By LISA MARIE PANE
Associated Press

Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke's recent vow to take away people's AR-15 and AK-47 rifles raises significant questions. Among them is how it might be possible to round up the millions of such guns that exist in the United States.

The number of AR-15 and AK-47s in the U.S. is estimated at a staggering 16 million. That leads to logistical challenges. Many gun owners are also unwilling to turn over the weapons. And if the government offered to buy them all back at face value, the price tag could easily run into the billions.

The prospect also stokes fears among some gun owners that Democrats are less interested in finding a middle ground, and just want to confiscate guns. Even some gun-control advocates aren't sure that confiscating firearms will work.

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