I was never real interested in AR types until I got to shoot with a buddy who has a Rock River and likes to varmint hunt. It is impressive - accuracy is in the quarter inch range. Waaaayyyyy better than their guarantee. I was at their "factory" several years ago when they were working in a garage (on the banks of the Rock River) looking at their 1911's. I am still undecided about an AR, but mostly because there are so many other guns I want first. The Rock River will be first on my list for an AR type, if I ever decide though.
One issue I wonder about is how these issues might all play out here in Illinois. We have a very anti-gun state leadership. The Democrats have all the power - Chicago/Daley and the rest of the state government (Blagoevich) who are very anti-gun, and the influence of Chicago and suburbs on the rest of the state.
40 miles southwest of me is the Quad Cities, and in that area we have Les Baer, Springfield Armory, Rock River Arms, and Armalite. That is a lot of manufacturing capacity. I recall that at least one of them has declared that they will leave this state if any "assault weapon" ban is passed here.