Back in 2012, President Barack Obama pontificated on the appropriateness of Americans owning AK-47 rifles. The one-time world’s greatest gun salesman told an audience, “I also believe that a lot of gun owners would agree that AK-47s belong in the hands of soldiers, not in the hands of criminals, that they belong on the battlefields of war and not on the streets of our cities.” In response, Student of the Gun’s Paul Markel issued the following press release declaring October 18 National Hug Your AK Day. It’s still as relevant today as it was then and your AK is every bit as deserving of a little appreciation now as ever.]

“I could not sit idly by and listen to such irrational prejudice and slander,” said Paul Markel, producer and host of Student of the Gun. “We are trying to combat the hate-speech and prejudice put out during the Presidential Debates this week. And so, we hereby declared Thursday, October 18, 2012 to be National Hug your AK Day.”  . . .

“We encourage free Americans and citizens nationwide to take a moment and hug their AK. If you don’t have an AK to hug, hug your Stoner or Garand. Find someone who does have an AK and offer to join them in a group hug.”

Markel continued, “While you are hugging your favorite Kalashnikov, take a moment to consider all the AK’s that have been slandered, libeled, and are now the targets of hate-speech by self-serving politicians and their sycophant accomplices in the media. Assure your AK that you will do your very best to guard and protect it from such misguided hate and prejudice.”