I help run and admin-mod a gun website.
I normally stay out of the gun post on non gun forums.
Low end just want a AR ? Order a,PSA whole gun on sale shipped to your FFL. Fill out the new crazy 4473 that has more than male and female as far as sex on it and take gun home. The 80 percent will cost more and be worth less.
That's here in a free state. YMMV
I have owned AR-15 rifles my whole adult life have everything from orginal a Colt SP1 to high dollar to many in between.
Note) Reason they are used by nut jobs is are cheap and plentiful since they are the number one sporting rifle in the USA.
Same reason they have more of certain type cars on the road.
Not more evil just more of them