's evident that the consensus is that either the statement should be expanded beyond a single sentence or it should be incorporated into the history header. Are you saying you would support inclusion of the extant copy into the history header rather than expanding? Because me trying to do that is what kicked off this whole discussion and back then you were adamantly opposed to that. Simonm223 ( talk) 15:51, 6 September 2018 (UTC) reply
If it is one sentence I think it should not have its own section, it just looks off and over empathizes it. Slatersteven ( talk) 09:07, 7 September 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Simonm223 put the consensus text into the article. Since it was put in as a stand alone section I've moved it after the description of the rifle itself. This is consistent with many other articles on Wikipedia (what is it followed by its larger impact). Also I don't think we had a consensus to move the stand alone section to just after history. This also makes the layout consistent with the FN rifle article, FN_FAL, and L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle article. The FN page doesn't mention the Port Arthur shooting at all but this may be a case of common origin but one is the licensed version of the other. The L1A1(which is linked from the Port Arthur shooting page) only very briefly mentions the shooting at only at the end of the article in context of civilian ownership. This begs the question why the L1A1 rifle page is treated differently vs the AR-15 page. The relative use of each rifle is unclear. It would seem reasonable to synchronize the two articles. Springee ( talk) 13:04, 20 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Springee, brings up valid points. - 72bikers ( talk) 15:20, 20 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Possibly because we do not mention any laws affecting it in its history section? Slatersteven ( talk) 15:26, 20 September 2018 (UTC) reply

Port Arthur heading

@ Simonm223:, @ ProntComando:, I think ProntoComando is correct in that we don't need a hot link in the title because it exists in the first sentence of the section. Per MOS:DL we should just have one link. Does it make more sense to keep the link in the section header or the intro sentence? Springee ( talk) 18:29, 3 October 2018 (UTC) reply

My personal preference is to keep it in the section header - from a usability perspective. Simonm223 ( talk) 18:30, 3 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • According to the MOS:HEAD guideline, section headings should not contain links. I prefer the standard practice of using a "main article" template directly below the heading. In this case the section is so short that it make sense to link the first mention within the section. – dlthewave 20:28, 3 October 2018 (UTC) reply
@ Springee:, @ Simonm223: Thanks for the acknowledgment Springee, don't make sense to have two links of a same article in the same section, for me the link should be in the intro sentence, which would seem more natural, when the reader is reading, he will access the link to know more, don't make sense to place the link in the section header if the reader did not read the text.-- ProntComando ( talk) 21:09, 3 October 2018 (UTC) reply
Clear case of overlink. - 72bikers ( talk) 23:42, 3 October 2018 (UTC) reply
I agree it is not needed. Slatersteven ( talk) 08:54, 4 October 2018 (UTC) reply
I disagree about where to position it because, from a design perspective, links in headers are more immediately visible and it's a short enough section to be visible throughout. But it's not a hill I'm prepared to die on. Simonm223 ( talk) 12:11, 4 October 2018 (UTC) reply
consider me trouted
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
I see @ 72bikers: eventually got around to editing it. I will point out that this consensus had not formed at the time I made the edit, and their pointed edit summary was rather disregarding the sequence of events. I have no intention of edit warring over it though, never fear. Simonm223 ( talk) 15:40, 10 October 2018 (UTC) reply
And he was right, there was no consensus for your "compromise". Slatersteven ( talk) 15:56, 10 October 2018 (UTC) reply
Yeah, you'll notice I'm not putting it back. And you'll notice at the time I did it, it was immediately after Springee first pinged me. IE: before the current consensus arose. It was an attempt at a compromise. The fact that attempt was rejected by consensus is neither here nor there. Simonm223 ( talk) 15:58, 10 October 2018 (UTC) reply
My grouse is that as 72bikers waited six days to actually action the decision they supported, and then threw a highly pointed edit summary on it; their response was not really apropos. Had I been going down the WP:1AM rabbit hole or engaged in even the faintest hint of edit warring after the discussion concluded that'd be different. I did neither of those things. And since my complaint is with their edit summary rather than their edit itself I had little recourse other than to grumble at talk. Simonm223 ( talk) 16:02, 10 October 2018 (UTC) reply
Then report it, this is not the place to grouse about other eds actions. Slatersteven ( talk) 16:13, 10 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Correct or incorrect, Simon's edits were all in good faith. Springee ( talk) 22:57, 10 October 2018 (UTC) reply

Specifying "civilian" in the description

It's WP:WEASEL plain and simple. It's an attempt to introduce a specific POV about the weapon and I question how WP:DUE it is. Simonm223 ( talk) 12:30, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply

Agreed. What makes it "civilian grade" apart from being semi-automatic? If there is in fact some other specific characteristic that makes it "civilian grade", the article should report that feature, not use vague ill-defined terms. Waleswatcher (talk) 12:47, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply

That is a fair question. The general AR-15 does have a section that specifically address this question. That material should probably also be added here since it 100% applies. Springee ( talk) 12:54, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • I don't think the impact to the article is significant one way or the other. The sourcing we have does support adding the civilian claim though it would be better to say civilian and law enforcement since that follows the source Red Rock Canyon mentioned. It is very clear based on the evidence that Colt created the semi auto rifle to be able to sell it outside of the restrictions on sales of full auto rifles. Like I said, I'm indifferent on the change but I, respectfully, don't agree with Simonm223's argument for the reversal. Springee ( talk) 12:50, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • The AR-15 was developed specifically for the civilian market rather than military. It is an important distinction. PackMecEng ( talk) 12:51, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
Agreed, and the article should say so clearly and in plain language. Waleswatcher (talk) 13:02, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
What language would be more plain than civilian? PackMecEng ( talk) 13:08, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • While we may also differ on whether law enforcement should be considered "civilian," I will suggest that with no contextualization, just calling it a "civilian" weapon is POV pushing compared to your more nuanced created to be able to sell it outside of the restrictions on sales of full auto rifles. I would not object to a statement that said that. But a statement that just calls the weapon "civilian" is not doing that. Simonm223 ( talk) 12:54, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
    • See that statement goes the other way on POV pushing. I think every source talking about the history of the AR-15, even modern ones, talk about it as a rifle developed for the civilian market. [31] [32] [33] PackMecEng ( talk) 13:07, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
      • Again, all I'm asking is that the statement be more contextualized than a single-word reference. I provided Springee's statement here at talk as an example of contextualization. Simonm223 ( talk) 13:09, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply

I made an edit that essentially just moved the phrase about civilian and law enforcement markets to the previous sentence. I think it reads better that way anyway, and hopefully it's OK with people here and addresses this point (if not revert or edit, obviously). Waleswatcher (talk) 13:12, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply

  • I'm sort of indifferent on the change. I just thought that Simonm's initial reason for removing the text was simply wrong, since there were sources in the article supporting the language. I think the current lead works well with changes by Waleswatcher. Red Rock Canyon ( talk) 13:18, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
( edit conflict) Grumpy Monday Simon is grumpy, but yeah, that provides at least some context and doesn't lead to WP:WEASLE doubling of the phrase "civilian". I don't think I'll ever get satisfaction on the "we need to stop treating police - excluding those in the Federal services - as not-civilian" as long as I live on this continent, but that's a whole other kettle of rather particularly pedantic fish. Simonm223 ( talk) 13:20, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • I didn't include this in my earlier comment but I think we should add a section that outlines the differences between the civilian and military versions of the rifles. Colt made a number of changes to make sure the semi-auto rifles couldn't be readily converted to fully auto by swapping in a few parts from an automatic version. Here is the section in the AR-15 article. [ [34]] I would suggest copying this over (with tractability to the other article). Springee ( talk) 13:43, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply

.

  • If everyone else is good with the "civilian and law-enforcement customers" I am fine with it. Also with Springee's suggestion I think that would be a good idea as well to give addition clarifications of the technical differences. Though I am not sure if it should be here or the general AR article, since it is something all the AR variants does. Then again it is what Colt specifically developed for it. I do not know the best answer. PackMecEng ( talk) 14:08, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
I think we can start with a straight up copy of content here. Colt was the company that actually did the work and it was done when the patents were still active. The generic rifles simply copied the choices Colt had made. It's good information to have in both. As I said, in this article, well Colt did the actual work. In the generic article, the one that probably gets more traffic, it's still good background information for readers. If that information were located only here many readers would likely not find it/read it after reviewing the AR-15 page. Springee ( talk) 14:11, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
I have no objection to including that, although I think it would be a good idea to double-check and make sure the info is accurate and doesn't overstate the differences. Waleswatcher (talk) 15:57, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
The main difference is the machining for the trigger group. The pocket is smaller and missing some holes on an AR and will not fit the trigger that allows for select fire. PackMecEng ( talk) 16:07, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
OK, I added the text with a few changes as outlined in the edit comment. Springee ( talk) 17:27, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply

Pittsburgh synagogue

I would have thought it was obvious to every reasonable person that this article needs a mention of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. It's about as notable as it gets - reportedly it was the most deadly attack on Jews in the USA in history. Many gun articles - including this one - include sections on their use in notable shootings. So, what on earth is the argument against inclusion? Waleswatcher (talk) 13:16, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply

Just because the gun is notable to the shooting does not mean the shooting is notable to the gun. Your edit has been challenged, please do not edit war to reinsert the material. This event occurred just days ago. Let's at least wait for more sources as the story develops. Red Rock Canyon ( talk) 13:20, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
It does seem like WP:RECENTISM currently. And it is now referenced at Mass shootings in the United States as one of the 20 deadliest. We can wait a few weeks to see if the fact that, yet again, a bigot with a rifle used said rifle to kill a lot of people, again, leads to any discussion of the rifle or just the shooter's bigotry. Simonm223 ( talk) 13:25, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
It already has led to discussion of the rifle, on radio and TV news (I've heard it myself), and here are some print links ("Menendez...says the shooting shows the need for gun control legislation and a new assault weapons ban.") from 60 seconds of googling. It's all over the place. Waleswatcher (talk) 13:33, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support taking a wait and see approach. Red Rock is also correct, it's not clear that this tragedy is going to have an impact on the rifle. Springee ( talk) 13:38, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
Unsure about this, OK it may be the most deadly attack on US Jews, but not sure that is really a feature of the AR-15 (given the low casualty figures). Slatersteven ( talk) 14:30, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply
"low casualty figures"??? Wtf? Eleven people murdered is "low casualties"? The only excuse I can imagine for such a comment is the distorted view you might get from discussing this stuff with the editors that frequent these pages. Maybe you need to take a step back and try to think about this from the point of view of someone not heavily involved. Waleswatcher (talk) 18:12, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply
OK, so what is the average number of victims in a shooting involving an AR-15?, what is fact is the lowest number? Here is a clue, it just scrapes in to the top 20 (along with three others). So yes by US standards not that really that deadly, there are 19 more deadly. Slatersteven ( talk) 18:15, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply
(Edit conflict) Dunno, and I doubt that's even a well-posed question. The point is that this was a horrific, extremely notable event that is certain to have consequences for years into the future. I suppose if the Colt AR-15 had been used for many such events (like AR-15 style rifles in general may have been) there could be a case made to not include each one individually. But that's not the case for the Colt, so there is no such argument. Waleswatcher (talk) 18:21, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply
I doubt will have have any more impact then the 19 more deadly shootings ever have. Unlike port Arthur no laws will change, at best (or worse) there will be thoughts and prayers from those wit the power to do something. No do I think it's notability will last, give it a few more months and another mass shooting will occur and this one will lose its "appeal", which may well break records (as most seem to when an AR-15 is involved). Slatersteven ( talk) 18:26, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Why? Mass shootings in the USA are unexceptional. Use of AR-15s and variants likewise. Andy Dingley ( talk) 18:25, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Comment I mean I don't think anybody is trying to dispute how absolutely abnormal and shocking it is that the United States has had such a stark increase in mass shooting incidents with fourteen shootings claiming ten or more victims, including six of the ten deadliest shootings in modern US history occurring in the last ten years. But the fact that the country next door is literally half-way to the operating definition of an armed conflict counting only mass shooting deaths in the last 10 years isn't what we're adjudicating here. Mass shootings should be exceptional, and in any sane country we would be. But this article isn't about a sane country. It's about a weapon beloved by an insane country. Simonm223 ( talk) 18:36, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply

Lets not soapbox too much. Slatersteven ( talk) 18:44, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply

Statements like Mass shootings in the USA are unexceptional really upset me. If that soapbox was too much I'll willingly self-revert. Simonm223 ( talk) 18:46, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply

You shouldn't self-revert because what you wrote is self-evident. The problem here isn't you, it's the editors that fight tooth and nail to prevent wikipedia from mentioning the fact that these weapons are responsible for horrific mass murders. I'm sick and tired of it, and I hope the wider community will take note. Waleswatcher (talk) 18:49, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply

This article does mention the fact, we just do not have to list every one. And given your attitude above I cannot support the inclusion of this material, and will now bow out. Slatersteven ( talk) 18:56, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply
What does my attitude have to do with whether or not the material should be included in the article? That's supposed to be based on wiki policy, which in this case warrants inclusion per NPOV. Waleswatcher (talk) 19:37, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply

Reporting on the use of a rifle

This reporting suggests that the suspect used the rifle. The reference is a bit oblique, but I don't think that the police would have confused a high-powered rifle ("automatic weapon" and "AK") with a handgun.

There are no laws in Pennsylvania that would have prevented Mr. Bowers from owning the guns, including the assault weapon that confronted police who first responded to the shooting. (...) The power of the rifle used in Saturday’s massacre was chillingly revealed in frantic calls over police radio as the killing unfolded. “We’re under fire, we’re under fire. He’s got an automatic weapon. He’s firing out of the front of the synagogue,” came one call over the police radio. “We are pinned down by gunfire.”

Post Gazette. From another report that contains police communications it's clear that the rifle was used. An officer can be heard: "We are taking AK-47 fire from the front of the synagogue". Another, upon entering the building: "We have a spent magazine, looks like a high-powered AK, middle hallway". USA Today story with audio. K.e.coffman ( talk) 01:17, 2 November 2018 (UTC) reply

From a WP:DUE perspective I mainly want to wait and see if the rifle becomes a significant part of the story surrounding this shooting. However from a structural perspective, it should not be added to the sentence about the ten most deadly shootings as it is not one of the ten deadliest shootings in modern US history. Simonm223 ( talk) 11:49, 2 November 2018 (UTC) reply

You guys do know that AK-47s and AR-15s are completely different rifles?-- RAF910 ( talk) 05:57, 6 November 2018 (UTC) reply

Which is irrelevant as only one user has supported inclusion. Slatersteven ( talk) 11:12, 6 November 2018 (UTC) reply
Agreed. There's no relevance to this line of discussion; regardless of whether the weapon was an AK or an AR, almost nobody thinks its use in this particular tragedy is WP:DUE to the weapon yet. Simonm223 ( talk) 14:09, 6 November 2018 (UTC) reply

RAF910, yes of course. The point of that quote is that the police reported they were being fired at with a rifle as opposed to a handgun, which establishes the AR was in fact used. As for WP:DUE, Simonm223 is incorrect - I at least believe it is DUE, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone. Waleswatcher (talk) 22:19, 6 November 2018 (UTC) reply

A Commons file used on this page has been nominated for deletion

The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page has been nominated for deletion:

Participate in the deletion discussion at the nomination page. — Community Tech bot ( talk) 19:51, 26 April 2019 (UTC) reply

Pittsburgh synagogue shooting (reprise)

Half a year later, and there are multiple RSs that state a Colt AR-15 was used in the shooting [35] [36] [37]. Moreover, Pittsburgh passed a regulation that bans the use of assault weapons in response [38]. This addresses the concerns raised earlier (that it was hard to find RSs that stated the AR was used, and that its use might not be considered consequential or important), and so I'd like to add some information on it to the mass shooting section of the article. Waleswatcher (talk) 01:07, 27 April 2019 (UTC) reply

While it is certainly interesting that they passed a law for that city. The article does say that it violates state law and federal law there to do so. Also generally the consequential or impact of such a law is at a national level not a specific city. For example what Australia did. But overall I am undecided on it right now, I would like to hear some other opinions on the matter. PackMecEng ( talk) 01:49, 27 April 2019 (UTC) reply
None of the above sources say "Colt" and they are general to the AR-15 style rifle, not "Colt AR-15". The impact to the "Colt AR-15" hasn't been shown. It's not clear this has had a lasting impact on the Colt rifle or it's notoriety. Conversely, it's part of the general din related to the AR-15 style rifle news. Springee ( talk) 03:09, 27 April 2019 (UTC) reply
Tend to agree, this might have a place on the article about the type of rifle, not an specific model. Slatersteven ( talk) 08:35, 27 April 2019 (UTC) reply
The rifle was a Colt AR-15, that's why we had this discussion in the first place here after it happened. Here are the first three sources from a google search: [39] [40] [41] Waleswatcher (talk) 11:56, 28 April 2019 (UTC) reply
Not to sure the first source passes muster, but yes we have sources saying Cult ar-15, so do with have any sources that say it was not? Slatersteven ( talk) 11:58, 28 April 2019 (UTC) reply
Do we have any sources that say this crime is associated with the rifle? That is how does this crime have an impact on the rifle? It seems most reports about this crime talk about the rifle as a generic AR-15, not as a Colt product. Are there any sources about the rifle that mention this crime? Springee ( talk) 13:55, 28 April 2019 (UTC) reply
What's the reason for your question? Is there any wiki policy that requires such a source?Waleswatcher (talk) 14:56, 28 April 2019 (UTC) reply
My question goes to WEIGHT. Weight says we follow in proportion, "to its treatment in the body of reliable, published material on the subject." So it's already questionable on grounds that sources about the subject of this article don't mention this crime. Even if we ignore that it's clear that articles about the crime don't focus on and more often than not don't mention "Colt". That doesn't establish weight. The "law change" on which you are justifying inclusion was part of the firearms project page. A RfC made it clear it's only a suggestion, not a binding rule. Furthermore it seems this would be a stretched interpretation even were it a rule. Springee ( talk) 15:47, 28 April 2019 (UTC) reply

The Pittsburgh shooting has received wide RS coverage, including reliable sources that associate the Colt AR-15 with the crime. I see no reason not to add it to the Criminal Use paragraph. Sources don't have to focus on the Colt AR-15; an article about a crime that mentions the weapon would indeed fall into the body of work that has been written about the weapon.

