I don't see anything wrong with using an AR type weapon for hunting. 223 for small deer and smaller. 308 AR for deer and larger game. The AR type weapon can serve a dual purpose, hunting and emergency firepower. Also, they are inherently accurage. From what I have read, the 308 types are within 1/2-1" accuracy right out of the box. That is as good as a bolt gun. Also, from Vietnam, through Desert Storm, to the last two wars, lots of guys learned how to shoot these and shoot them well. They are modular and can take all sorts of accessorys, different types of sights, scopes, night vision (illegal for hunting), flashlights, lasers, whatever. On the AR-15 type, you can get a 22LR bolt replacement to allow you to small game hunt. In two to three gun stores I have visited lately, half their sales are with AR type weapons, the rest is split between handguns, traditional rifles and shotguns. Marks gun store in Birmingham sells 500 guns a week, in the last 4 years. That is about 200,000 guns just from that store alone.
People are really afraid, people who are conservative see the government going over the financial clift and failing. If they can't pay the entitlement transfer payments, people are afraid of riots, and the takers coming to try to get stuff from the producers, thrifty, preppers, and savers. They are truely afraid.