Editorial The Terrifying Truth About Shooting an AR15 David Reeder June 21, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More We are saddened to report that New York “journalist” Gersh Kuntzman recently suffered emotional and physical trauma after shooting an AR15 for the first time. After that murders in Orlando, the New York Daily News reporter went to Philadelphia to actually shoot a “military style weapon” so he could better understand people on the pro-gun side (a laudable effort). Unfortunately, he wasn't expecting the battering such a rifle will give the mind, body and spirit. It's something most of us have learned to expect, but no one warned him. “It felt to me like a bazooka,” Kuntzman said, “and sounded like a cannon.” Indeed. I shot an AR10 once — once — and the recoil nearly decapitated me. I learned my lesson then. The Terrifying Truth About Shooting an AR15 The ironically named writer described the event thusly: “Squeeze lightly on the trigger and the resulting explosion of firepower is humbling and deafening (even with ear protection). The recoil bruised my shoulder, which can happen if you don't know what you're doing. The brass shell casings disoriented me as they flew past my face. The smell of sulfur and destruction made me sick. The explosions — loud like a bomb — gave me a temporary form of PTSD. For at least an hour after firing the gun just a few times, I was anxious and irritable.” Poor bastard. These poor 10 year olds, Faith and Vanessa, have no idea what they're in for. Faith Collier and Vanessa Aguilar, members of the Austin Sure Shots as they're forced into child labor — watch the video below. You can read Kuntzman's entire horrifying story right here online. He wrote a follow-up article here, and in fairness he did get one thing correct — the problem is keeping AR15s, like any weapon, out of the wrong hands. That sisyphean task, however, isn't helped by disingenuous hyperbole of the type Kuntzman writes. Edit: We've since learned Kuntzman went on to an outdoor range to try a .300 Ultra Mag. Kuntzman is not the only person to suffer such misery after shooting. Just watch this video. TRIGGER WARNING: It's candid, uncut, and brutal. This might be the most difficult 45 seconds you watch in your entire life. Explore RECOILweb:RECOILtv All Access: Kalashnikov KR9 & KS12Magpul iPhone 5 Field CaseTraining Above and Beyond: Force CenterVictory First Partners With Brownells, Offers Special Line Of Barrels NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.