We don't typically assess WP:WEIGHT by comparing the proportion of coverage to everything that has ever been written about the overall topic. This would exclude all sorts of details throughout the article: Do most sources about the Colt AR-15 mention minutiae such as the "duckbill" being prone to vegetation entanglement or the specifics of its bolt operation? Have these things been shown to have an effect on or significant association with this specific weapon or does that standard only apply to criminal use? If we were writing an article about Barack Obama or Donald Trump, would we ignore their pre-presidential lives since nearly all that has been written focuses on their presidencies? – dlthewave 23:20, 28 April 2019 (UTC) reply

Dl, the association between the "Colt AR-15", not just the generic AR-15 style rifle has almost no coverage. Again look at what Weight actually says. I'm not suggesting we compare all sources about the Colt AR-15 with those that mention this crime to establish weight. I'm asking if any sources about the Colt AR-15 mention this crime. What impact do you think this has had on the Colt AR-15? Springee ( talk) 23:28, 28 April 2019 (UTC) reply
I haven't assessed the impact on the weapon because I'm unaware of any policy or guideline that requires it. How do you define a source as being "about the Colt AR-15"? As I mentioned before, I believe that sources about the crime which mention the weapon fall into the body of what has been written about the Colt AR-15. – dlthewave 23:43, 28 April 2019 (UTC) reply
Springee wrote: even if we ignore that it's clear that articles about the crime don't focus on and more often than not don't mention "Colt" and the association between the "Colt AR-15", not just the generic AR-15 style rifle has almost no coverage. That's as clear as mud. Where did you get "more often than not"? Have you checked all the articles? Unless you have, please don't pretend otherwise. Then, in posts separated by about eight hours you went from "more often than not" to "almost no coverage". What evidence caused you to change your mind?
The facts are, I linked above to the top three results in a google search (I forget the exact search terms), all three of which mention that the rifle was a Colt. I just did another search, "pittsburgh shooting gun used", and of the top three news articles that came up, one [42] just refers to "AR 15", one [43] says the rifle used was a Colt, and one [44] details the history of the AR, talks about Colt, and if anything makes it sound as though Colt is the only manufacturer of AR 15 style rifles. There are plenty of RSs about the Pittsburgh shooting that mention the Colt AR 15, and that establishes weight according to wiki guidelines. Waleswatcher (talk) 13:35, 29 April 2019 (UTC) reply
I did a search for "Pittsburgh synagogue shooting" and looked at the first 5 hits. Only two mentioned "AR-15" at all. CNN did say Colt along with the brands of the other guns. It didn't focus on it. So no, I don't think you have shown a associative link between the crime and the rifle. CNN seems to be mentioning it just as a standard bit of information but isn't tying any meaning to it being a "Colt" vs some other brand. BI, as you said, was talking about the history of the AR-15 not calling out that this was special because it was a "Colt" product. I would note that a similar debate now twice found that the S&W M&P-15 article shouldn't include discussion of a similar crime. Springee ( talk) 13:45, 29 April 2019 (UTC) reply
OK - so "more often than not" and "almost no coverage" were baseless assertions, since you've disproven the second and implicitly admitted that you had no basis for the first (if not, go ahead and show us your research). Please avoid such unfounded hyperbolic statements in the future. CNN seems to be mentioning it just as a standard bit of information but isn't tying any meaning to it being a "Colt" vs some other brand. This is a novel argument, at least for me. What is the basis for assuming that a source isn't "tying any meaning" to information it gives about an event? Waleswatcher (talk) 14:43, 29 April 2019 (UTC) reply
3 of 5 didn't mention AR-15 at all. Sorry, you haven't shown the impact or linkage to this firearm to establish weight. You continue to ignore the words of WEIGHT, "published material on the subject." Springee ( talk) 15:18, 29 April 2019 (UTC) reply
Springee, by making false (""almost no coverage") and/or unsupported ("more often than not", "isn't tying any meaning to") assertions, and repeatedly declining to answer questions ("What is the basis for assuming that a source isn't "tying any meaning" to", "How do you define a source as being "about the Colt AR-15"?") about your arguments, you're giving the impression that you are engaging in tendentious editing, specifically Wikipedia:Tendentious_editing#Disputing_the_reliability_of_apparently_good_sources and Wikipedia:Tendentious_editing#Ignoring_or_refusing_to_answer_good_faith_questions_from_other_editors. Weight is already established by the many RSs that report that a Colt AR-15 was used in this attack, not to mention those that report that as a result, it and similar weapons were banned by Pittsburgh and those that connect it to other mass shootings.Waleswatcher (talk) 16:15, 29 April 2019 (UTC) reply
I'm not sure how you can be made happy in this case. You used a narrow search for the type of weapon used in the crime and based your view that weight has been established on that. I used a more general search for the crime and found a different result. We are going round and round at this point. Accusing me of bad faith isn't going to help and I would ask you to consider if the accusations are even valid. I have never claimed your RS's are mistaken or aren't reliable, rather I've questioned that they established WEIGHT for inclusion in this article. I've answered your questions but you don't like the answers. At the same time you have refused to address my concerns such as why no articles about the Colt AR-15 discuss this crime (see the language in WEIGHT). Please also consider the similar case discussed here Talk:Smith_&_Wesson_M&P15#Request_for_comment:_add_three_instances_of_criminal_use. You feel Weight has been established but that isn't established as the consensus view. Your view is based on an assumption that Weight for inclusion here is established by articles about the crime mentioning the rifle. However, such attempts to establishments of weight have been questioned and failed to gain consensus in the past. I don't think either of us will change the opinion of the other so perhaps our best plan is to sit back and let others weigh in. Springee ( talk) 17:21, 29 April 2019 (UTC) reply

ROF

Stop reverting and discus. Slatersteven ( talk) 15:12, 28 February 2020 (UTC) reply

Note until someone one makes a case either way I will revert to the original. Slatersteven ( talk) 11:06, 29 February 2020 (UTC) reply

  • I'm not sure where the original came from. where is the source? Aside from that, other reliable sources don't support this 800 number. Vox, hardly a pro-gun website, says that the fully auto M16 has a cyclic rate of 840. Also "Bushmaster has estimated that the XM-15, its variant on the AR-15, can fire 45 rounds per minute; Wired’s Greenberg puts the number closer to 80 to 100. A shooter using a 10- or 30-round magazine might shoot fewer due to the time spent reloading.". They further point out "According to analysis by the New York Times, in the Orlando Pulse shooting, the gunman used a semiautomatic Sig Sauer MCX rifle and fired 24 shots in nine seconds, for a rate of fire of 160 rounds per minute." [45] Wired magazine, while describing devices like a hellfire trigger says "That can allow a shooter to easily fire hundreds of rounds a minute, compared to the 80 or 100 shots or so the average shooter could manage with normal trigger squeezes." [46] I'm sure we can find more, but this should be enough to at least remove the unsourced number and discus a change. Niteshift36 ( talk) 19:18, 2 March 2020 (UTC) reply


Coment

Wile I believe proactive discloser of others personal opinions to be an important part of WP:NPOV you should never ask me to recuse myselves (how do you expect me to fead my narcissism) from a discussion on the basis of my point of views.

To do so contravenes WP:NPA.(because i say soo)

It does not matter if I go to a article for the first time and speak to people like this when i want to remove this content(oppiset of my opionoin) that states AR 15 are not the weapon of choices for mass murders

"A study [1] by Dr. Fox a professor of criminology, and statistics assembled by Mother Jones on mass shootings from 1982-2018 show the weapon of choice overwhelmingly is semi-auto handguns, and a very common misconception is that AR-15's or similar rifles were preferred. AR-15's specifically in the last 35 years have only been used in 14 mass shootings. [2] Rifles have been used 25 percent of time in mass shootings, semi-auto handguns almost half of the time.[64][65][66]" [3] [4] [5]

"I removed it because it was literal nonsense. I suggest you self-revert." Simonm223 (talk) 20:35, 23 August 2018 (UTC) [47]

"I reverted a literally illiterate and confounding paragraph(or just three senteces whatever). It was a mess. But whatever." Simonm223 (talk) 20:33, 23 August 2018 (UTC) [48]

"Ok, going forward I will refer to the edit with the word I meant, even though it's a little bit less kind. It was illiterate." Simonm223 (talk) 10:55, 24 August 2018 (UTC) [49]

"Its "un-intelligibility"(made up word so what I am still smarterr than use) lies in its complete failure with regard to grammar. Thus illiterate seems apropos. I decided to go with illegible, IE: impossible to read, because it seemed slightly kinder. But notwithstanding my word choice the edit is still galling and WP:CIR still applies." Simonm223 (talk) 11:04, 24 August 2018 (UTC) [50]

Aand there is no problem with after more than a month of claiming i have no bias, proclaim my true point of view. "This general type of firearm is a people-killer designed to kill humans and I sometimes question why some people devote so much time to defending its dubious honour." Simonm223 (talk) 17:50, 27 September 2018 (UTC) [51]

To claim that a persons POV make them incapable of serving the neatral goal of Wikipedia is to make the false claim that some peoples are inherently neatral and lady justice is blind. (my vast expeence says this is impoable)

if i your superior can not be neatral then none of you infearars can be.

Such a people does not exist.(I says so therefor it is fact)

EG: centrism is unnecessary and i got my bed buddy to bail me out anyway. [52] Simonm223 (talk) 12:27 , 7 February 2020 (UTC)

This talk page is not about you, and I have no idea how the above is about improving the article. Slatersteven ( talk) 07:33, 4 April 2020 (UTC) reply

References

  1. ^ Todd, Michael (December 23, 2013). "The Simple Facts About Mass Shootings Aren't Simple at All". Pacific Standard. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  2. ^ Cummings, William (February 15, 2018). "Why the AR-15 keeps appearing at America's deadliest mass shootings". USA Today. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  3. ^ "US Mass Shootings, 1982-2018: Data From Mother Jones' Investigation". Mother Jones. June 28, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  4. ^ Schildkraut, Jaclyn (February 22, 2016). "Mass Shootings: Media, Myths, and Realities: Media, Myths, and Realities". ABC-CLIO. ISBN  978-1-4408-3652-7. Retrieved August 20, 2018. {{ cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= ( help)
  5. ^ "Criminology Professor to CNN's Tapper: Mass Shootings Aren't an 'Epidemic'". Media Research Center. Retrieved August 20, 2018.

Use in mass shootings

I've gone ahead and made a revision of my own to the section, on the basis that it shows an obvious bias towards this particular item in general as opposed to the countless and various other firearms, of identifiable and distinctive make/model, that have also been used in Mass Shootings. These pages are supposed to highlight the subject matter itself and not sidetrack or show bias towards one or the other. If we are going to include excerpts towards mass shootings for one firearm, we must do them for all or for none.

Hopefully my reasoning is sound! If not I am open to discussion. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2603:9001:2D0A:B700:E1A5:1364:17AC:11D1 ( talk) 19:21, 14 October 2020 (UTC) reply

Please don't blank that section without consensus, because it was added after an RfC [53]. Geogene ( talk) 21:57, 12 February 2021 (UTC) reply
I would also add that the IP's "all or none" argument is counter to community consensus from a major RfC [54] which states that "(inclusion of mass shootings) should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with care taken to avoid trivia and a strong reliance on reliable sources." Including this content is not inherently biased or off-topic. – dlthewave 22:08, 12 February 2021 (UTC) reply
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

History Section

This section starts right off the bat with the sale of Armalite and then throws in "something something M16". A reader unfamiliar with the subject has no idea what's beings said here. Armalite's history of the development of the AR should be included here as well as to how and why the M16 and the AR are being compared to each other. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.42.169.5 ( talk) 22:31, 18 May 2020 (UTC) reply

RfC: Port Arthur Massacre

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.


Should the Port Arthur Massacre be mentioned in this article? – dlthewave 21:56, 6 April 2018 (UTC) reply

The following section was recently challenged:

Following the use of a Colt AR-15 SP1 Carbine in the Port Arthur massacre, the National Firearms Programme Implementation Act 1996 was enacted in Australia, restricting the private ownership of high capacity semi-automatic rifles. [1] [2] [3]

References

  1. ^ "Firearms in Australia: a guide to electronic resources". aph.gov.au. Commonwealth of Australia. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  2. ^ "How Australia Passed Gun Control: The Port Arthur Massacre and Beyond". Foreign Affairs. October 13, 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  3. ^ Wahlquist, Calla (14 March 2016). "It took one massacre: how Australia embraced gun control after Port Arthur". The Guardian.

Survey options

  • Support - Include the Port Arthur Massacre. Please specify whether you support the text as written, a different version or something else such as a "See also" link.
  • Oppose - Do not mention the Port Arthur Massacre at all.

Straw Poll

  • Oppose - Do not mention the Port Arthur Massacre at all... Not this again. For all the reasons stated in previous discussions. -- RAF910 ( talk) 05:34, 7 April 2018 (UTC) reply
"Not this again." That's not much of an argument. Not all of us have sat here spending our lives reading old arguments. Sounds much like "I don't like it." Please elaborate. HiLo48 ( talk) 01:01, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
I think "please elaborate" is sufficient, no? There's no need for insults. - theWOLFchild 22:33, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
As someone who experienced some personal impact from the Port Arthur Massacre, I felt insulted by someone implying it wasn't important, with no better explanation than "Not this again." HiLo48 ( talk) 08:03, 9 April 2018 (UTC) reply
First let me say that, sincerely, that I've persinally seen the tragic effects a mass-shooting has collaterally and I'm sorry that you had to experience that. But you have to know that RAF910, (or I), couldn't have known that, and certainly weren't in any way trying to dismiss your feelings on this. The "Not this again" comment isn't the only explanation, though. If you'd been following this issue, you'd see that RAF910 is coming from a position that this topic has already been discussed, both recently and at length. (I don't know the details, I just seen his other comments). But that aside, we have to try and keep our personal feelings from affecting our editing, hence the reason we have NPOV for articles and NPA for talk pages. I'm sure you agree with that. Cheers. - theWOLFchild 08:24, 9 April 2018 (UTC) reply
off topic comments

I restored the comment; please don't clerk discussions.-- K.e.coffman ( talk) 00:24, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply

Don't want to see this derailed any further. Please see your talk page. Thank you - theWOLFchild 04:47, 12 April 2018 (UTC) reply
HiLo48 - That's an interesting turn. The first time around, your only response was to explain the comment, not claim it was something different. I replied and hoped that was the end of it. But now after some edits, you are re-instating it. I know if someone claimed I "spent my life sitting here reading old arguments", with multiple underlying insulting contexts, I would certainly take offence. But since the comment was directed at RAF910 and not me, I won't comment on this any further and leave it be. - theWOLFchild 16:55, 12 April 2018 (UTC) reply
I did not claim someone else "spent my life sitting here reading old arguments". I simply said that I (and I guessed some others) didn't. Please don't read more into my comments than the words I actually use. I try to choose them carefully. HiLo48 ( talk) 22:44, 12 April 2018 (UTC) reply
I merged the side conversation into the collapsible area and put the responses in chrono order. No need to get this off-topic any further. Please see my Talk page. -- K.e.coffman ( talk) 02:00, 14 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support proposed text as written; no reason to oppose this sourced content. Geogene ( talk) 19:06, 7 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support - Per WP:Firearms criminal use this is a significant crime that clearly had an impact on the laws of Australia and on the gun debate in the US. But, I do think a strong case against inclusion can be made because, for all the times I've seen Port Arthur and the subsequent prohibition on semi-automatic rifles mentioned in context of the US gun control debate, I've wasn't even aware that the rifle in question was a Colt AR-15 (or an AR-15 of any type). So in that regard I would say a strong argument can be made that WP:WEIGHT rejects inclusion because, in context of the Colt brand AR-15 the crime seems to have had little to no impact even if the broader impact was VERY significant. Ultimately I'm torn on the matter but feel that this is one of the few cases where the significance of the legal changes after the crime are such that inclusion is warranted. Springee ( talk) 19:37, 7 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Possibly your unawareness of the brand of the weapon was due to a lack of previous mention. Is that a lack which ought to be fixed? Or is the lack an indication of non-significance? I would argue that being a semiautomatic assualt-style (i.e., "AR-15") model is significant, and warrants mention. But perhaps the brand warrants only a footnote? ♦  J. Johnson (JJ) ( talk) 21:12, 9 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Supportper Springee. Signficant crime, significant effect on laws, still impacting the debate on the otehr side of the world. Legacypac ( talk) 23:13, 7 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose the sources about the shooting only mention the type of rifle in passing, and sources about the rifle do not mention the shooting. The rifle might be notable to the shooting, but I don't think the shooting is notable to the rifle. This is not like the case of US mass shootings in the AR-15 type rifle article, where inclusion is supported by sources discussing in detail how the weapons affect and are affected by the shootings. Red Rock Canyon ( talk) 00:17, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose I agree with Red Rock Canyon above; there is good reason to avoid lending undue weight to an event which has had so little effect on the subject of this article. The Colt AR-15 is important to Port Author and as such warrants mention in that article, the reverse is not the case. Syr74 ( talk) 18:30, 12 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support per Springee. -- Tom (LT) ( talk) 01:33, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose per Red Rock Canyon.note- found about this RfC because of a related AN/I thread.-- Dlohcierekim ( talk) 07:40, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support - That an incident involving this model got the whole class banned in Australia seems very much worth mentioning. Support the sentence as previously, plus maybe more. The article lead is too short anyway. Johnbod ( talk) 11:18, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support This incident was a key element in the development of Australia's gun laws, being used now by many as an example the USA could learn from. Clearly significant. HiLo48 ( talk) 11:25, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Comment #1 - Not all of the "support" !votes have specified; "whether you support the text as written, a different version or something else such as a "See also" link" ...as requested in the RfC OP.
    FYI. - theWOLFchild 22:33, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support - for the for the text as written and no more. Cavalryman V31 ( talk) 02:01, 9 April 2018 (UTC). reply
  • Question - where in the listed sources does it say Colt AR-15 SP1 Carbine ? The first source lists no model, the second only a Colt AR-15 and the third only an AR-15. Cavalryman V31 ( talk) 02:01, 9 April 2018 (UTC). reply
  • Support Gun laws directly involving this gun should be mentioned, such as the U.S. law mentioned in the lede. There should be a section in the article on gun laws relating to AR-15. First Light ( talk) 03:36, 9 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Gun laws related to the AR-15 doesn't sound like a "Colt AR-15 (TM)" subject but rather something that may be related to AR-15 style rifle which is the article where the general AR-15 type rifle is covered and includes discussions of AR-15's and the media discussions about the rifles after a number of mass shootings. Springee ( talk) 03:41, 9 April 2018 (UTC) reply
But a Colt AR-15 SP1 Carbine was used in the Port Arthur incident, no? A new gun law was passed based on that, no? The massacre should be mentioned here also, imo, not just the new gun law based on it. First Light ( talk) 15:56, 9 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support The Port Arthur incident was a key to changing Australia's gun laws. This weapon played a vital role. Clearly significant. CamV8 ( talk) 13:33, 9 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support of course; significant event and well sourced. Not discussing stuff like this would be like omitting birth defects from the thalidomide article (a drug that is very, very useful) and the way that those birth defects led to changes in federal law about drug testing. Jytdog ( talk) 23:20, 9 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose - a whole section in AR15 just for this event is going WP:OFFTOPIC with prominence far beyond due WP:WEIGHT. I believe this and similar have had prior discussions which ended with this article should not cover these as part of its content. Note a See Also would not be part of this article so is an 'Oppose' -- but might be allowed by prior discussions. (Prior discussions like this seem to be at recent Village pump RFC, this article Archive 3 twice, and Archive 2 once ?) Cheers Markbassett ( talk) 00:50, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support - clearly significant and well sourced. Boggles the mind how anyone could think a short mention of this highly significant event would be "undue" - that's simply unsupported by policy. Neutrality talk 03:14, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Refer to WP:UNDUE. A zillion articles on AR15 where 99%+ do not even mention this event is how the prominence of a whole section and amount of content here is WP:UNDUE. Even at the article about the event or about the law the gun would get minor or no mention. Markbassett ( talk) 02:17, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
If the gun articles you're talking about are in sporting magazines, then I wouldn't expect them to talk about this, because they're geared toward a specific audience and a very specific subject matter. Guns and Ammo famously dismissed an editor a few years ago for infuriating their readership by writing an editorial in favor of some form of gun regulation [1], which shows that while they are probably reliable for some things, their failure to discuss mass shootings isn't surprising or meaningful. But not everything you'll find written about AR-15s is in sporting magazines. [2] The goal here is to represent all significant points of view found in reliable sources, in proportion to their prevalence. That begins with the gun's history and operation, but it doesn't end there. Geogene ( talk) 02:38, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Geogene - no, all sources or specifically BBC.com and WashingtonPost.com have less than 1% of AR15 articles or mentions also mentioning Port Arthur. Even if I allowed Port Arthur Texas. Markbassett ( talk) 00:37, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support Clearly signifiant; proposed text as written; and moving forward, needs appropriate additions, if required. scope_creep ( talk) 10:44, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support - Looks like the oppose opinion (as expressed by User:Dlohcierekim, User:Syr74 & User:Red Rock Canyon) is that we shouldn't mention the factoid, b/c sources only give the factoid passing mention. It seems to me that the proposed wording is basically "passing mention" to the Port Author Massacre. I don't know why we'd say the AR-15 deserves passing mention in the context of the massacre but not vice versa. The massacre seems like one of the most notable global events that the AR-15 has been involved in. It doesn't seem undue to mention it. NickCT ( talk) 13:49, 12 April 2018 (UTC) reply
@ User:NickCT My question here would be, if this is obviously important for inclusion within this article because the opposite is true, then why wouldn't scholastically acceptable tomes typically include Port Author under any AR-15 related text but would find it reasonable to include the Colt AR-15 as a component within an entry on the Port Author Massacre itself? The reason is obvious and simple, the subject of the Colt AR-15 article is specifically the AR-15, it should obviously be included within the text of any entries covering the Port Author Massacre as those would be incomplete without it, but including the Port Author Massacre within the Colt AR-15 article is realistically pointless and serves primarily to polarize and give a poor impression of Wikipedia. You don't actually need to include Port Author in the Colt AR-15 article for people to be able to easily find that information, and to do so in every instance where this approach is plausible would and does create duplicity on a scale that is staggering, so why do it? This is a big part of the reason why scholars will never accept Wikipedia as a credible source on the whole as, despite what are generally good intentions, we don't often enough avoid the appearance of bias. Wikipedia is not and never will be Encyclopedia Britannica online, and it shouldn't be, but I had hoped that it would become more scholarly over time and bring truly credible, relevant information to the masses. On the other side of that equation, Wikipedia most definitely should not be a larger, more poorly worded version of tabloid/pop news websites the Mirror either, but it seems as though we are leaning a good deal more toward the tabloid and pop news end of the spectrum than the credible information end of the same. The intentions are good, but the results are often unfortunate. Syr74 ( talk) 18:48, 12 April 2018 (UTC) reply
@ Syr74: - Scholars don't accept WP cause they're generally jealous that they no longer have a monopoly on knowledge.
I sympathize with your point, but I don't feel like inclusion is unscholarly or necessarily a result of biases. Speaking directly to your point re "why wouldn't scholastically acceptable tomes typically include Port Author under any AR-15 related text"; how many references can you point to which actually cover the "History" of the AR-15? I think if we collected a set of sources which specifically cover the history of the AR-15, you probably would find that some reasonable number of them mention the massacre.
And at the end of the day, we are discussing a single sentence here, right? Making WP:WEIGHT arguments over a single sentence is rarely convincing unless you're talking about the most trivial minutia (which I don't think this is).
For the record, I usually take a moderate stance on gun control (from an American standpoint at least, which is probably pro-gun from a European standpoint). NickCT ( talk) 19:14, 13 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support because of change in national gun law, but I don't think it needs to be an entire section. A one sentence addition to the AR-15 style rifle section seems fine. Seraphim System ( talk) 04:46, 19 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose per Red Rock Canyon. L293D (  •  ) 02:45, 21 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support clearly a major event that influenced a huge change in large country's firearms regulations. Pmsyyz ( talk) 17:02, 27 April 2018 (UTC) reply

