I agree that AR-15's are tactical rifles which make their popularity so absurd. What is more absurd is the way so many guys "dress them up" like they are going to Iraq in the morning. My AR's are plinkers as they are for most civilians here in the US. The new uppers with match grade barrels do make great varmint guns that are probably more accurate than most low end bolt guns that hunters take in the woods. I am drawn to AR's like flies to honey, but in truth, I prefer to shoot my bolt guns. As comical as you find the high powered scopes on AR's, I find the guns tricked out for combat just as comical. If you want to see some really "tricked" combat guns, you need to visit
http://www.ar-15.com .
http://www.ar15.com/
That's the place where everyone and their mother shows off their multi-thousand dollar rigs. Although there are quite a few soldiers and marines in the forum as well, and they are professional about their rifles.
I sincerely doubt any of us are taking these things to Iraq any time soon (or ever, for that matter), but considering the readon behind our Second Amendment, not to mention situations like Katrina, etc., it makes perfect sense to me to have at least one quality tactical rifle available in case the worst case scenario happens.