I was shocked. What's suburban dad doing getting out of his SUV in a mall parking lot with an AR-15???
Full disclosure: I'm not on the right wing or even remotely close.
These companies sell to police, private security companies, military, and yes civilians. That segment of the ad looks like its targeted to more of a private security/police application.
Maybe it’s because I’m a Texan but suburban dads are probably the largest gun owning demographic. Ive so many engineers show up to the range with a $4k ar-15 and shoot a couple hundred bucks in ammo. At least before covid shot prices through the roof.
You’re in for a surprise if you ever look in a patrol car. Every agency I know of, even in a very rural state, has an AR as standard equipment - either in the cabin, or in rare cases, in a trunk lid mount.
https://www.criminaljusticedegreehub.com/popular-guns-for-la...
The end of that list shows the M4 carbine - which is an AR-15.
In popular vernacular, an “M4” is a shortened version of the “M16”, which is the military version of the “AR-15”. Armalite originated the design and Colt licensed it.
There’s a bit more to it than that, but that’s the high points.
plain clothes, plain car. also the ad is targeted at me, and i'm not part of any of the other target markets you mentioned.
(From the ad)