Threaded Discussion

I think that the voting options here are problematic. Support with a possible caveat to include a link isn't an option I'm comfortable with for reasons I suspect are clear. As such, I am forced to vote with a simple oppose. Syr74 ( talk) 01:13, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply

The intent is that editors will explain the level of coverage they feel is appropriate. Since this isn't a vote, whoever closes the discussion will gauge the consensus based on these comments. I want to avoid a situation in which someone !votes "oppose" just because they have a minor quibble with the wording. – dlthewave 01:58, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
While I don't doubt that the intent is good here, the layout itself is short-sighted in my opinion and absolutely gives the appearance of a bias toward the support side of the argument. Even though this is not a scholastic article we can learn something from that well developed format, which is that the question should be written as if the burden is on inclusion, not omission, as it allows for a better snapshot of what people actually think. For example, if 10 people support here and 6 oppose, but 3 of those who support only support inclusion of a see also link and no actual of inclusion of any text in this article, the final vote wouldn't in any way support the majority view which would be no text within the article. Honestly, I suspect that this is a formality because I fully expect support to take the day here easily either way, but appearances do matter. We need to be careful that it looks like we gave every option an equal opportunity so these things can be put to bed permanently. 98.23.45.127 ( talk) 02:23, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
The word "permanently" doesn't belong in a discussion of this nature. Recent student protests tell us that, clearly, moods change in this arena. HiLo48 ( talk) 11:23, 8 April 2018 (UTC) reply
And that is the problem, moods shouldn't direct an encyclopedia, relevance and balance should. Syr74 ( talk) 01:08, 13 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Of course, and as the mood of the public changes, and reliable sources tell us about the changed attitudes, that is what we report. We cannot write as if the mood of the public will never change. HiLo48 ( talk) 07:55, 13 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Has anyone checked the basis for this discussion? "Following the use of a Colt AR-15 SP1 Carbine in the Port Arthur massacre" has doubts due to my request for sources in Talk:Port_Arthur_massacre_(Australia)#Sources -- Tom ( talk) 11:21, 10 April 2018 (UTC) P.S. Warner, Kate; (March 1, 1999) stated: " It is a version of the M16 used by the US military and it has but one purpose - to kill or disable. " reply
  • I previously hadn't checked the sources for the proposed passage. Two of the three don't support the claim and the one remaining is weak. I would suggest we find one or two more sources that support the claim (shouldn't be hard) and fix the sourcing. While I'm supporting inclusion here, I think the weight, especially as cited is weak and wouldn't pass DUE as cited. If nothing is added by this evening I try to find some sources. Springee ( talk) 12:18, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Well if not the specific model SP1 Carbine was mentioned, it is somehow logically that it can not have had influence on developing laws in australia. My assumption is that the government thought broader as of "assault rifles" or Battle rifle. BTW in the case of "Port Arthur massacre" there is a second rifle with missing sources. The identification as L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle as quoted in the article could be an urban legend. -- Tom ( talk) 13:30, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
This is why I'm very on the fence with this crime. There were two semi-auto rifles involved but it doesn't seem that many sources link either specific rifle to the crime. It seems the crime is associated with the general class of "Semi-auto rifle" but not with the specific rifles used. But since this is such a significant crime in terms of outcome and impact to the politics of gun control I'm actually ignoring what I think is a weak weight argument. Springee ( talk) 13:43, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Because the information came from a IP-Editor i followed IP 96.54.224.159. Surprise, surprise ... this user systematically altered informations about identification of weapons in crimes !!! See [3] [4] [5] [6]. Seeing thus I can only recommend to check informations about weapons in each case before creating new urban legends. -- Tom ( talk) 14:20, 10 April 2018 (UTC) P.S. IP Special:Contributions/70.66.13.54&offset=&limit=500&target=70.66.13.54 has the same edit style [7] and wow Special:Contributions/96.54.224.159&offset=&limit=5000&target=96.54.224.159 IP active mission since 2011 & talkpage ;-) next IP is Special:Contributions/104.128.253.21 with changing weapon info here. + Special:Contributions/104.128.253.2 All this IPs are located in British Columbia, City: Nanaimo or Victoria reply
Tom, if I understand your concern, you think an IP editor inserted a fact that was basically never questioned and has now been accepted as fact without actual proof. After some quick web searching I think we might be suffering from a Wikipedia effect. As you indicated, the IP editor inserted the information here [ [8]]. I've been searching for references that support the SLR's inclusion and found a number that note the rifle was used but so far all date from after the above insertion. Thus it opens the question that sources and articles talking about the subject have reviewed this article, quoted the claims and now we can, in a circular fashion, cite sources that support the claim. But if we could trace their citation chain back they would be citing Wikipedia. This is definitely a potential issue and perhaps one that should be raised on the Port Arthur page assuming no RS prior to March 2012 can be found. Springee ( talk) 15:35, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
That's right. Sources for the Port Arthur massacre of 28–29 April 1996 should not be younger than 2012 or better 2010 to be reliable. For the already located IP an Wikipedia:CheckUser might be recommendable. Wrong informations are picked up and reported f.e. here. Exactly this ends up in having wrong informations in references f.e. in L1A1_Self-Loading_Rifle#cite_note-22 here. This ends up in a need for critical checks for all this crime related articles. Connecting crimes to weapon groups as done in Mass_shootings_in_the_United_States#Weapons_used is less critical. To do this checks in RFC's for firearms-articles is somehow not the best option. -- Tom ( talk) 16:04, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
This is pretty significant. Do we even have a credible source that specifically states this rifle was the weapon used in the Port Author Massacre? Syr74 ( talk) 21:39, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
You could try the court transcripts. HiLo48 ( talk) 00:48, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply
At this point, I would say that we have strong pre-2011 support for "AR-15". – dlthewave 22:23, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Thanks for taking a look. Tom found a court document that mentioned the SLR [ [9]]. So at that point I would say at least we have a non-blog/forum source. I understand court testimony isn't always "reliable" but at this point I'm satisfied that at least the claim wasn't invented around the time it was inserted into the article. We might still be seeing some Wikipedia effect with reporters seeing the fact here then reporting it based on what's here but that isn't an issue so long as the referencing isn't circular. Springee ( talk) 22:35, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply

The Aussies did not blame a specific gun for the attack and demonize it like the Yanks do. They simply banned ALL semi-auto rifles as a result. Therefore, the specific guns used were irrelevant. What's happened is many years after all was said and done. American politicians and media rediscovered that AR-15 was used and pointed to the Aussie gun ban as the solution to the so called gun problem. If anything, the Aussies were more concerned with the use of the SLR which was still used by the Australian Army at the time. Now we have editors who have decided that it is their mission to add criminal use section to every firearms article that they can get away with. And, even if they lose today, they will be back tomorrow with another rfc, and then another and another until they win.-- RAF910 ( talk) 23:24, 10 April 2018 (UTC) reply

You lost me completely there with your final two sentences. Not constructive at all. HiLo48 ( talk) 00:08, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Almost no AR-15 coverage seem to include either Port Arthur or the named law. Yes, you can find some sies out of the millions of AR-15 mentions -- but it is a tiny percentage. Googling for AR-15 I get 41.2 Million hits, and if I add port Arthur I get 167,000 -- less than 0.4%, even with some of those are Port Arthur Texas. If I go to a good RS BBC.com, AR-15 got 17,300 hits and +Port Arthur got 7 -- a 0.04% rate. Going to WashingtonPost.com I get 12,100 versus 22, for a 0.18% rte. So -- mentioning AR-15 in the Port Arthur article may be due, but it is just not significant the other way around. Cheers. Markbassett ( talk) 00:47, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply
This is an issue I struggle with. Weight is easy to establish when RSs talking about the subject of the article mention a claim (articles about Mustangs talking about idiot drivers crashing when leaving Coffee and Cars events). What about cases where the subject of the Wiki article is mentioned in an article about another subject (Mr (name here) has a big Mustang collection)? This is a matter of weight that should be worked out. Project Firearms provided guidance by suggesting weight be limited to cases where the impact was more than just the crime (a significant legal change for example). As I said before, I think it's odd that a RfC similar to this one said do not mention the use of a blue Chevy Caprice in the DC snipper attacks (strong opposition) yet the gun used in the same attacks does mention the crime on it's page. It seems logically inconsistent to me but I haven't looks to see if the inclusion on the gun page was ever challenged. Springee ( talk) 01:12, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply

Current sources do not support statement: A number of editors have said the proposed statement is well sourced. That may be true if we use different sources but the current sources are not acceptable for the claims being made. The first does not mention Colt or AR-15 at all. The second says "Colt AR-15" which does support at least part of the "Colt AR-15 SP1" in the proposed text. The third says AR-15 but not Colt. Sources that support the full statement are available [ [10]]. If we are going to say something is well sourced we should ensure the sources actually support the claim. For what it's worth I was one of the editors who assumed the statement was supported by the provided citations. I still stand by my statement above but the sourcing needs to be fixed. Springee ( talk) 01:12, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply

AR 15 is one of 3 Guns which were named in court for the Port Arthur massacre: "AR15 semi-automatic .223 calibre rifle and FN, commonly called an SLR military style semi-automatic .308 calibre rifle and a semi-automatic Daiwoo twelve gauge shotgun". Protocol (19TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1996) For me this gives the idea that the court was not interested to identify any submodel of this weapons. For this RFC one of 3 guns is less significant. Even less significant, because the Port Arthur massacre is already mentioned in AR-15_style_rifle#Use_in_crime_and_mass_shootings -- Tom ( talk) 01:15, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply

Edit break

A source for the Colt AR-15 SP1 carbine, serial number SP128807, would be found in "The Port Arthur Shooting Incident", Australian Police Journal; December 1998. Problem: I don't have this source and it isn't to be found online. It's my understanding that it's available in many libraries in Australia. I'm going to see if ILL works internationally. Geogene ( talk) 02:05, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply

You mean "The Port Arthur shooting incident; Australian Police Journal; December 1998: pp. 207-228." ??? Very interesting. By the serial Number I found KEITH ALLAN NOBLE: MASS MURDER Official Killing in Tasmania, Australia (E-Book with 718 Pages). At p. 29 "A TANGLED WEB OF POLICE CORRUPTION " and more Info. Addtional reading with Stewart K. Beattie: A Gunsmith's Notebook on Port Arthur (E-Book with 400 Pages) If this Infos are reliable, parts of the story have to be rewritten because of partial debt of australian officials. I suggest to wait here till the authors have done their job in the article Port Arthur massacre (Australia). If you want to thank for the help of WP:Firearms to check and find sources for the article Port Arthur massacre here or in any press releases (comparable with the press-releases which blamed WP:Firearms) will show up in future. Interesting to see if mentioning of this scandal connected to the Colt AR 15 article will still be on the top-level-wish-list of crime and politics-related writers or other party’s. -- Tom ( talk) 08:07, 11 April 2018 (UTC) reply
"Stewart K. Beattie; A Gunsmith's Notebook on Port Arthur (E-Book with 400 Pages)" appears to be a self-published source by a conspiracy theorist. I looked at it briefly, so I could be wrong, but that was my first impression. There are apparently other theories out there that Bryant was "framed" or some such. K.e.coffman ( talk) 00:37, 12 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Well lets just see how it works out in Talk:Port_Arthur_massacre_(Australia)#Improvement_of_Article_/_Wikipedia:WikiProject_Politics/Gun_politics. The Book you mentioned is absolutely reliable concerning the technical details (which are not available in other sources). Conspiracy (aka POV) seems to be a problem in all sources ... depending from which side they come. We will do our best to prove the truth. Any help is appreciated. Best -- Tom ( talk) 00:51, 12 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Update & Info: there is a problem with a central source/document of the article. Pls. see Talk:Port_Arthur_massacre_(Australia)#Problems_with_used_sources_of_the_article -- Tom ( talk) 20:45, 13 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Update & Info: as there are still many deficits in the article I added an additional request for help in this project part of wikipedia in Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Crime and Criminal Biography -- Tom ( talk) 09:27, 16 April 2018 (UTC) reply

Conclusion: You can forget about this case because of proven deficits in the linktarget

Hello Colleagues, I am very sorry to come to the conclusion that you can forget about this case because of proven deficits in the linktarget. Since more than two weeks I did my very best ( [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] etc.) and asked for help at multiple [16] + [17] + [18] + [19] + [20] + [21] etc. corners of this project. There are proven deficits in the article about Port Arthur massacre. Nobody went for it or dared to improve this article - me either. Notabene: it can not be the job of wp:gun to do wp:cleanup for wp:plt or wp:crime&CrimiBio. By this I can only suggest to close this RFC rejecting the case due to the deficits in the mentioned crime article. Best -- Tom ( talk) 06:33, 25 April 2018 (UTC) reply

@ Tom: - Well, should the Port Arthur/Colt AR-15 SP1 content be added or not? I see today it has been re-added, apparently based on consensus. But that is irrelevant if there is an issue with the sourcing. - theWOLFchild 19:39, 27 April 2018 (UTC) reply
The only sourcing issue in that sentence was "SP1 Carbine" which I've removed. The rest is well-sourced and unrelated to the concerns raised at Talk:Port Arthur massacre (Australia). – dlthewave 20:40, 27 April 2018 (UTC) reply
If we removed material simply because of "problems" in a linked article, then every wikipedia article would have to be blanked. No article is without flaws, but those flaws don't propagate upwards to any article that discusses the same material. Red Rock Canyon ( talk) 20:47, 27 April 2018 (UTC) reply
no problems or well sourced ? somebody must be joking. see "reliable sources often mention the weapon in articles" has a probem as is has been pointed out in:
Multiple colleagues see Problems with: WP:SYNTH / WP:NOR / WP:PTS etc. Best -- Tom ( talk) 04:26, 28 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Most of those links are just you asking for help on various talk pages. None of them are related to the statement and sources that we're discussing here. The sources provided here directly support the fact that the massacre led to the passage of regulations. What exactly is the SYNTH/NOR/PTS concern? – dlthewave 04:52, 28 April 2018 (UTC) reply
If you read the links ... once more: I just looked it up once more in https://library.ithaca.edu/sp/subjects/primary definitions from there are:
  • "Primary Sources

A primary source provides direct or firsthand evidence about an event, object, person, or work of art. Primary sources include historical and legal documents, eyewitness accounts, results of experiments, statistical data, pieces of creative writing, audio and video recordings, speeches, and art objects. Interviews, surveys, fieldwork, and Internet communications via email, blogs, listservs, and newsgroups are also primary sources. In the natural and social sciences, primary sources are often empirical studies—research where an experiment was performed or a direct observation was made. The results of empirical studies are typically found in scholarly articles or papers delivered at conferences.

  • Secondary Sources

Secondary sources describe, discuss, interpret, comment upon, analyze, evaluate, summarize, and process primary sources. Secondary source materials can be articles in newspapers or popular magazines, book or movie reviews, or articles found in scholarly journals that discuss or evaluate someone else's original research."

