22 April—I just came across an email that’s been hiding in my inbox for almost two months. It was the single unread one that just wouldn’t go away; I found it by chance. It’s from Sportsman’s Warehouse, a Utah-based retailer catering mostly to hunters, judging by the emails I receive, as well as campers and other outdoorsy sorts. It used to have excellent prices on all sorts of non-hunting and non-outdoorsy stuff. (But, as is the case with virtually all retailers, once its credentials as a source of good value have been established, bye-bye bargains.)

This email demands comment because Sportsman’s Warehouse wants to sell me, for $3,299.99, an “FN SCAR 15P 5.56mm NATO 7.5 in Black Anodized Modern Sporting Pistol—30+1 Rounds.”

Wow! Is that impressive or is that impressive!?

The FN SCAR is essentially what’s called a subcompact semi-automatic version of the automatic Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle developed for U.S. Special Forces and made by FN Herstal in Belgium for serious killing. (Anyone’s guess why they decided to call by the acronym SCAR rather than the more accurate SOFCAR.)

Of course it’s illegal for civilians in Connecticut even to think about owning the 30-round magazine, so FN SCAR buyers in the Unconstitution State would have to make do with three 10-round magazines. Or make other arrangements.

But while the FN SCAR 15P looks every bit as intimidating and lethal as an assault weapon is supposed to look and is evidently as adaptable and versatile as an AR-15, the only thing I have a problem with is selling it as a sporting pistol. No problem with any firearms being sold, owned, and carried openly or concealed, to be sure. But the FN SCAR is a weapon, not a sporting good, and clearly overkill for plinking. (Serendipitous pun.)

Well, truth be told, I also have a problem with the price. You could cremate four cadavers for $3,300—with no frills, of course.

But I can just imagine some kill-crazy sportsman (i.e., hunter) or nut case firing 30 rounds into one or more innocent deer or cats or turkeys. Or people . . .