Main source of port of article "Port_Arthur_massacre" is invalid because legal documents. -- Tom ( talk) 09:45, 28 April 2018 (UTC) reply
I still don't understand. Why are we supposed to care about the sourcing of Port Arthur massacre (Australia)? This is a discussion over the sentence proposed for this article. None of the sources are legal documents. All the sources for the proposed section are independent secondary sources. Though I don't agree that it should be included, it definitely meets the requirement for verification. Red Rock Canyon ( talk) 11:06, 28 April 2018 (UTC) reply
The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

"used in many mass shootings"

This edit was a reversion that removed a claim of the AR-15's used in "many mass shootings" on the basis that had no references. This article may be a suitable reference, if that's the only reason for that claim's removal. - Mr.1032 ( talk) 00:45, 17 April 2018 (UTC) reply

thx for the hint. Since we are here on the discside of Colt AR-15 it is interesting to see that not one Colt AR-15 is mentioned in the list of the article you presented. -- Tom ( talk) 17:24, 17 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Yes, that is a bit funny. The Colt AR-15 is not singled out from other similar rifles in the attempt to restrict access to such guns, as is mentioned in that section, so I think that reference could still be appropriate, even though there are no actual Colt AR-15s on the list. - Mr.1032 ( talk) 00:16, 18 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Since we have the AT-15 Style Rifle article I would suggest not using generalized statements about AR-15 type rifles here. This article should be strictly Colt AR-15s. Springee ( talk) 00:40, 18 April 2018 (UTC) reply
Sounds like references weren't the only reason after all. That makes sense to me, thank you. And I assume you're referring to the AR-15 style rifle article; AT-15 sounds more like a rifle that walks (attempt at humor, not always my strong suit). - Mr.1032 ( talk) 02:21, 18 April 2018 (UTC) reply
D'oh! Yes, I wasn't thinking Star Wars. (leaving the mistake so your comments stay in context ;) Springee ( talk) 02:27, 18 April 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Since this is about the COLT AR15 and the COLT AR15 doesn't seem to be used in "many mass shootings", there's no reason to include it here. Niteshift36 ( talk) 19:03, 27 April 2018 (UTC) reply

Number of photos

I love pictures, but I think we're going a little overboard with the number of pics used in this article. Opinions? Niteshift36 ( talk) 19:04, 27 April 2018 (UTC) reply

I agree, I went ahead and removed the photo of the Ruger SR-556. Most of the close-ups can probably go as well. – dlthewave 13:31, 28 April 2018 (UTC) reply

The Week

I restored "The adolescent cult of the AR-15" from The Week to the media template. The article is clearly about this page. At the time of the writing, "Colt AR-15" was the page that had "AR-15" in its name. The page that is now AR-15 was then called "Modern Sporting Rifle". -- K.e.coffman ( talk) 02:35, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply

@ K.e.coffman:, in that case are you going to remove it from the AR15 style rifle page which didn't exist at the time? The article slanders one of our editors while providing no insight or value. Springee ( talk) 10:23, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
It looks like the entry has already been removed from the AR-15 Talk page: [22], which seems fair. -- K.e.coffman ( talk) 15:32, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply

RfC: AR-15 style rifle subsection

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.


Should the Colt AR-15#AR-15 style rifle subsection briefly summarize the content on the AR-15 style rifle page? Specifically, the relation between such rifles and the Colt version, some details on variations, how widespread they are, and most especially their use in mass shootings. 23:57, 16 May 2018 (UTC)

Survey

That subsection should briefly summarize the AR-15 style rifle page, as is standard. The most important elements of that article should be mentioned (if briefly). Those are the relation between such rifles and the Colt version, some details on variations, how widespread they are, and their use in mass shootings (which is arguably the most important of all, considering the depth and breadth of interest in that). Waleswatcher (talk) 14:50, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply

There is no reason this section needs to summarize the parent article. Instead this section describes how the patented Colt AR-15 evolved into the generic rifles. As such it doesn't need information about the various calibers and barrel length available to generic rifles derived from the Colt rifle. Nor do we need the NY times opinion on generic AR-15s. Now per BRD restoring the old material is justified. What isn't is keeping the material you added since that isn't a long term part of the article and was immediately disputed. You should have started this talk section instead of restoring the disputed edits. Springee ( talk) 15:05, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Springee, thank you for responding on the talk page rather than continuing to edit war. The section I edited refers to Main article: AR-15 style rifle. As per standard wiki style, that section should briefly summarize its parent article, and my edit improved that summary. You appear to be advocating removing the section entirely or re-purposing it. Such a major change certainly requires consensus and perhaps a broader discussion. As for the NYT source, it is a news article and a reliable source per wiki, not an opinion piece. But if you believe we need more sources for that statement, there are certainly tens and possibly hundreds. Waleswatcher (talk) 15:32, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
The edit war you started? Sorry, the section is describing how generic AR's came about after the Colt parents expired. We can leave the politics out. Springee ( talk) 15:40, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
We can leave the politics out - ?? This is not a policy-based argument. K.e.coffman ( talk) 15:43, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support, per WP:WEIGHT. Clearly topical for the subsection and follows WP:SUMMARY style, with more information available in the AR-15 article. -- K.e.coffman ( talk) 15:30, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support, so much has been written about the politics in relation to this gun that it's an NPOV violation to try to leave it out. And as I've said before, you can't escape controversy by spinning off daughter articles. The controversy comes with it. Geogene ( talk) 15:52, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose: First WW's addition was edit warring since the editor didn't go to the talk page when the material was reverted. Second, this is an article about a specific make and model rifle. It is not the general AR-15 article so the generic politics don't need to be here. The new material doesn't describe the link between the Colt rifle and the generic rifles thus is off topic. Springee ( talk) 17:07, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support, per Geogene and K.e.coffman. Waleswatcher (talk) 17:27, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose: The content has no direct correlation to the article. - 72bikers ( talk) 19:38, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Forum shopping: In February almost the exact same content was rejected from the article. [ [23]]. Unless there is a reason to believe that consensus has changed this previous discussion applies here. Springee ( talk) 17:53, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Ping editors involved in February's discussion of this material (who aren't above) @ Drmies, Ansh666, Niteshift36, PackMecEng, Red Rock Canyon, Limpscash, RAF910, and Thewolfchild: Springee ( talk) 18:38, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
You have just engaged in WP:votestacking. Please stop. Waleswatcher (talk) 19:02, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
No, per WP:APPNOTE, notification of editors involved with previous discussions of the same or closely related topics is appropriate notification. I notified all editors involved with last Feb's discussion regarding the inclusion of the same source and passage you added earlier today. Since all involved editors, not just those one one side or the other were notified this isn't votestacking. Springee ( talk) 19:28, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Except you didn't. For instance, you did not notify dlthewave, who (and this is just a guess, but an informed one based on previous posts) likely would have been on the other side. So, it appears you only notified the editors you believed would support you. That is WP:Votestacking.
Failing to ping Dlthewave was an oversight. However, the Port Arthur discussion was unrelated and thus notifying those editors would be possible canvassing. Also Tom wasn't pinged so now we have potential canvassing. Springee ( talk) 19:55, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
The editors pinged by Springee all !voted Oppose. Pinging all others who participated in the discussion @ London Hall, Fluous, JustinFranks, and Icewhiz:dlthewave 19:49, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Did those editors vote on the Proposal 1? Springee ( talk) 19:55, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Yeah, dlthewave, it's kind of unfair to attack Springee for leaving out those four editors. He did ping every editor who contributed to the previous discussion about the topic of this discussion. Except you, which I will assume was an honest mistake. Those four editors you pinged didn't participate in the discussion about the section in this article about AR-15 style rifles, the subject of this current discussion. They don't necessarily fit the criteria Editors who have participated in previous discussions on the same topic just because they commented on the talk page on a different issue. Red Rock Canyon ( talk) 20:14, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
On review I still missed Dlthewave's edit. The third time I looked I saw it. It was a nonvoting reply buried in a back and forth. Springee ( talk) 20:37, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
The whole votestacking claim is actually a bit humorous. It shows we keep discussing this and have to go through this exercise every time some editor who have done zero work on this article breezes in and decides his/her POV needs inserted. Niteshift36 ( talk) 15:14, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose. Mass-shootings committed with the use of other weapons are not sufficiently related to the topic of this article to merit inclusion. And for now I've removed the content that Waleswatcher added. The material you added was challenged, and is currently in under discussion, so please do not edit war to re-add until you have consensus. Red Rock Canyon ( talk) 19:44, 12 May 2018 (UTC) Edited apparently I'm blind, sorry for the obviously unnecessary ping. Red Rock Canyon ( talk) 19:50, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support. The relationship between AR-15-style rifles and mass shootings is obviously a big deal; to exclude it from a brief summary has no justification. Fluous ( talk) 20:29, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
This article isn't about AR-15 style rifles. That is a separate topic and does include the material in question. Springee ( talk) 20:37, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
There would be no AR-15 style rifles without AR-15 rifles. Drmies ( talk) 20:44, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support a measured summary. The AR-15 is notable for being what it is, which includes its ease of use and accessibility, which in turn help explain the enormous popularity of the weapon and its derivatives among mass murderers. Of course there is a direct correlation, as the sources bear out. Drmies ( talk) 20:44, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
True but that doesn't mean than information goes into this article. Remember, this isn't meant to be a lead type summary of the AR-15 type rifle article. This section section simply states where the generic rifles came from. Springee ( talk) 22:09, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Please let other people talk. You're monopolizing the discussion. All I see is "Springee this," "Springee that," and meta-discussions about Springee's conduct. Fluous ( talk) 01:52, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose - Not relevant to this article, and should be, if properly written, in AR-15 style rifle. If some summary must be included, it should be given proper weighting. This material, now removed, is not due material. Mr rnddude ( talk) 21:07, 12 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support - It's relevant to include a summary of the AR-15 style rifle article, with a focus on how it evolved from the Colt AR-15. – dlthewave 01:29, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
How is it relevant? Remember this section only exists to explain how generic AR-15s evolved out of expired patents. Springee ( talk) 02:30, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I'm not really sure what it is you're supporting Dlthewave. The article already includes a summary of how AR-15 style rifles evolved from the AR-15. Indeed, it has two paragraphs dedicated to that alone. The request isn't to summarize, it's to copy across. Note that this material in AR-15 style rifle (added yesterday and contentious) is near identical to the second half or so of the material added here (also added yesterday, and also contentious). The first part (about being beloved and reviled) is, I think, unique and does not come from the other article. Mr rnddude ( talk) 02:44, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Would you like to suggest some other wording that summarizes the role of AR-15 style rifles in mass shootings? That could be helpful. Waleswatcher (talk) 03:27, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
"Port Arthur stuff particularly relevant" ? It is, but generally, not particularly. I've worked 2 weeks on it and general problems with sources could not be solved. See te complete section of Talk:Port_Arthur_massacre_(Australia)#Improvement_of_Article_/_Wikipedia:WikiProject_Politics/Gun_politics -- Tom ( talk) 12:02, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply

*Oppose If they are not the AR-15 it has no place here. Change to Support, as I did not know what I was talking about when I made this vote. Slatersteven ( talk) 12:36, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply

  • Support per Drimes Legacypac ( talk) 12:57, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support per Geogene and K.e.coffman. —  pythoncoder  ( talk |  contribs) 14:13, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • support per WP:SYNC and WP:SUMMARY. For this kind of meta-editing generally the best way to keep WP in sync with itself is to copy the lead of A to the relevant spot in the body of the B, adding sources that are already in the body of A as needed (there may not be sources, since per LEAD, the LEAD doesn't need sources when it is functioning as a lead.. but it will need them when functioning as a summary of A in the body of B). In this case the "style" article mentions mass shootings already (appropriately, summarizing the section in the body of that article), so of course that content comes here too. Jytdog ( talk) 15:08, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose..... again. For the reasons already expressed in past discussions. Niteshift36 ( talk) 15:14, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose Not relevant to this article and fails weight and NPOV. It shouldn't even be in the lead of AR-15 style rifle. PackMecEng ( talk) 17:04, 13 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose, not relevant to the article. Cavalryman V31 ( talk) 20:47, 13 May 2018 (UTC). reply
  • Oppose, Completely irrelevant to the topic of this article. Syr74 ( talk) 00:31, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • OPPOSE, As stated above. Is this the 5th or 6th time we've voted on this content? I've lost track.-- RAF910 ( talk) 00:37, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
So you want the article to deliberately go against the guideline WP:SYNC? That's fine, just want to be sure that's what you're saying. Or are you opposed to the wording I proposed (which is not actually a copy of the lead of AR-15 style rifle) for some other reason? Waleswatcher (talk) 01:07, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I didn't say that... you did. - theWOLFchild 01:31, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Opposish - Not a hard opposition but seems not necessary to do so and seems more an issue than a benefit. I see no policy basis guiding towards such, it seems contrary to practices done at similar "Main article" pointers, and I see no mention of a functional reason or benefit for making such a restriction on what gets said here. It seems proposing this article part be limited to a duplication of content on just the basis of saying that "should" be rather than showing a point to it being in this article. For comparison, we do not have a duplication when the Dodge Caravan points at the Fifth generation section subsection of Volkswagen Routan . I see the mention of WP:SYNC but think it not appropriate since AR-15-Style is not a sub-article WP:CFORK of the Colt AR-15 -- it is the larger and later separate topic of things by separate makers in apparently further evolution. (Or patent feature or a kind of label -- it's not clearly stated what the AR-15 "style" is or where the usage "AR-15 style" started & applies to.) Cheers Markbassett ( talk) 05:55, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply

Discussion related to above survey

I've taken the liberty of moving these questions to below what has become a survey section above. I hope the involved editors do not mind. With this I also removed an edit break from the section above Springee ( talk) 01:56, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
(no objection here, there is still some type of edit break here, which is needed, so no problem. - wolf 02:22, 14 May 2018 (UTC)) reply
  • Question for those opposed: Given WP:SYNC, specifically

"Since the lead of any article should be the best summary of the article, it can be convenient to use the subarticle's lead as the content in the summary section, with a {main} hatnote pointing to the subarticle."

what exactly are you suggesting? Are you saying we should intentionally not follow that guideline? Waleswatcher (talk) 00:45, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply

By the way, if we cannot reach a consensus in favor of my version (right now its 11-9 against, so doesn't look promising), I intend to simply copy the lead from AR-15 style rifle into this section, as per WP:SYNC. Waleswatcher (talk) 01:10, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply

That's not how it works. You need to slow down and take your cues from the community and project p&g. You don't just get to do whatever you want. - theWOLFchild 01:31, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
That goes for you, too. You don't just get to ignore clear and simple policies guidlines like WP:SYNC. Nor does it particularly matter how many editors agree with you if they do not have any valid arguments. What matters is logic and wiki policy. Waleswatcher (talk) 03:41, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
FYI - wp:sync isn't a policy, it's a guideline. - wolf
"That goes for you, too." - Perhaps you hadn't noticed, but I haven't attempted to add, alter or remove any content from any firearm article, and not just to suit my personal preferences, but at all. - theWOLFchild 23:50, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
"I haven't...remove[d] any content from any firearm article...at all." Huh - so what exactly is this, then? Waleswatcher (talk) 23:56, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
That's a revert, of a single, disputed word, that is/was currently being discussed on the talk page and should not have been re-added at that time, if at all. (I would think that was obvious and not in need of explanation). Look, you made a comment that basically says "if I can't have my way, I'll just go do it my way, anyway", to which I replied; "It doesn"t work that way...", which for some strange reason you then replied "same goes for you". I was simply pointing out that I hasn't made any content changes, nor was I threatening to, if I didn't get my way, which made your retort kinda' pointless. - theWOLFchild 05:18, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
You made a mistake (in saying you hadn't removed any content at all). Just own it, it's OK. As for your edit being a revert of something that "should not have been re-added", that's a falsehood. That word was in the article for some time. User:72bikers took it out (without any comment either on the talk page or in the edit summary, which also changed some other things), I put it back as it was, ..., and you reverted my revert. You were the one going against BRD and insisting on removing content that had been there for a while (without discussion or consensus), not me.
Again, I'm happy to collaborate with you and anyone else on this page, but the tendentious attitude here makes it very hard. It seems the only way to make progress may be to be bold, get reverted, try to discuss it, document a complete unwillingness to engage with the issues, and then go to an RFC. If that's where this is going, so be it, but I'd much rather not as it's a waste of everyone's time. Waleswatcher (talk) 12:44, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
@ Ww; "Mistake"...? No, I posted a fact. And your contributions to this article and participation on this talk page can hardly be called "collaboration", so own that. Now go post your RfC, it can't be anymore of a waste of time than this dog's breakfast of a tp 'discussion'... - wolf 17:58, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Waleswatcher my edit in the area of the one word removed had a edit summary. I have also addressed that edit here on the talk page with my explanation, when question arose so lets be clear.
Your argumentative tone on trivial matters is really reading as uncivil. You again state it is only you that has the knowledge to judge what should or should not be in the article. You again state you will do whatever you want regardless of consequences. You also state if you are not allowed to get your way you will go tell. You are aware you do not own the article right? This all read as uncivil and disruptive.
I again ask you to please do not see everything in just a black or white view and be more open to a collaborative encyclopedia. - 72bikers ( talk) 16:36, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Perhaps you should consider that these editors aren't ignoring it... well not exactly. They aren't applying it because that isn't the scope of the section. You are correct, what matters is logic and wiki policy. You should also understand that reasonable people can disagree. Springee ( talk) 03:56, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply

Waleswatcher, I think this explains why you don't understand the objections you mentioned here [ [24]]. You are assuming, incorrectly, that this subtopic of the Colt AR-15 article is meant to be a summary of the generic AR-15 article. If that were true I would somewhat agree with your intent. Not the edits you added the other day but the idea that this section and the AR-15 style rifle lead should be in sync. However, the section in question is not meant to summarize the topic of generic AR-15 style rifles. It is only meant to tell users how IP that was originally controlled by Colt became generic to the extent that other manufactures can copy it without license. So the only content that is relevant in that section is content that supports that scope.

There is no SYNC concern because this isn't a parent article spinning off a subsection into a child-article nor the reverse. Consider the topic of the IBM PC. It is the common ancestor of basically all Wintel computers. That doesn't mean Microsoft Windows or Wintel are child articles of the IBM PC article. The IBM PC article talks about the rise of clones just as it relates to the IBM PC. It doesn't go into the way the rise of clone computers greatly expanded the range of PC options, configurations nor drove down the cost of hardware nor how the clones lead to the rise of the Wintel platform. It doesn't mention Wintel controversies such as various MS and Intel PC anti trust complaints. The point being what is important in the IBM PC article as with the article here is in context of the article subject, not the larger picture. In context of the Colt AR-15 topic the section talks about how the design became generic. Not what happened after the design became generic or how non-Colt AR-15 style rifles were used. What happened after is covered in or linked from the AR-15 style rifle article.

I would strongly suggest you not make the change you just proposed. You now have two editors who have directly stated that is not acceptable and we have a number of editors above who have raised objections that would clearly cover such a change. Springee ( talk) 02:25, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply

Springee, your rearrangement disconnected my question from the response it was attached to. Now it's much more difficult to understand what was said when. Please refrain from editing other user's comments on talk pages.

As I mentioned in my note you are welcome to reverse the change. However, I would also suggest that you not put what appeared to be a general question in the middle of what has become a survey section. Your general question was all but guaranteed to hurt readability of the discussion. Your question was directed at "those opposed" not a single editor. Springee ( talk) 03:53, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply

Regarding WP:SYNC, you assert "You are assuming, incorrectly, that this subtopic of the Colt AR-15 article is meant to be a summary of the generic AR-15 article. If that were true I would somewhat agree with your intent." I do not need to assume that, because it says as much in the article. The section is titled "AR-15 style rifle", and the first line underneath is "Main article: AR-15 style rifle". Case closed. Waleswatcher (talk) 03:37, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply

Sorry, you are still failing to see the scope of the section. It wouldn't make sense to treat the AR-15 style rifle as a child of this article. Adding a link to the main article doesn't mean this is meant to be a summary of the AR-15 article. Please take context and the comments of other editors in mind when considering such things. It would avoid some of these issues in the future. Springee ( talk) 03:53, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I didn't say anything about it being s child. I said that the section titled "AR-15 style rifle", with first line "Main article: AR-15 style rifle", is a summary of AR-15 style rifle. Are you seriously disputing that? Waleswatcher (talk) 10:39, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Those don't mean the section is meant to summarize the other article. This is wrong on several levels. The context of the previous discussions which you didn't consult before adding nearly the same text could have been an aid. The content of the section also should have made it clear since the first thing it takes about was the patents. SYNC applies to parent-child articles where a subtopic is spun out. It doesn't universally apply. Previous editors were trying to be helpful by making it clear there exists a general AR-15 article vs this one about the Colt rifle. They also wanted to discuss the connection between. This is why the content was rejected. It's out of scope for this article. Springee ( talk) 10:53, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
OK - your position seems clear. Just to be sure, you maintain that the section titled "AR-15 style rifle", with first line "Main article: AR-15 style rifle", is NOT a summary of AR-15 style rifle, and for that reason is not subject to WP:SYNC. Is that accurate? Thanks. Waleswatcher (talk) 11:43, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • There's no reason that we "must" or "must not" use summary style. It's a content decision that can be discussed, and either outcome would be acceptable regardless of the original intent of this section. Several of the !voters above point out that it currently seems to be in summary style and support keeping it that way. – dlthewave 12:10, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Correct. The notion that a section titled "AR-15 style rifle", with first line "Main article: AR-15 style rifle", cannot be edited so as to accurately summarize the article AR-15 style rifle is simply nonsensical. Unless there are actual substantive objections (beyond "that's not the way I want it"), I will go ahead and do that as per WP:SYNC. If necessary, I can take this to a wider audience via an RFC or something. Waleswatcher (talk) 14:25, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Look at the article history. The section clearly was intended to explain the split, not to be a general history. The edit you propose would be wp:reckless given the clear lakelack of support above (edit: strike through comment because WW seems to feel that such a minor correction can not be made without a strike through). This is the exact same issue @ PackMecEng: and I are warning you about here [ [25]] Springee ( talk) 14:51, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
There is no "clear lake of support" - there was no consensus on the change I proposed, but the support and oppose are almost evenly split. In retrospect that may have been because the change I proposed was not clearly a summary of the relevant article. As for the original intent in creating that subsection, even if you are correct it is irrelevant. It clearly makes sense to have a summary section of the AR 15 style rifle article here, and in fact there is one, so let's make it an actual summary as it should be. Waleswatcher (talk) 15:00, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I will point out your theories are just your own opinions not shared by all. The persisytance to display another editors spelling mistake and dismissiveness to other editors is not conducive to a legitimate civil discussion. I ask you to please not see everything in just a black or white view and be more open to a collaborative encyclopedia. - 72bikers ( talk) 21:15, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
72bikers, I'm happy to collaborate and hear your opinion. It clearly makes sense for this article to have a section summarizing AR-15 style rifles in general, and there already is such a section. The easiest way to update it is to just copy over the lead section of that article, that's what WP:SYNC says. The lead already is a summary, and when one article is updated, it's easy to update the other one. If there's some inappropriate or wrong information, you can just remove it from the lead of AR-15 style rifles and copy the new version over here. Make sense? Waleswatcher (talk) 21:35, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I don't even see where you had any interest in the article a week ago. Today, you're setting ultimatums for it (if I don't get my way, I'm making this change). So you'll have to excuse me if I don't completely believe your willingness to collaborate. Niteshift36 ( talk) 22:27, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Care to comment on substance, rather than casting aspersions and failing to assume good faith? Waleswatcher (talk) 23:07, 14 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • As the others have already pointed out, pointing out what you've said and done isn't an aspersion. You don't understand BRD and I have commented on the substance...all the other times we've had this discussion with every other editor coming in to 'save' the article. Niteshift36 ( talk) 21:20, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
It's not an aspersion; you did, point blank, threaten to engage in disruptive editing if the discussion didn't go your way. Quote: By the way, if we cannot reach a consensus in favor of my version (right now its 11-9 against, so doesn't look promising), I intend to simply copy the lead from AR-15 style rifle into this section, as per WP:SYNC, and Diff: Special:diff/841090940. Mr rnddude ( talk) 00:15, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
There's nothing disruptive about that. It would be standard WP:BRD - except that I'm announcing what I'm intending to do (and why) in advance so it can be discussed, which makes it more careful (and less bold) than wiki standard. Now, do you care to comment on substance, or are you going to continue to be tendentious? Waleswatcher (talk) 00:47, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
No it wouldn't be standard BRD. It'd be you switching tack in hopes of forcing your preference through. By definition, it would be disruption. I've addressed what you said. Tendentious means partisan, just fyi. Mr rnddude ( talk) 01:02, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
"I've addressed what you said." - where? Waleswatcher (talk) 01:25, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
BRD does not say you can make an edit without consensus, it says you do not need to seek it. Once you have sought it and it is not present it does not allow you to make an edit. Any opposed edit (and this is clearly opposed) must first get consensus before being made. I would susgest you do not go ahead and make this edit, you will likely get a block. Slatersteven ( talk) 13:22, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Thanks for the comment, but where precisely do you get that from? Per WP:BRD:

BRD is especially successful where:

  • ... local consensus differs from global consensus, and your goal is to apply global consensus.
  • ... people haven't really thought things through yet.
  • ... people are only discussing policy or theory, and are not applying reasoning or trying to negotiate consensus.
  • ... people are talking past each other instead of getting down to brass tacks with concrete proposals

Several of the above apply here, particularly the first and last ones.Waleswatcher (talk) 13:40, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply

OK lets put it another way, you quote the part where it says you can edit if you do not have clear consensus on the talk page. Slatersteven ( talk) 13:44, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
That's the whole point of the entire BRD protocol! But if you really want a quote, here's one: "Cycle. To avoid bogging down in discussion, when you have a better understanding of the reverter's concerns, you may attempt a new edit that reasonably addresses some aspect of those concerns. You can try this even if the discussion has not reached an explicit conclusion, but be sure you don't engage in any kind of edit warring." In this case, there was no consensus for or against the edit I made (survey was 11-9), and the discussion has clearly bogged down. So, per this policy I can attempt a new "bold" edit that may help move things forward. In this case it would be to copy the lead verbatim from AR-15 style rifle. That has a clear justification per WP:SYNC, by contrast to my previous edit which was arguably ad hoc or undue in some way. If the new edit gets reverted again, I guess the next move is to start an RFC. Now, do you really consider that "disruptive"? It seems to me it conforms perfectly to BRD. Waleswatcher (talk) 14:33, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
WW your behavior is still exactly the same, you have not heard anything I have said or asked " dismissiveness to other editors is not conducive to a legitimate civil discussion. I ask you to please not see everything in just a black or white view and be more open to a collaborative encyclopedia."
You seems to feel only you are able to understand policies. These issues and others are part of why I tried to be helpful and post a link to information of policies you appeared to not be able to fully grasp. You stated that was harassment and you felt you needed to leave a warning and in turn proceeded to haharass me. I also see you have not yet grasped you do not have the right to do this as you repeated this with Springee, after he specifically asked you not to do this. All of these issues speak to being uncivil and disruptive.
You clear satated that you would do whatever you want regardless of what others felt and would ignore consensus. I again ask you to please not see everything in just a black or white view and be more open to a collaborative encyclopedia. - 72bikers ( talk) 14:41, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
72bikers, the last time you posted a comment like this, I replied that I'm happy to collaborate with you, and I politely asked your opinion on the edit I am proposing. You ignored me. In your next post you are again claiming I'm the one that's disruptive. Sorry, but that's not how it looks from where I sit. Can you please engage with the issues? Thanks. Waleswatcher (talk) 14:59, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Except this "new" edit has already been rejected, so we know already what will happen. Slatersteven ( talk) 14:52, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
It's not the same edit, nor was the old one rejected - there was a stalemate. But if you really feel trying one new edit would be "disruptive" (I do not agree, this endless talk page back and forth is far more so than one edit and a possible revert), I could take this directly to an RFC instead. The question would be whether the AR-15 style rifle subsection here should be "synced" to its main article a la WP:SYNC. Waleswatcher (talk) 14:59, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
What the hell does that mean? hat tells me nothing about what you want to include. You could always post your proposed edit here and let us see how "different" it is form what you have added before. Slatersteven ( talk) 15:00, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Should the section Colt AR-15#AR-15 style rifle be a copy of the lead of AR-15 style rifle per WP:SYNC? Waleswatcher (talk) 16:09, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
So you have already made this edit? Slatersteven ( talk) 16:16, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
No. Waleswatcher (talk) 17:24, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
You are correct, you only "Added info from the lede of the main article", rather then the whole lead. So just expanding the material so you can still add this is not changing what you wanted to add. It is just adding more padding around it, and that to me is not a "new". And it will get reverted again. Slatersteven ( talk) 17:39, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I think you edited your comment while I was responding, but anyway here's what I wrote.

OK. In your opinion, which is preferable - make the edit, and if it doesn't get reverted (or there is constructive editing/discussion) great, and if it does start an RFC, or just start an RFC without trying the edit first? I think it's pretty obvious the first option is better a la BRD, but I respect your point of view and I guess you may disagree. Waleswatcher (talk) 18:03, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply

I disagree, BRD (to my mind) should only be used to generate debate about a suggested edit. We already know there is going to be a debate because the idea has already (before you have made the edit) been rejected. So that mean s the only was forwards if (if you really want one ) an RFC. It will save time and avert another edit war. Slatersteven ( talk) 18:07, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
OK, thanks. In that case I'll start an RfC or village pump discussion on this specific question: Should the section Colt AR-15#AR-15 style rifle be a copy of the lead of AR-15 style rifle per WP:SYNC? Waleswatcher (talk) 18:25, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Please consider WP:FORUMSHOP before deciding how and where to raise this question or even what the question should be. While the above discussion was not the exact same question you are now suggesting, it is close and would represent the 3rd time it was raised in as many months. Do you think the initial rejection or the current lack of consensus was based on the particular text? Would your proposed change result in some of the above changing their opinions/reasons? The survey above was well attended so I don't think we could justify a RfC based on limited feedback to the above question. Springee ( talk) 19:13, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Thanks. But as you say it's not really the same question, and it has the clear advantage that if there is a consensus in favor, as a "sync" it's a permanent solution - there need not be any more such discussions, at least not over this page. Waleswatcher (talk) 19:36, 15 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Not that I agree with your assesment of the validity of this potential post of yours, but let's say you do post your "new and completely different" question and there is a clear consensus against you... will you accept it and finally drop this? Or will you; A) continue to argue it to death? B) threaten to make your edit anyway? C) just post your question all over again, just slightly tweaked, on a different page, a couple of days later? D) all of the above?
By the way you keep saying there's "no consensus" with the "11-9" outcome. You do realize that it's not a vote? It's the quality of the arguments that determines consensus, including with straw polls. Instead of doing this all over again, perhaps an uninvolved admin should review the 11-9 debate and determine if there is consensus, and possibly save us all the trouble of debating this all over again. Anyone have any thoughts on this? - theWOLFchild 00:09, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose cherrypicked bleedover - responding to ping by Nil Einne. I'm more about stopping the Bronco cahse being kept to the OJ article and out of the Bronco article ... but same thing here -- that it is UNDUE given the small percentage of the topic for the article and OFFTOPIC of the article, and in this case adds that people are doing OR by cherrypicking what parts to include. You might make a case for See Also -- but not for replicating the same content over & over at every article that coincidentally uses the same word as something in the content being replicated. Also, if you're going to summarize another article it should be done according to prominence in that other article. Cheers Markbassett ( talk) 02:49, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
but not for replicating the same content over & over at every article that coincidentally uses the same word as something in the content being replicated What the hell? You realize that the Colt AR-15 is an AR-15 rifle, right? It's not "coincidence" that one word ("AR-15") occurs in both articles. Articles are not random collections of words. The selection and arrangement of words confers meaning. Geogene ( talk) 02:57, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
All Colt AR-15's are AR-15's, not all AR-15's are Colt AR-15's. Slatersteven ( talk) 15:12, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
+1 and some are war-weapons like M16 rifle. For people who don't know the interconnections it's just too hard to understand. -- Tom ( talk) 15:23, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • No AR15s are M16s. Those are two different rifles. Niteshift36 ( talk) 16:20, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
The m-16 is a developed of the AR-15, and thus us as much an AR-15 as any other derivative, which is my point. Slatersteven ( talk) 16:28, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
You're confusing yourself. The ArmaLite AR15 was select fire and developed into the M16. Different company. This is the Colt AR15. Niteshift36 ( talk) 20:08, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
So not that much dissimilar (apart from full Auto capabilities then (say) the LM308MWS then, made by a different company? Slatersteven ( talk) 09:16, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
What does similarity have to do with anything? Niteshift36 ( talk) 13:27, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
OK lets word it another way the LM308MWS is not made by Colt and yet is still an AR-15 style rifle, so why would being made by a different company affect whether or not is is an AR-15 style rifle? But I think I was saying that, a few functional or cosmetic dissimilarities do not affect whether or not is is an AR-15 derivative. Slatersteven ( talk) 13:33, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Again, what are you talking about? Everyone hear that knows what they're talking about understands the difference between an AR-15 and an AR-15 style rifle. Niteshift36 ( talk) 16:34, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
@ Niteshift36 and Slatersteven: Slatersteven is correct and Niteshift36 is wrong on this. Niteshift, you wrote "The ArmaLite AR15 was select fire and developed into the M16. Different company. This is the Colt AR15." It's true that Armalite marketed its rifle to the army, but it was rejected. Colt bought the rights to the design and the name in 1959, and had the army take another look. The army eventually accepted the design in '64, and Colt then started offering a "civilian version of the M-16, which it called the AR-15". All that is discussed here. [26] Waleswatcher (talk) 16:42, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Both of you spout sentences you read somewhere and don't appreciate the actual differences between the Armalite AR15 and the Colt AR15. At this point, this tangent has nothing to offer in terms of improving the article. Niteshift36 ( talk) 17:59, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Did I say anything to the contrary? What I said was that whilst all Colt AR-15's are AR-15 derivatives (is this incorrect are they derivative BAR or M-14 derivatives?), not (the clue is in the word, not) all AR-15's are colt AR-15's. What about that statement is in correct? Slatersteven ( talk) 16:49, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Sir, the AR-15 has absolutely nothing to do with with the BAR or the M14 rifle. Again, (per your talk page discussion) I ask that stop editing a subject that you clearly know nothing about.-- RAF910 ( talk) 17:01, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Try and read what people have written. Slatersteven ( talk) 17:12, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
It would probably be helpful to have, even if just on the talk page, a timeline/history of the Armalite AR-15 vs Colt M-16 vs Colt Ar-15 etc. My understanding from rough memory etc, is Armalite made the AR-15 (select fire rifle). They weren't able to get a buyer and needed money so they sold the design to Colt. Colt then changed some details and released both the select fire M-16 (not sure what Colt called it internally since the M-16 name would have come from the military). Colt also released a semi-auto only version which was the Colt AR-15. So I think it is fair to say both Colt rifles are close derivatives of the Armalite AR-15. I suspect Colt initially focused on making the military select fire version (ie the M-16). After it was done they redesigned the M-16 to make it semi-auto only and make it non-trivial to convert to select fire (not a case of just dropping in parts). If I'm correct then the evolution was Armalite AR-15 -> Colt M-16 -> Colt AR-15 -> (patents expire) generic clone AR-15s not authorized by Colt (nearly part by part identical) -> generic AR-15 pattern rifles that include significant deviations from the original model including changed gas systems, changed cartridge types, etc. Anyway, it may be helpful if we could find a source to outline this lineage. It would be useful both in this article and the AR-15 style rifle article. I'll see if I can find a RS saying something like that this evening. Springee ( talk) 13:46, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
@ Springee: This source discusses the early history of that, if not in great detail [27] . Waleswatcher (talk) 14:43, 18 May 2018 (UTC) reply
When sources discuss AR-15 rifles, they are referring to Colt AR-15s, as well as all other civilian makes. "AR-15" is a category, "Colt AR-15" is a member of that category. Geogene ( talk) 17:33, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
But when they discus Colt AR-15's do they mean all AR-15's? Slatersteven ( talk) 17:38, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
You have just accidentally discovered the heart of matter. All of those "reliable sources" that some editors are constantly ranting about are incompetent on the subject matter. They don't know what they are talking about. They only know that AR-15s are scary looking and shoot fast. And, they make no effort to give accurate information.-- RAF910 ( talk) 18:02, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
So how many of them confuse AR-15's with Colts? Slatersteven ( talk) 18:09, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Sir, your question confirms that you have little to no firearms knowledge. Again, you are relying on sources of information that are incompetent on the subject matter. They don't know what they are talking about. They only know that AR-15s are scary looking and shoot fast. And, they make no effort to give accurate information.-- RAF910 ( talk) 18:19, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Fair enough, as obviously I do not know enough about the subject my vote must have been wrong so I will change it. Slatersteven ( talk) 18:25, 16 May 2018 (UTC). Slatersteven ( talk) 18:25, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I could not concur more with RAF's last statement. It is also nice to see editors are open to reason and willingness to a civil rational discussion. - 72bikers ( talk) 18:33, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I have now changed my vote based upon my previous lack of understanding of the topic. Slatersteven ( talk) 18:36, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • [User_talk:Waleswatcher]] - WP:SYNC is not applicable for several reasons. First, that is a guideline for content forks which would be for subsections of the Colt article, not the case here. Second, folks often do not do this option to say a summary of what was broken off - just not what the parent wants. Third, what is at the style article lead just is not a summary of that article. And fourth, this article already has text -- so no need to consider options for wording questions already solved. Cheers Markbassett ( talk) 03:48, 19 May 2018 (UTC) reply

(edit break)

In terms of vote count, with that change it's now 10-10, a dead heat. In terms of arguments, more or less all the editors opposed argue that no mass shooting should be mentioned unless it was committed with a Colt AR-15. On the other hand, this article has a section about AR-15 style rifles in general, and that's where the edit was. No argument has been advanced for why that section should not mention the mass shootings in which (non-Colt) AR-15 rifles were used, other than "that's not the way I want(ed) it." The argument for inclusion is very clear - those mass shootings are mentioned in the lead of the main AR-15 style article, and for a good reason - they are extremely notable, and leaving them out would be a violation of NPOV. Waleswatcher (talk) 19:37, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
You are wrong about "other than that's not the way I want it". It's entirely reasonable to say we don't need to include material that is tangentially related to the subject of the article in this article. As you have been told by several editors, and as the history of the article shows, the AR-15 style rifle section is meant to show how the generic rifle was derived from the Colt rifle. Claiming it was meant to be a summary of the AR-15 style rifle in general is a self serving claim that isn't supported by the edit history of the article and consensus doesn't support making that change to the article. No reason to discuss it further. Springee ( talk) 19:47, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
"the history of the article" (meaning, the way I/other editors wanted it) - why is that even relevant, let alone an argument? Is this article some kind of walled garden that can't be intruded on or changed? That's just not the way wikipedia works.
In an article on Colt AR-15s it clearly makes sense to have a section summarizing AR-15 style rifles in general. The very fact that there is plenty of confusion regarding what is or is not a Colt AR-15 versus "AR-15 style" strengthens that. And if that section is WP:SYNCed to the lead of the AR-15 style article, we can put an end to this seemingly endless debate here. Note that if, at some time, mentions of mass shootings are removed from the lead of the AR-15 style article, they'd be removed here too. So it's a completely neutral proposal in that sense. Waleswatcher (talk) 19:54, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
It's like... deja vu... - wolf 20:05, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Yes, this is very confusing to people who don't know what they are talking about. So, let's make is simple. The "COLT AR-15" is a semi-automatic rifle made by "Colt's Manufacturing Company." The term "AR-15 style rifle" was invented by a handful of Wikipedia editors to describe similar rifles made by other manufactures.-- RAF910 ( talk) 20:24, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Our article was created on 12/12/12, this [28] is from 2 years before, so no we did not invent the term. Slatersteven ( talk) 07:55, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply
  • It's 10-10? Guess what? This isn't a vote. "No argument has been advanced for why..."? Except for all the other times we've discussed this. I'll be blunt here: It's pretty arrogant for you to act like no previous discussions happened. The simple fact is that you've really brought nothing new to the table, yet you demand everyone jump through all your hoops. Niteshift36 ( talk) 20:13, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
"It's 10-10? Guess what? This isn't a vote." My point precisely, thanks for agreeing. The vote is a tie, but the arguments in favor of inclusion (or simply syncing) are much stronger. Anyway, when I get around to it I will take this to a larger audience at the village pump, so there's not much point in continuing to discuss it here now. Waleswatcher (talk) 20:21, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
What I "agree" with is that there's no consensus to add what you want. Now you resort to forum shopping. No shocker there. Niteshift36 ( talk) 21:16, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
As you've already be told, that could be considered forum shopping. And, as you've also already been told, it would probably be more advisable for you to request an uninvolved admin (at WP:ANRFC) to review the discussion here and determine if there is a consensus. Actually, anybody could do that, and in fact, if someone were to go do that, like right now, it just might help bring this... situation... to an end. (I'd do it myself, but... I got a... thing... at the... whatsis... so... busy). - theWOLFchild 20:51, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
AS I see it the above conversation has drawn to a close, we know who thinks what. Now we either need fresh input or an admin to make a decision as to which side has achieved consensus. So it seems to me we either have an RFC to attract fresh eyes (I would prefer there to be an understanding that those of us who have already expressed an opinion are assumed to hold the same opinion unless they change it, so as to not glog up the RFC with the same arguments), or we close. Slatersteven ( talk) 08:10, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply
The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

Village pump discussion on "Should the section Colt AR-15#AR-15 style rifle be a copy of the lead of AR-15 style rifle"?

Here. Waleswatcher (talk) 21:31, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply

@ Waleswatcher: I've closed that. And please learn how to properly hold a WP:RFC. If editors wish, I will turn the above conversation into a proper RFC with an appropriate question. -- NeilN talk to me 22:51, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I had actually dropped by the VPP page to request a close. Waleswatcher, aside from forumshopping, VPP is, to quote the big box at the top of this page, "not the place to resolve disputes (emphasis is not mine) over how a policy should be implemented." Mr rnddude ( talk) 22:53, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
@ NeilN: Sorry, but I don't understand the objection here. The question I asked in the village pump is not the same as the debate over an edit I made to that section. I acknowledge they are related, but they are clearly not the same. Nor is there any dispute to resolve. The question is what the policy should be with regard to that subsection - WP:SYNC or something else. Waleswatcher (talk) 22:57, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
@ Waleswatcher: My understanding is that you're trying to clarify whether or not WP:SYNC is a policy that requires the use of summary style in this section, is that correct? – dlthewave 23:03, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
@ Waleswatcher: "That subsection should briefly summarize the AR-15 style rifle page, as is standard. The most important elements of that article should be mentioned (if briefly)." "Should the section Colt AR-15#AR-15 style rifle be a (verbatim or nearly so) copy of the lead of its main article AR-15 style rifle, as per WP:SYNC." Don't be wikilawyering here. Anyone familiar with the situation can see it's a re-framing of the same point. Figure out how to implement SYNC using this talk page. -- NeilN talk to me 23:10, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply

( edit conflict):@ NeilN: - perhaps you could review the existing discussion and straw poll entries to determine if there is already a consensus supporting Ww's requested edit? Then perhaps this can finally be done with, one way or the other. - theWOLFchild 23:21, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply

@ Thewolfchild: No, sorry. I don't think it's good practice for one admin to both judge consensus for content and be implementing sanctions in the same area. Too much "judge, jury, and executioner" for my taste if I have to sanction an editor for editing against a consensus I declared. -- NeilN talk to me 23:30, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply

@ NeilN: "If editors wish, I will turn the above conversation into a proper RFC with an appropriate question." OK, please do so. Thanks. Waleswatcher (talk) 23:38, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply

@ Waleswatcher: Being careful not to invalidate the responses, I will stick closely to your original wording:
Should the Colt AR-15#AR-15 style rifle subsection briefly summarize the content on the AR-15 style rifle page? Specifically, the relation between such rifles and the Colt version, some details on variations, how widespread they are, and most especially their use in mass shootings." -- NeilN talk to me 23:48, 16 May 2018 (UTC) reply
I believe the question I asked on VPP is better because it's more neutral - it doesn't mandate any specific content, just that the section summarizes the lead (added for clarity: irrespective of what it says). And if these two are indeed so similar, it shouldn't hurt to use that one. But, I defer to your wisdom. Waleswatcher (talk) 00:01, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply
NeilN, as posted that question would likely result in an ambiguous response. Consider my position. Based on the history and context of the article that section explains the link between the generic AR pattern rifles and the Colt AR-15 (tm). I support that current scope. That means I would say yes to part of your question, the relation between such rifles and the Colt version, maybe to some, some details on variations, (to the extent that they are different that the original Colt patents) and no to material about crimes/controversies that are related to the generic pattern rifle but not the Colt produced rifles. So such a question wouldn't answer the issue here. Thanks Springee ( talk) 00:09, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply
@ Springee: I can't substantially change what editors have already replied to. You can certainly provide a nuanced response and the closer can find consensus to include certain material only. -- NeilN talk to me 00:17, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply
<edit conflict> @ Springee: Whereas with the VPP version (if this section should copy the AR-15 style lead verbatim) you could simply vote no. Anyway, I realize I'm at least partially at fault for creating this messy situation. Apologies for that. (In my defense, it's not as though wiki policies and guidelines and venues and RfCs and VPPs and ANIs are so easy to navigate...). Waleswatcher (talk) 00:24, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply
@ NeilN - fair enough I get why you wouldn't evaluate the consensus, but as for having someone do it, as opposed to starting another RfC... wouldn't that make sense? There has already been a great deal of discussion and debate over this particular edit, with numerous editors taking part. Instead prolonging this, even trying to start it all over again, I'm thinking that perhaps the consensus to add the edit, or the lack of consensus to add it and just keeping it out, might already be found on this page. Maybe you, or someone could request an uninvolved admin or experienced editor from ANRFC to review this and it could be resolved now, instead of potentially weeks from now. Just a thought. - theWOLFchild 00:27, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply
If the RFC doesn't draw in any new responses after a while then editors can consider asking someone to close. -- NeilN talk to me 02:35, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply
Waleswatcher, your RfC had a lot of issues but it also had a strong point, the question was black and white. I would summarize your question as, "Y/N; should the section in question be a summary of the generic rifle article?" I largely think that question has already been answered above but that is at least one part of a good RfC. I do get your comment about Wikipedia being hard to navigate at times like these. Often the best way to learn is to see how others do it and largely copy them. You can also ask involved editors to help formulate the question etc. Asking an involved editor (on either 'side') avoids issues of canvassing. My self serving suggestion here would be to let this one go. Their is plenty of fighting friendly constructive debating left to do at the AR-15 style rifle page. Springee ( talk) 00:49, 17 May 2018 (UTC) reply

AR

So what is the reason for not saying AR stands for Armalite Rifle in the lead, it not its name an important feature of a product? Slatersteven ( talk) 08:39, 29 June 2018 (UTC) reply

I was wondering the same myself. I was truly surprised to see it removed, with an ineffective Edit summary. One complaint I have heard from gun enthusiasts about those wanting increased controls on guns is that such people are ignorant, and don't know what they are talking about, and even think that AR stands for Assault Rifle. Why not make sure they do know the truth? HiLo48 ( talk) 08:48, 29 June 2018 (UTC) reply
Actually a reason was given (I did not see it until after I posted this) that it is because the TM name is AR and not Armnalite. Slatersteven ( talk) 08:59, 29 June 2018 (UTC) reply
This conversation is becoming silly. I DID NOT say no reason was given, so there is no point you saying "Actually a reason was given". The reason given, the Edit summary, was "Returned to earlier version.". Sorry, that's not a reason. HiLo48 ( talk) 09:10, 29 June 2018 (UTC) reply
OK then allow me to say it is a different way. My objection was because I saw no reason why it was removed, I have now seen a reason why it was removed. Slatersteven ( talk) 09:23, 29 June 2018 (UTC) reply

No splitting history

My edit summary doesn't seem to have populated properly. In short, there's no good reason to split the one line about the Australian long gun restrictions from the rest of the history section. It's a part of the history of the firearm, and we shouldn't be burying it in a section at the bottom. Simonm223 ( talk) 15:54, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

Actually there may be as a notable controversy that changed nations law. It can thus be argued it deserved its own section. Slatersteven ( talk) 16:00, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
If it were expanded into an in depth section it would maybe be warranted. But as a repository for a single-line mention I think it's better in History. I would not oppose an expansion though. Simonm223 ( talk) 16:01, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
I will politely ask @ 72bikers: to self-revert as they are reinserting a reverted edit of an issue currently under discussion at talk. Again. Simonm223 ( talk) 16:07, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Expansion may be a good idea, any suggestions? Slatersteven ( talk) 16:18, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
We could provide some context surrounding the attack, like a one-para summary wikilinking to the main attack article; but also it looks like the use of the word "high capacity" may be unnecessary in that sentence. If I'm reading the source correctly, Australia banned all self-loading rifles and shotguns, not just high-capacity ones. Simonm223 ( talk) 16:26, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Regardless, if we do fork off the section on this facet of the history of the weapon, it should follow immediately after the history section rather than being buried under technical specifications. Simonm223 ( talk) 16:28, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
OK seems good. Slatersteven ( talk) 16:28, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
You are attempting to circumvent the above consensus on this matter. I would remind you that you may be sanction for your actions. Restoring original research is also a sanctionable offense. I could care less of your actions, that would appear to be just trying to get a rise out of me. Your anger would seem to be clouding your judgment, I would advise you to tread lightly. - 72bikers ( talk) 16:52, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
You don't understand how consensus works. What we're doing here is establishing a consensus. The fact that there's a talk topic here where we're discussing revisions to that text is precisely how you're supposed to do this sort of thing. Now if you have something constructive to contribute to this discussion, please do. But cut it out with the veiled threats. WP:BATTLEGROUND exists for a reason. Simonm223 ( talk) 16:54, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
The consensus was about inclusion, not location. I undid an edit that did not only removed OR and I have not undone your removal now that is all you have done (72 bikers). Slatersteven ( talk) 16:59, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
If you choose to get blocked so be it. Have fun with that. You would also appear to be using I'm rubber your glue, as far as warnings. Cheers - 72bikers ( talk) 17:02, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

This is for discussion of improvements to the article, any comments about users have no place here. I am asking all users to stop, you do not issue warnings here. As such I will simply ignore them. Slatersteven ( talk) 17:05, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

Proposed revised text

Section head = Port Arthur massacre, immediately following History section:

From 28-29 April, 1996 Martin Bryant killed 35 people and injured 23 more in a mass shooting which became known as the the Port Arthur massacre, during which he used a Colt AR-15 and a .308 FN rifle. It was one of the deadliest mass shootings in Australian history and resulted in the National Firearms Programme Implementation Act 1996 which restricted the ownership of all self-loading rifles and shotguns. [1] [2] [3] In addition, the Australian government initiated a mandatory "buy-back" scheme with the owners paid according to a table of valuations. Some 643,000 firearms were handed in through this program. [4]

Sources

  1. ^ "Firearms in Australia: a guide to electronic resources". aph.gov.au. Commonwealth of Australia. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  2. ^ "How Australia Passed Gun Control: The Port Arthur Massacre and Beyond". Foreign Affairs. October 13, 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  3. ^ Wahlquist, Calla (14 March 2016). "It took one massacre: how Australia embraced gun control after Port Arthur". The Guardian.
  4. ^ "Firearms Regulations FAQ". Attorney General's Department. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2016.

Thoughts? Simonm223 ( talk) 16:40, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

Yep can go with that. Slatersteven ( talk) 16:59, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Oppose location, OK with content: Rewinding to where this started, I understand it looks odd to have the Port Arthur single sentence hanging out by itself and it does make sense to incorporate it into the history section even though that isn't what typically goes in the history section of a firearms article. The format of firearms articles generally is intro followed by a history of development, followed by operation of the mechanism and typically use/controversies etc towards the end of the article. Basically we say what it is and it's development history first. The politics stuff goes later. Here we had the Port Arthur as a stand alone section which does look odd as a one liner. However, we also have previous debate and consensus regarding how much Port Arthur content should be here vs in the primary article. Consensus only specifically supported the one sentence but as a stand alone section these new changes aren't out of hand so I wouldn't object to the addition. However, if we are going to expand the Port Arthur material then I would say it goes back to the end of the article were it was last week (previous consensus location), not right after history, above operation etc. This order of presentation is something that was discussed previously (but I don't recall if it was here or at the AR-15 article). Springee ( talk) 17:18, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Question What's the rationale for burying the most historically notable thing about the gun at the bottom of the article after a step-by-step on how to break down the gun? That doesn't seem appropriate. Simonm223 ( talk) 17:20, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
First (and not in any particular order) is previous consensus. I don't see that we have consensus to change this. Second, is that we have used this format for many articles so it helps consistency. Third is we have to distinguish between the significance of the event (high) and the significance of the event to the subject of the article (what impact did the shooting have to the subject of the article?). This is a point I've raised a number of times and it's interesting that consensus is very clear on this in other context. My go to example is a combination RfC I was involved with.[ [29]] While the Oklahoma City bombing was without question very notable and the use of a Ford F-600 to carry out the bombing was a critical part of the story, editors were overwhelmingly against inclusion of the bombing in the truck's article. The consensus was clear that in context of the subject the bombing wasn't significant. That same argument is stands here. Springee ( talk) 17:33, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
And there is a world of difference between something being used, and something actually affecting a nations laws. And no and RFC on one topic has no impact on anther topic. Slatersteven ( talk) 17:37, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
( edit conflict)The comparison at the end might hold more weight if Ford F-600s were designed to be bombs. That being said, consensus can change, and I would suggest that a whole class of firearms getting banned in a previously pro-gun jurisdiction as a result of a mass shooting perpetrated with the weapon in question is pretty significant to the history of the gun. Especially immediately following the line above this which deals with the American gun control legislation which briefly affected the sale of this gun. Unless we're suggesting that what happens to regulation in Australia is less notable than what happens to regulation in the United States. Simonm223 ( talk) 17:38, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
(reply to both comments above)SS, the point remains the same, what was the impact to the Colt AR-15? The use of the Colt brand firearm (or even that it was an AR-15 type rifle) isn't widely associated with the crime. Look at the previous RfCs. This wasn't a snowball type RfC favoring inclusion. At the same time, the location was agreed upon after a big RfC so we shouldn't, as just a handful of editors, change that location. Simonm, yes, it's significant in the history of gun laws/ gun control but not as much in terms of the AR-15 itself. There is strong precedent in many articles for the previous layout. Background, what it is, then what happened when it was released. As an other example I was involved with, look at the Ford Pinto article. The Pinto is clearly and widely associated with gas tank fires. As such that was put in the intro but we still retained the traditional vehicle article layout starting with the history of the design, the tech details of the article then what happened once the vehicle was on the road. Springee ( talk) 17:48, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Just to be clear, I'm OK with the text. I just think the earlier order of presentation should be retained. Springee ( talk) 17:49, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
So why then are USA laws there? They can be no more or less significant? Slatersteven ( talk) 17:50, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Exactly, it seems an artificial division to say that subsequently-deprecated firearm legislation in the USA is historically relevant to the gun but firearm legislation in Australia, currently in effect and drafted explicitly in response to the gun is not. Simonm223 ( talk) 17:55, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

*Oppose change this has been discussed to death over and over again. The August 26 version is more than adequate.-- RAF910 ( talk) 17:51, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

I'm not sure how the words "more than adequate" could be applied to cordoning off an important but inconvenient historical event at the bottom of the article where it's less likely to be read when there's equivalent end-results (weapons bans) kept in the history section with a more tenuous connection directly to the weapon in question. Simonm223 ( talk) 18:21, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

Aright, then since you insist on doing this again. Lets start at the beginning..I vote to remove Port Arthur massacre section from the article altogether.-- RAF910 ( talk) 18:28, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

That is not what is being discussed, why is it that US law is considered a vital part of the weapons history but not Australian law? It should not be hard question to answer. Slatersteven ( talk) 18:30, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

We can discuss anything we want here. You have opened the door and I have made my proposal. I vote to remove Port Arthur massacre section from the article altogether.-- RAF910 ( talk) 18:33, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

  • Oppose change: This has been discussed by a large number of editors and a conclusion has been made. Two editors don't get to state they have a consensus among themselves and make drastic changes to a controversial subject.
As to the content and placement my edit would address these issues raised [30] or something to this affect.
Though I would not object to just a see also. - 72bikers ( talk) 18:46, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
See Also seems to be a nice compromise. Although, I reserve the right to make a counter proposal.-- RAF910 ( talk) 18:55, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support location and content: the natural evolution of existing content; would be an improvement. (Perhaps this should be converted to an RfC to draw a wider participation). K.e.coffman ( talk) 18:51, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Yes, let's have another RfC to discuss removing Port Arthur massacre section from the article altogether-- RAF910 ( talk) 18:55, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Is this being proposed as an option? K.e.coffman ( talk) 19:01, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
I am open to an RFC on my proposed revision and placement; however before going out and notifying the appropriate wikiprojects, I'd suggest we hash out exactly what proposals we're putting forward. I would, for obvious reasons, put forward my proposal - location and content - as proposal 1 for the RFC, but if there are any others to include, let's hash that out now. Simonm223 ( talk) 19:08, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
I would suggest we work to come up with a solution rather than starting yet another RfC. Personally I think this would be a bit like forum shopping. We recently closed an RfC on the subject. The material was placed and now that just enough editors have moved on or been blocked etc we are reopening virtually the same discussion. If nothing else, we currently don't have consensus for any change so things should be left alone. However, the concerns that kicked this off were not without merit. Expanding the PA material as Simon suggested seems like a good way to address the "one sentence section" concern. I'm also OK changing the name of the section and moving the 1994 ban material into a common section. However, there is strong precedent in other articles (firearms and others) as to the order of material presentation. Let's not screw with that. Springee ( talk) 19:17, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
If we're going to fork off all the legislative history of the AR-15 from the manufacturing history of the AR-15 then I think it's as important to be clear that the manufacturing history is just that and nothing else. And furthermore, I'd not support the section title of "Banned" as it's vague. However I'd accept this as a compromise.
Section headers 1: Manufacturing history; 2: Operating mechanism; 3: Features; 4: Impact on gun control legislation (including both of the gun ban related topics with my revised text for Port Arthur); 5: AR-15 Style Rifle

6 onward unchanged. Simonm223 ( talk) 19:24, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

Thanks, I think we are getting somewhere. I'm not sure "Impact on gun control legislation" is quite the right heading since I'm not sure the Ar-15 was causal in the 1994 AWB. If I recall that was set off by a crime committed with an AK pattern rifle. What about "Legislation and Prohibitions"? You won't hurt my feelings if you don't like it. Springee ( talk) 19:35, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

72bikers moved both the 1994 AWB info and the Port Arthur material into a common section. I can think of justifications for keeping the AWB material in the history section (since it directly impacted the Colt Ar-15) but I'm indifferent on the location (in a section with PA or history). Springee ( talk) 18:35, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

The Port Arthur massacre had no impact on the history of the Colt AR-15. It did not stop production. It did not force a redesign. All it did was prevent them from being imported into Australia. No differently than the other 170 countries that prohibit the importation of Colt AR-15s. Therefore, it is not worth mentioning. I vote to remove Port Arthur massacre section from the article altogether.-- RAF910 ( talk) 19:13, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Agreed it is a American product. What any one small country does to its own laws has no impact. A see also would be appropriate or at best some small mention as I presented. But clearly the attempt to force the content into the top of the page is not constructive. This has been debated to great lengths with a large number of editor. Were are the new sources that would change the views of its importance to the article. I feel editor are not doing the research needed for such drastic changes and just presenting there personal views. - 72bikers ( talk) 19:30, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Absolutely not. As @ Springee: pointed out, whether or not to include the Port Arthur massacre was just subject to an RFC. Your attempts to piggyback discussion of my revision to that content into another crack at that can is dubious at best. Simonm223 ( talk) 19:34, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Yes it was. I very specifically worded RfC which you are attempting to change. As a result you have opened the door to any other changes or proposals by other editors. I vote to remove Port Arthur massacre section from the article altogether.-- RAF910 ( talk) 19:41, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
A revision does not invalidate the RfC - why the heck do you believe that's at all the case? As in, show your policy sources. Simonm223 ( talk) 19:44, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
So, what your saying is, that only your changes can be discussed and all other proposal violate some unnamed policy. Fascinating. I vote to remove Port Arthur massacre section from the article altogether. It had no impact on the history of the Colt AR-15 and was not the only weapon used that day. If an AK-47 was used instead, the results would had been the same.-- RAF910 ( talk) 20:05, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
The RFC was for inclusion, with a specific text suggested. Nothing in the decision however makes the text sacrosanct, as the question was about inclusion of a mention of the massacre, not the exact wording. However it can be argued that some may well have only said yes on the basis of the text. This however does not affect placement, which was not mentioned in the RFC. So I suggest we stop discussion about inclusion or re-writing of the text and discus only its placement. Slatersteven ( talk) 20:33, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Furthermore, if you were being sincere about these !votes you just !voted three times in a row. Just saying. I mean, I still contend that your argument that any revision of the copy vacates the original RfC to be patently absurd, but regardless, strike through your extra !votes. Simonm223 ( talk) 12:12, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply

Those wishing to challenge the decision of the RFC need to inform all participating parties of the RFC the case has been reopened. Slatersteven ( talk) 20:26, 4 September 2018 (UTC) reply

  • Support location and content: literally thousands of users come to this article looking for information on AR-15 use in mass shootings and find... nothing. Not only should we expand discussion of the Port Arthur shooting, we should direct users to the AR-15 style rifle page for information on the many others that involved an AR-15 style rifle (other than the Colt). The fact that we don't violates common sense, not to mention NPOV. Waleswatcher (talk) 03:34, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
PA has it's own article which is linked from this one so there is no reason to expand the content further than what is proposed. Linking to the AR-15 mass shooting material would make no sense as was previously discussed. Your claim that literally thousands of readers come here for that information is pure supposition and fails the sniff test. It was previously true when the general AR-15 search term landed here. That is no longer the case. Your comment doesn't justify the location within the article other than suggesting your personal preference while ignoring both previous consensus and the layout that editors have adopted across many similar articles. Finally, your NPOV claim is wrong. As was discussed in the previous RFC(s) the PA shooting is not widely associated with the Colt AR-15 or even AR-15s in general. Most articles don't mention AR-15 at all. Springee ( talk) 09:47, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Springee, it's not supposition, it's fact. Waleswatcher (talk) 21:39, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support content, oppose "section header" - It gives undue prominence to cordon a couple sentences into its own section. This was a significant event in Australian history. The key words here "Australian history". It shouldn't have it's own section at all. I've been baffled as to why a one sentence paragraph is given its own personal header up to this point. I'd noted it ages ago, but couldn't be bothered questioning it. It would seem most logical to me for the Port Arthur massacre to be incorporated into the history section. There's nothing about this episode in Australian history that makes it more significant than the sum of it's history in the U.S. or the rest of the world. Mr rnddude ( talk) 10:39, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support content, oppose "section header" The content seems overall fine. I would oppose it having it's own section though. I agree with Springee and Mr rnddude that it should just be in the history section, not it's own section. It was an important even, that is why it is in the article, but not so much to need it's own section. That gives it to much weight given the history of the rifle. I also strongly disagree with the argument "literally thousands of users come to this article looking for information on AR-15 use in mass shootings" that makes little to no sense. First if someone is looking for information on the AR-15 the search on wikipedia goes to AR-15 style rifle by default not here. Also when they go to that article it has a section on mass shootings there, because that is the proper place for it. Now if they are looking for information about this specific mass shooting, well that would take them to Port Arthur massacre (Australia) which would have all the info they need there. If they are coming here to find out about either of those they have done a wrong. PackMecEng ( talk) 11:46, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
I may be wrong but I think Springee thinks it should be in its won section, and not part of the general history. Slatersteven ( talk) 12:04, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
I think that's the case. Also as a note as the original proposer, my original intention was to include the Port Arthur information into the general history section; my compromise of expansion + split was precisely that. But if the consensus emerges that it should be fully integrated into history I will be supportive. Simonm223 ( talk) 12:09, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
The history section is generally for the development an production history of the rifle. If the PA material is just a single sentence then I agree it's odd to have it in a stand alone section and 'history' is an ok place for it in that case. The proposed version is long enough that I'm ok with it being a stand alone. It isn't a reasonable part of the design/development/production history of the rifle. I want to respect the order of information on the article. The first sections are about the gun itself, not the impact the gun had on the market or others. If the material is stand alone it should remain where it is. Also, previously a question was asked why the 1994 AWB material was in the history section. It's a fair question and an argument certainly can be made that it didn't belong in a development history section. However, that ban did impact the production and design of the product and this is the backdrop for design/production changes. This it is reasonable to mention it there just as we might mention running changes to a car to meet new emissions requirements. As a compromise I think moving the AWB info in with the PA discussion was ok but I also think they can logically be discussed separately. So if we expand the PA material it shouldn't be added into the current history section (or as a subsection). Keep it in the current location. If it stays with current content then I'm ok moving it to history. Springee ( talk) 14:00, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support content and location - The proposed text is more informative than the current version and is still a very short paragraph. I would also support including it as a subsection of History. – dlthewave 12:25, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply

Both For 3 or 4 (does the nominator support?) Against 2

Content For 3 Against 0

Location in history (rather than own section) For 2 Against 1

I am not sure this is a clear enough consensus for us to change it. Slatersteven ( talk) 15:57, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply

I figured it was strong enough to at least supplant the late-August version as a working version pending fine-tuning to the section header issue. Nobody has brought up any substantive concerns with the content. But if people prefer to leave that version up for now until we get more comments in I'm fine to leave it alone for a few days. Simonm223 ( talk) 16:24, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Yes I would like it left a few days, this is not enough time for everyone to see this. Slatersteven ( talk) 16:28, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
I think a bit of waiting is good. Also, I'm not for or against the text change. I'm OK in that I won't protest the change but I'm also fine with the current text. As for location again that is depending on context. I'm OK in the history section if we move the Aug 26th text into the history section as is. If we expand it then no, it should stay later in the article in either its own section or a section combined with other related material. At this point I would say we are getting close to a consensus on content but no consensus on location. Springee ( talk) 17:33, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Comment The proposed text is crap. Not so much its spirit, but the writing. For starters, the first word should surely be "On", not "from". And maybe better expressed altogether. The dates with a dash could be confusing. The event wasn't "one of the deadliest mass shootings in Australian history". It was "THE deadliest". As an Australian, I would also like to see more than just the legal specifics. It wasn't just the law that changed. It was a whole culture. Whenever Australians are surveyed on it now, the new gun laws are shown to be extremely popular. HiLo48 ( talk) 23:45, 5 September 2018 (UTC) reply
I think HiLo48 makes some good editorial comments. I'm not sure the best way to start the sentence. I don't think "On 28-29 April..." is correct either but I could be wrong. I agree that "From..." sounds odd. Also agree that it should be "the deadliest..." I understand the wish to include more information but that is why there is a link to the primary article for additional information and details. Springee ( talk) 01:21, 6 September 2018 (UTC) reply
We should not add too much information about this, this is not about the massacre. Slatersteven ( talk) 08:55, 6 September 2018 (UTC) reply
"On" is definitely grammatically incorrect for addressing a sequence of days. If the massacre was about a specific day that'd be different. Most of the rest of the text was boosted directly from the lede of the massacre article including the dashed date and "one of the deadliest." However, how's this for a revision:
Between 28 and 29 April, 1996 Martin Bryant killed 35 people and injured 23 in the Port Arthur massacre, during which he used a Colt AR-15 and a .308 FN rifle. It was the deadliest mass shooting in Australian history and resulted in the National Firearms Programme Implementation Act 1996 which restricted the ownership of all self-loading rifles and shotguns. [1] [2] [3] In addition, the Australian government initiated a mandatory "buy-back" scheme with the owners paid according to a table of valuations. Some 643,000 firearms were handed in through this program. [4] This incident had a lasting impact on Australian culture, substantially changing the public perception toward firearm ownership. [new ref supporting this statement] Simonm223 ( talk) 12:13, 6 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Sources

  1. ^ "Firearms in Australia: a guide to electronic resources". aph.gov.au. Commonwealth of Australia. 9 August 2007. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  2. ^ "How Australia Passed Gun Control: The Port Arthur Massacre and Beyond". Foreign Affairs. October 13, 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
  3. ^ Wahlquist, Calla (14 March 2016). "It took one massacre: how Australia embraced gun control after Port Arthur". The Guardian.
  4. ^ "Firearms Regulations FAQ". Attorney General's Department. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved March 2, 2016.
I would keep the last part off. The "lasting impact" pushes the paragraph into the politics and social views on gun ownership and away from the basic facts of the case. Even some of the details like the use of a valuation table may be too much detail for this article but not enough to make a fuss about one way or the other. Springee ( talk) 13:13, 6 September 2018 (UTC) reply
I'm not wedded to it. I was trying to address HiLo48's concern. But on those rare occasions you and Slatersteven agree, chances are it's an idea worth considering, ;) I'm happy enough to leave it off it that's what consensus prefers. Simonm223 ( talk) 13:16, 6 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Entirely over detailed for this article. - 72bikers ( talk) 15:34, 6 September 2018 (UTC) reply
It's evident that the consensus is that either the statement should be expanded beyond a single sentence or it should be incorporated into the history header. Are you saying you would support inclusion of the extant copy into the history header rather than expanding? Because me trying to do that is what kicked off this whole discussion and back then you were adamantly opposed to that. Simonm223 ( talk) 15:51, 6 September 2018 (UTC) reply
If it is one sentence I think it should not have its own section, it just looks off and over empathizes it. Slatersteven ( talk) 09:07, 7 September 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Simonm223 put the consensus text into the article. Since it was put in as a stand alone section I've moved it after the description of the rifle itself. This is consistent with many other articles on Wikipedia (what is it followed by its larger impact). Also I don't think we had a consensus to move the stand alone section to just after history. This also makes the layout consistent with the FN rifle article, FN_FAL, and L1A1 Self-Loading Rifle article. The FN page doesn't mention the Port Arthur shooting at all but this may be a case of common origin but one is the licensed version of the other. The L1A1(which is linked from the Port Arthur shooting page) only very briefly mentions the shooting at only at the end of the article in context of civilian ownership. This begs the question why the L1A1 rifle page is treated differently vs the AR-15 page. The relative use of each rifle is unclear. It would seem reasonable to synchronize the two articles. Springee ( talk) 13:04, 20 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Springee, brings up valid points. - 72bikers ( talk) 15:20, 20 September 2018 (UTC) reply
Possibly because we do not mention any laws affecting it in its history section? Slatersteven ( talk) 15:26, 20 September 2018 (UTC) reply

Port Arthur heading

@ Simonm223:, @ ProntComando:, I think ProntoComando is correct in that we don't need a hot link in the title because it exists in the first sentence of the section. Per MOS:DL we should just have one link. Does it make more sense to keep the link in the section header or the intro sentence? Springee ( talk) 18:29, 3 October 2018 (UTC) reply

My personal preference is to keep it in the section header - from a usability perspective. Simonm223 ( talk) 18:30, 3 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • According to the MOS:HEAD guideline, section headings should not contain links. I prefer the standard practice of using a "main article" template directly below the heading. In this case the section is so short that it make sense to link the first mention within the section. – dlthewave 20:28, 3 October 2018 (UTC) reply
@ Springee:, @ Simonm223: Thanks for the acknowledgment Springee, don't make sense to have two links of a same article in the same section, for me the link should be in the intro sentence, which would seem more natural, when the reader is reading, he will access the link to know more, don't make sense to place the link in the section header if the reader did not read the text.-- ProntComando ( talk) 21:09, 3 October 2018 (UTC) reply
Clear case of overlink. - 72bikers ( talk) 23:42, 3 October 2018 (UTC) reply
I agree it is not needed. Slatersteven ( talk) 08:54, 4 October 2018 (UTC) reply
I disagree about where to position it because, from a design perspective, links in headers are more immediately visible and it's a short enough section to be visible throughout. But it's not a hill I'm prepared to die on. Simonm223 ( talk) 12:11, 4 October 2018 (UTC) reply
consider me trouted
The following discussion has been closed. Please do not modify it.
I see @ 72bikers: eventually got around to editing it. I will point out that this consensus had not formed at the time I made the edit, and their pointed edit summary was rather disregarding the sequence of events. I have no intention of edit warring over it though, never fear. Simonm223 ( talk) 15:40, 10 October 2018 (UTC) reply
And he was right, there was no consensus for your "compromise". Slatersteven ( talk) 15:56, 10 October 2018 (UTC) reply
Yeah, you'll notice I'm not putting it back. And you'll notice at the time I did it, it was immediately after Springee first pinged me. IE: before the current consensus arose. It was an attempt at a compromise. The fact that attempt was rejected by consensus is neither here nor there. Simonm223 ( talk) 15:58, 10 October 2018 (UTC) reply
My grouse is that as 72bikers waited six days to actually action the decision they supported, and then threw a highly pointed edit summary on it; their response was not really apropos. Had I been going down the WP:1AM rabbit hole or engaged in even the faintest hint of edit warring after the discussion concluded that'd be different. I did neither of those things. And since my complaint is with their edit summary rather than their edit itself I had little recourse other than to grumble at talk. Simonm223 ( talk) 16:02, 10 October 2018 (UTC) reply
Then report it, this is not the place to grouse about other eds actions. Slatersteven ( talk) 16:13, 10 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Correct or incorrect, Simon's edits were all in good faith. Springee ( talk) 22:57, 10 October 2018 (UTC) reply

Specifying "civilian" in the description

It's WP:WEASEL plain and simple. It's an attempt to introduce a specific POV about the weapon and I question how WP:DUE it is. Simonm223 ( talk) 12:30, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply

Agreed. What makes it "civilian grade" apart from being semi-automatic? If there is in fact some other specific characteristic that makes it "civilian grade", the article should report that feature, not use vague ill-defined terms. Waleswatcher (talk) 12:47, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply

That is a fair question. The general AR-15 does have a section that specifically address this question. That material should probably also be added here since it 100% applies. Springee ( talk) 12:54, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • I don't think the impact to the article is significant one way or the other. The sourcing we have does support adding the civilian claim though it would be better to say civilian and law enforcement since that follows the source Red Rock Canyon mentioned. It is very clear based on the evidence that Colt created the semi auto rifle to be able to sell it outside of the restrictions on sales of full auto rifles. Like I said, I'm indifferent on the change but I, respectfully, don't agree with Simonm223's argument for the reversal. Springee ( talk) 12:50, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • The AR-15 was developed specifically for the civilian market rather than military. It is an important distinction. PackMecEng ( talk) 12:51, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
Agreed, and the article should say so clearly and in plain language. Waleswatcher (talk) 13:02, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
What language would be more plain than civilian? PackMecEng ( talk) 13:08, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • While we may also differ on whether law enforcement should be considered "civilian," I will suggest that with no contextualization, just calling it a "civilian" weapon is POV pushing compared to your more nuanced created to be able to sell it outside of the restrictions on sales of full auto rifles. I would not object to a statement that said that. But a statement that just calls the weapon "civilian" is not doing that. Simonm223 ( talk) 12:54, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
    • See that statement goes the other way on POV pushing. I think every source talking about the history of the AR-15, even modern ones, talk about it as a rifle developed for the civilian market. [31] [32] [33] PackMecEng ( talk) 13:07, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
      • Again, all I'm asking is that the statement be more contextualized than a single-word reference. I provided Springee's statement here at talk as an example of contextualization. Simonm223 ( talk) 13:09, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply

I made an edit that essentially just moved the phrase about civilian and law enforcement markets to the previous sentence. I think it reads better that way anyway, and hopefully it's OK with people here and addresses this point (if not revert or edit, obviously). Waleswatcher (talk) 13:12, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply

  • I'm sort of indifferent on the change. I just thought that Simonm's initial reason for removing the text was simply wrong, since there were sources in the article supporting the language. I think the current lead works well with changes by Waleswatcher. Red Rock Canyon ( talk) 13:18, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
( edit conflict) Grumpy Monday Simon is grumpy, but yeah, that provides at least some context and doesn't lead to WP:WEASLE doubling of the phrase "civilian". I don't think I'll ever get satisfaction on the "we need to stop treating police - excluding those in the Federal services - as not-civilian" as long as I live on this continent, but that's a whole other kettle of rather particularly pedantic fish. Simonm223 ( talk) 13:20, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • I didn't include this in my earlier comment but I think we should add a section that outlines the differences between the civilian and military versions of the rifles. Colt made a number of changes to make sure the semi-auto rifles couldn't be readily converted to fully auto by swapping in a few parts from an automatic version. Here is the section in the AR-15 article. [ [34]] I would suggest copying this over (with tractability to the other article). Springee ( talk) 13:43, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply

.

  • If everyone else is good with the "civilian and law-enforcement customers" I am fine with it. Also with Springee's suggestion I think that would be a good idea as well to give addition clarifications of the technical differences. Though I am not sure if it should be here or the general AR article, since it is something all the AR variants does. Then again it is what Colt specifically developed for it. I do not know the best answer. PackMecEng ( talk) 14:08, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
I think we can start with a straight up copy of content here. Colt was the company that actually did the work and it was done when the patents were still active. The generic rifles simply copied the choices Colt had made. It's good information to have in both. As I said, in this article, well Colt did the actual work. In the generic article, the one that probably gets more traffic, it's still good background information for readers. If that information were located only here many readers would likely not find it/read it after reviewing the AR-15 page. Springee ( talk) 14:11, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
I have no objection to including that, although I think it would be a good idea to double-check and make sure the info is accurate and doesn't overstate the differences. Waleswatcher (talk) 15:57, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
The main difference is the machining for the trigger group. The pocket is smaller and missing some holes on an AR and will not fit the trigger that allows for select fire. PackMecEng ( talk) 16:07, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
OK, I added the text with a few changes as outlined in the edit comment. Springee ( talk) 17:27, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply

Pittsburgh synagogue

I would have thought it was obvious to every reasonable person that this article needs a mention of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. It's about as notable as it gets - reportedly it was the most deadly attack on Jews in the USA in history. Many gun articles - including this one - include sections on their use in notable shootings. So, what on earth is the argument against inclusion? Waleswatcher (talk) 13:16, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply

Just because the gun is notable to the shooting does not mean the shooting is notable to the gun. Your edit has been challenged, please do not edit war to reinsert the material. This event occurred just days ago. Let's at least wait for more sources as the story develops. Red Rock Canyon ( talk) 13:20, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
It does seem like WP:RECENTISM currently. And it is now referenced at Mass shootings in the United States as one of the 20 deadliest. We can wait a few weeks to see if the fact that, yet again, a bigot with a rifle used said rifle to kill a lot of people, again, leads to any discussion of the rifle or just the shooter's bigotry. Simonm223 ( talk) 13:25, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
It already has led to discussion of the rifle, on radio and TV news (I've heard it myself), and here are some print links ("Menendez...says the shooting shows the need for gun control legislation and a new assault weapons ban.") from 60 seconds of googling. It's all over the place. Waleswatcher (talk) 13:33, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Support taking a wait and see approach. Red Rock is also correct, it's not clear that this tragedy is going to have an impact on the rifle. Springee ( talk) 13:38, 29 October 2018 (UTC) reply
Unsure about this, OK it may be the most deadly attack on US Jews, but not sure that is really a feature of the AR-15 (given the low casualty figures). Slatersteven ( talk) 14:30, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply
"low casualty figures"??? Wtf? Eleven people murdered is "low casualties"? The only excuse I can imagine for such a comment is the distorted view you might get from discussing this stuff with the editors that frequent these pages. Maybe you need to take a step back and try to think about this from the point of view of someone not heavily involved. Waleswatcher (talk) 18:12, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply
OK, so what is the average number of victims in a shooting involving an AR-15?, what is fact is the lowest number? Here is a clue, it just scrapes in to the top 20 (along with three others). So yes by US standards not that really that deadly, there are 19 more deadly. Slatersteven ( talk) 18:15, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply
(Edit conflict) Dunno, and I doubt that's even a well-posed question. The point is that this was a horrific, extremely notable event that is certain to have consequences for years into the future. I suppose if the Colt AR-15 had been used for many such events (like AR-15 style rifles in general may have been) there could be a case made to not include each one individually. But that's not the case for the Colt, so there is no such argument. Waleswatcher (talk) 18:21, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply
I doubt will have have any more impact then the 19 more deadly shootings ever have. Unlike port Arthur no laws will change, at best (or worse) there will be thoughts and prayers from those wit the power to do something. No do I think it's notability will last, give it a few more months and another mass shooting will occur and this one will lose its "appeal", which may well break records (as most seem to when an AR-15 is involved). Slatersteven ( talk) 18:26, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Why? Mass shootings in the USA are unexceptional. Use of AR-15s and variants likewise. Andy Dingley ( talk) 18:25, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply
  • Comment I mean I don't think anybody is trying to dispute how absolutely abnormal and shocking it is that the United States has had such a stark increase in mass shooting incidents with fourteen shootings claiming ten or more victims, including six of the ten deadliest shootings in modern US history occurring in the last ten years. But the fact that the country next door is literally half-way to the operating definition of an armed conflict counting only mass shooting deaths in the last 10 years isn't what we're adjudicating here. Mass shootings should be exceptional, and in any sane country we would be. But this article isn't about a sane country. It's about a weapon beloved by an insane country. Simonm223 ( talk) 18:36, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply

Lets not soapbox too much. Slatersteven ( talk) 18:44, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply

Statements like Mass shootings in the USA are unexceptional really upset me. If that soapbox was too much I'll willingly self-revert. Simonm223 ( talk) 18:46, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply

You shouldn't self-revert because what you wrote is self-evident. The problem here isn't you, it's the editors that fight tooth and nail to prevent wikipedia from mentioning the fact that these weapons are responsible for horrific mass murders. I'm sick and tired of it, and I hope the wider community will take note. Waleswatcher (talk) 18:49, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply

This article does mention the fact, we just do not have to list every one. And given your attitude above I cannot support the inclusion of this material, and will now bow out. Slatersteven ( talk) 18:56, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply
What does my attitude have to do with whether or not the material should be included in the article? That's supposed to be based on wiki policy, which in this case warrants inclusion per NPOV. Waleswatcher (talk) 19:37, 30 October 2018 (UTC) reply

Reporting on the use of a rifle

This reporting suggests that the suspect used the rifle. The reference is a bit oblique, but I don't think that the police would have confused a high-powered rifle ("automatic weapon" and "AK") with a handgun.

There are no laws in Pennsylvania that would have prevented Mr. Bowers from owning the guns, including the assault weapon that confronted police who first responded to the shooting. (...) The power of the rifle used in Saturday’s massacre was chillingly revealed in frantic calls over police radio as the killing unfolded. “We’re under fire, we’re under fire. He’s got an automatic weapon. He’s firing out of the front of the synagogue,” came one call over the police radio. “We are pinned down by gunfire.”

Post Gazette. From another report that contains police communications it's clear that the rifle was used. An officer can be heard: "We are taking AK-47 fire from the front of the synagogue". Another, upon entering the building: "We have a spent magazine, looks like a high-powered AK, middle hallway". USA Today story with audio. K.e.coffman ( talk) 01:17, 2 November 2018 (UTC) reply

From a WP:DUE perspective I mainly want to wait and see if the rifle becomes a significant part of the story surrounding this shooting. However from a structural perspective, it should not be added to the sentence about the ten most deadly shootings as it is not one of the ten deadliest shootings in modern US history. Simonm223 ( talk) 11:49, 2 November 2018 (UTC) reply

You guys do know that AK-47s and AR-15s are completely different rifles?-- RAF910 ( talk) 05:57, 6 November 2018 (UTC) reply

Which is irrelevant as only one user has supported inclusion. Slatersteven ( talk) 11:12, 6 November 2018 (UTC) reply
Agreed. There's no relevance to this line of discussion; regardless of whether the weapon was an AK or an AR, almost nobody thinks its use in this particular tragedy is WP:DUE to the weapon yet. Simonm223 ( talk) 14:09, 6 November 2018 (UTC) reply

RAF910, yes of course. The point of that quote is that the police reported they were being fired at with a rifle as opposed to a handgun, which establishes the AR was in fact used. As for WP:DUE, Simonm223 is incorrect - I at least believe it is DUE, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone. Waleswatcher (talk) 22:19, 6 November 2018 (UTC) reply

A Commons file used on this page has been nominated for deletion

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Pittsburgh synagogue shooting (reprise)

Half a year later, and there are multiple RSs that state a Colt AR-15 was used in the shooting [35] [36] [37]. Moreover, Pittsburgh passed a regulation that bans the use of assault weapons in response [38]. This addresses the concerns raised earlier (that it was hard to find RSs that stated the AR was used, and that its use might not be considered consequential or important), and so I'd like to add some information on it to the mass shooting section of the article. Waleswatcher (talk) 01:07, 27 April 2019 (UTC) reply

While it is certainly interesting that they passed a law for that city. The article does say that it violates state law and federal law there to do so. Also generally the consequential or impact of such a law is at a national level not a specific city. For example what Australia did. But overall I am undecided on it right now, I would like to hear some other opinions on the matter. PackMecEng ( talk) 01:49, 27 April 2019 (UTC) reply
None of the above sources say "Colt" and they are general to the AR-15 style rifle, not "Colt AR-15". The impact to the "Colt AR-15" hasn't been shown. It's not clear this has had a lasting impact on the Colt rifle or it's notoriety. Conversely, it's part of the general din related to the AR-15 style rifle news. Springee ( talk) 03:09, 27 April 2019 (UTC) reply
Tend to agree, this might have a place on the article about the type of rifle, not an specific model. Slatersteven ( talk) 08:35, 27 April 2019 (UTC) reply
The rifle was a Colt AR-15, that's why we had this discussion in the first place here after it happened. Here are the first three sources from a google search: [39] [40] [41] Waleswatcher (talk) 11:56, 28 April 2019 (UTC) reply
Not to sure the first source passes muster, but yes we have sources saying Cult ar-15, so do with have any sources that say it was not? Slatersteven ( talk) 11:58, 28 April 2019 (UTC) reply
Do we have any sources that say this crime is associated with the rifle? That is how does this crime have an impact on the rifle? It seems most reports about this crime talk about the rifle as a generic AR-15, not as a Colt product. Are there any sources about the rifle that mention this crime? Springee ( talk) 13:55, 28 April 2019 (UTC) reply
What's the reason for your question? Is there any wiki policy that requires such a source?Waleswatcher (talk) 14:56, 28 April 2019 (UTC) reply
My question goes to WEIGHT. Weight says we follow in proportion, "to its treatment in the body of reliable, published material on the subject." So it's already questionable on grounds that sources about the subject of this article don't mention this crime. Even if we ignore that it's clear that articles about the crime don't focus on and more often than not don't mention "Colt". That doesn't establish weight. The "law change" on which you are justifying inclusion was part of the firearms project page. A RfC made it clear it's only a suggestion, not a binding rule. Furthermore it seems this would be a stretched interpretation even were it a rule. Springee ( talk) 15:47, 28 April 2019 (UTC) reply

The Pittsburgh shooting has received wide RS coverage, including reliable sources that associate the Colt AR-15 with the crime. I see no reason not to add it to the Criminal Use paragraph. Sources don't have to focus on the Colt AR-15; an article about a crime that mentions the weapon would indeed fall into the body of work that has been written about the weapon.

We don't typically assess WP:WEIGHT by comparing the proportion of coverage to everything that has ever been written about the overall topic. This would exclude all sorts of details throughout the article: Do most sources about the Colt AR-15 mention minutiae such as the "duckbill" being prone to vegetation entanglement or the specifics of its bolt operation? Have these things been shown to have an effect on or significant association with this specific weapon or does that standard only apply to criminal use? If we were writing an article about Barack Obama or Donald Trump, would we ignore their pre-presidential lives since nearly all that has been written focuses on their presidencies? – dlthewave 23:20, 28 April 2019 (UTC) reply

Dl, the association between the "Colt AR-15", not just the generic AR-15 style rifle has almost no coverage. Again look at what Weight actually says. I'm not suggesting we compare all sources about the Colt AR-15 with those that mention this crime to establish weight. I'm asking if any sources about the Colt AR-15 mention this crime. What impact do you think this has had on the Colt AR-15? Springee ( talk) 23:28, 28 April 2019 (UTC) reply
I haven't assessed the impact on the weapon because I'm unaware of any policy or guideline that requires it. How do you define a source as being "about the Colt AR-15"? As I mentioned before, I believe that sources about the crime which mention the weapon fall into the body of what has been written about the Colt AR-15. – dlthewave 23:43, 28 April 2019 (UTC) reply
Springee wrote: even if we ignore that it's clear that articles about the crime don't focus on and more often than not don't mention "Colt" and the association between the "Colt AR-15", not just the generic AR-15 style rifle has almost no coverage. That's as clear as mud. Where did you get "more often than not"? Have you checked all the articles? Unless you have, please don't pretend otherwise. Then, in posts separated by about eight hours you went from "more often than not" to "almost no coverage". What evidence caused you to change your mind?
The facts are, I linked above to the top three results in a google search (I forget the exact search terms), all three of which mention that the rifle was a Colt. I just did another search, "pittsburgh shooting gun used", and of the top three news articles that came up, one [42] just refers to "AR 15", one [43] says the rifle used was a Colt, and one [44] details the history of the AR, talks about Colt, and if anything makes it sound as though Colt is the only manufacturer of AR 15 style rifles. There are plenty of RSs about the Pittsburgh shooting that mention the Colt AR 15, and that establishes weight according to wiki guidelines. Waleswatcher (talk) 13:35, 29 April 2019 (UTC) reply
I did a search for "Pittsburgh synagogue shooting" and looked at the first 5 hits. Only two mentioned "AR-15" at all. CNN did say Colt along with the brands of the other guns. It didn't focus on it. So no, I don't think you have shown a associative link between the crime and the rifle. CNN seems to be mentioning it just as a standard bit of information but isn't tying any meaning to it being a "Colt" vs some other brand. BI, as you said, was talking about the history of the AR-15 not calling out that this was special because it was a "Colt" product. I would note that a similar debate now twice found that the S&W M&P-15 article shouldn't include discussion of a similar crime. Springee ( talk) 13:45, 29 April 2019 (UTC) reply
OK - so "more often than not" and "almost no coverage" were baseless assertions, since you've disproven the second and implicitly admitted that you had no basis for the first (if not, go ahead and show us your research). Please avoid such unfounded hyperbolic statements in the future. CNN seems to be mentioning it just as a standard bit of information but isn't tying any meaning to it being a "Colt" vs some other brand. This is a novel argument, at least for me. What is the basis for assuming that a source isn't "tying any meaning" to information it gives about an event? Waleswatcher (talk) 14:43, 29 April 2019 (UTC) reply
3 of 5 didn't mention AR-15 at all. Sorry, you haven't shown the impact or linkage to this firearm to establish weight. You continue to ignore the words of WEIGHT, "published material on the subject." Springee ( talk) 15:18, 29 April 2019 (UTC) reply
Springee, by making false (""almost no coverage") and/or unsupported ("more often than not", "isn't tying any meaning to") assertions, and repeatedly declining to answer questions ("What is the basis for assuming that a source isn't "tying any meaning" to", "How do you define a source as being "about the Colt AR-15"?") about your arguments, you're giving the impression that you are engaging in tendentious editing, specifically Wikipedia:Tendentious_editing#Disputing_the_reliability_of_apparently_good_sources and Wikipedia:Tendentious_editing#Ignoring_or_refusing_to_answer_good_faith_questions_from_other_editors. Weight is already established by the many RSs that report that a Colt AR-15 was used in this attack, not to mention those that report that as a result, it and similar weapons were banned by Pittsburgh and those that connect it to other mass shootings.Waleswatcher (talk) 16:15, 29 April 2019 (UTC) reply
I'm not sure how you can be made happy in this case. You used a narrow search for the type of weapon used in the crime and based your view that weight has been established on that. I used a more general search for the crime and found a different result. We are going round and round at this point. Accusing me of bad faith isn't going to help and I would ask you to consider if the accusations are even valid. I have never claimed your RS's are mistaken or aren't reliable, rather I've questioned that they established WEIGHT for inclusion in this article. I've answered your questions but you don't like the answers. At the same time you have refused to address my concerns such as why no articles about the Colt AR-15 discuss this crime (see the language in WEIGHT). Please also consider the similar case discussed here Talk:Smith_&_Wesson_M&P15#Request_for_comment:_add_three_instances_of_criminal_use. You feel Weight has been established but that isn't established as the consensus view. Your view is based on an assumption that Weight for inclusion here is established by articles about the crime mentioning the rifle. However, such attempts to establishments of weight have been questioned and failed to gain consensus in the past. I don't think either of us will change the opinion of the other so perhaps our best plan is to sit back and let others weigh in. Springee ( talk) 17:21, 29 April 2019 (UTC) reply

ROF

Stop reverting and discus. Slatersteven ( talk) 15:12, 28 February 2020 (UTC) reply

Note until someone one makes a case either way I will revert to the original. Slatersteven ( talk) 11:06, 29 February 2020 (UTC) reply

  • I'm not sure where the original came from. where is the source? Aside from that, other reliable sources don't support this 800 number. Vox, hardly a pro-gun website, says that the fully auto M16 has a cyclic rate of 840. Also "Bushmaster has estimated that the XM-15, its variant on the AR-15, can fire 45 rounds per minute; Wired’s Greenberg puts the number closer to 80 to 100. A shooter using a 10- or 30-round magazine might shoot fewer due to the time spent reloading.". They further point out "According to analysis by the New York Times, in the Orlando Pulse shooting, the gunman used a semiautomatic Sig Sauer MCX rifle and fired 24 shots in nine seconds, for a rate of fire of 160 rounds per minute." [45] Wired magazine, while describing devices like a hellfire trigger says "That can allow a shooter to easily fire hundreds of rounds a minute, compared to the 80 or 100 shots or so the average shooter could manage with normal trigger squeezes." [46] I'm sure we can find more, but this should be enough to at least remove the unsourced number and discus a change. Niteshift36 ( talk) 19:18, 2 March 2020 (UTC) reply


Coment

Wile I believe proactive discloser of others personal opinions to be an important part of WP:NPOV you should never ask me to recuse myselves (how do you expect me to fead my narcissism) from a discussion on the basis of my point of views.

To do so contravenes WP:NPA.(because i say soo)

It does not matter if I go to a article for the first time and speak to people like this when i want to remove this content(oppiset of my opionoin) that states AR 15 are not the weapon of choices for mass murders

"A study [1] by Dr. Fox a professor of criminology, and statistics assembled by Mother Jones on mass shootings from 1982-2018 show the weapon of choice overwhelmingly is semi-auto handguns, and a very common misconception is that AR-15's or similar rifles were preferred. AR-15's specifically in the last 35 years have only been used in 14 mass shootings. [2] Rifles have been used 25 percent of time in mass shootings, semi-auto handguns almost half of the time.[64][65][66]" [3] [4] [5]

"I removed it because it was literal nonsense. I suggest you self-revert." Simonm223 (talk) 20:35, 23 August 2018 (UTC) [47]

"I reverted a literally illiterate and confounding paragraph(or just three senteces whatever). It was a mess. But whatever." Simonm223 (talk) 20:33, 23 August 2018 (UTC) [48]

"Ok, going forward I will refer to the edit with the word I meant, even though it's a little bit less kind. It was illiterate." Simonm223 (talk) 10:55, 24 August 2018 (UTC) [49]

"Its "un-intelligibility"(made up word so what I am still smarterr than use) lies in its complete failure with regard to grammar. Thus illiterate seems apropos. I decided to go with illegible, IE: impossible to read, because it seemed slightly kinder. But notwithstanding my word choice the edit is still galling and WP:CIR still applies." Simonm223 (talk) 11:04, 24 August 2018 (UTC) [50]

Aand there is no problem with after more than a month of claiming i have no bias, proclaim my true point of view. "This general type of firearm is a people-killer designed to kill humans and I sometimes question why some people devote so much time to defending its dubious honour." Simonm223 (talk) 17:50, 27 September 2018 (UTC) [51]

To claim that a persons POV make them incapable of serving the neatral goal of Wikipedia is to make the false claim that some peoples are inherently neatral and lady justice is blind. (my vast expeence says this is impoable)

if i your superior can not be neatral then none of you infearars can be.

Such a people does not exist.(I says so therefor it is fact)

EG: centrism is unnecessary and i got my bed buddy to bail me out anyway. [52] Simonm223 (talk) 12:27 , 7 February 2020 (UTC)

This talk page is not about you, and I have no idea how the above is about improving the article. Slatersteven ( talk) 07:33, 4 April 2020 (UTC) reply

References

  1. ^ Todd, Michael (December 23, 2013). "The Simple Facts About Mass Shootings Aren't Simple at All". Pacific Standard. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  2. ^ Cummings, William (February 15, 2018). "Why the AR-15 keeps appearing at America's deadliest mass shootings". USA Today. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  3. ^ "US Mass Shootings, 1982-2018: Data From Mother Jones' Investigation". Mother Jones. June 28, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
  4. ^ Schildkraut, Jaclyn (February 22, 2016). "Mass Shootings: Media, Myths, and Realities: Media, Myths, and Realities". ABC-CLIO. ISBN  978-1-4408-3652-7. Retrieved August 20, 2018. {{ cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= ( help)
  5. ^ "Criminology Professor to CNN's Tapper: Mass Shootings Aren't an 'Epidemic'". Media Research Center. Retrieved August 20, 2018.

Use in mass shootings

I've gone ahead and made a revision of my own to the section, on the basis that it shows an obvious bias towards this particular item in general as opposed to the countless and various other firearms, of identifiable and distinctive make/model, that have also been used in Mass Shootings. These pages are supposed to highlight the subject matter itself and not sidetrack or show bias towards one or the other. If we are going to include excerpts towards mass shootings for one firearm, we must do them for all or for none.

Hopefully my reasoning is sound! If not I am open to discussion. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2603:9001:2D0A:B700:E1A5:1364:17AC:11D1 ( talk) 19:21, 14 October 2020 (UTC) reply

Please don't blank that section without consensus, because it was added after an RfC [53]. Geogene ( talk) 21:57, 12 February 2021 (UTC) reply
I would also add that the IP's "all or none" argument is counter to community consensus from a major RfC [54] which states that "(inclusion of mass shootings) should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with care taken to avoid trivia and a strong reliance on reliable sources." Including this content is not inherently biased or off-topic. – dlthewave 22:08, 12 February 2021 (UTC) reply

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