Osama bin Laden fires an AK-47 in this still frame from the infamous video of him released after September 11, 2001.
Osama bin Laden fires an AK-47 in this still frame from the infamous video of him released after September 11, 2001.
Getty Images
Russian weapons designer Mikhail Kalashnikov presents his legendary assault rifle, the AK-47, to the media while opening an exhibition of his work at a weapons museum in Suhl, Germany, in 2002. Kalashnikov died on December 23 at the age of 94. Click through to see where else in the world the AK-47 has appeared.
Russian weapons designer Mikhail Kalashnikov presents his legendary assault rifle, the AK-47, to the media while opening an exhibition of his work at a weapons museum in Suhl, Germany, in 2002. Kalashnikov died on December 23 at the age of 94. Click through to see where else in the world the AK-47 has appeared.
Jens Meyer/AP
A soldier in the anti-government army of the Sudan holds his AK-47 rifle at the ready in 1971.
A soldier in the anti-government army of the Sudan holds his AK-47 rifle at the ready in 1971.
John Downing/Express/Getty Images
A diver retrieves an AK-47 from the bottom of the Suez Canal in Egypt in 1975.
A diver retrieves an AK-47 from the bottom of the Suez Canal in Egypt in 1975.
Jonathan S. Blair/National Geographic/Getty Images
Fighters with the Eritrean People's Liberation Front sit with their rifles in 1978.
Fighters with the Eritrean People's Liberation Front sit with their rifles in 1978.
Alex Bowie/Getty Images
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps members assemble during a commemoration of their foundation in Tehran in 1981.
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps members assemble during a commemoration of their foundation in Tehran in 1981.
Kaveh Kazemi/Getty Images
A Shiite Muslim militiaman fires his AK-47 during a battle in West Beirut, Lebanon, in 1987.
A Shiite Muslim militiaman fires his AK-47 during a battle in West Beirut, Lebanon, in 1987.
AP
A Russian sailor stands guard with an AK-47 in Moscow during a visit from then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1988.
A Russian sailor stands guard with an AK-47 in Moscow during a visit from then-U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1988.
Rex USA/Courtesy Everett Collection
An anti-Communist civilian fighter runs with an AK-47 during a street-fight in Bucharest, Romania, in 1989.
An anti-Communist civilian fighter runs with an AK-47 during a street-fight in Bucharest, Romania, in 1989.
CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images
Then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein brandishes an AK-47 during his visit to villages in northern Iraq in 1998, in this Iraqi News Agency released photograph.
Then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein brandishes an AK-47 during his visit to villages in northern Iraq in 1998, in this Iraqi News Agency released photograph.
stringer/AFP/Getty Images
A soldier with the Liberation Army of Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac guards his position near the village of Shoshaj, Yugoslavia, in 2001.
A soldier with the Liberation Army of Presevo, Medvedja and Bujanovac guards his position near the village of Shoshaj, Yugoslavia, in 2001.
David Greedy/Newsmakers
A soldier stands guard at the entrance to a sanctuary for Kim Jong Il in Myohyangsan, North Korea, in 2005.
A soldier stands guard at the entrance to a sanctuary for Kim Jong Il in Myohyangsan, North Korea, in 2005.
Patrick AVENTURIER/gamma-raphno via getty images
A man guards the the village of Jebel Shugruf in the Haraz Mountains of Yemen in 2006.
A man guards the the village of Jebel Shugruf in the Haraz Mountains of Yemen in 2006.
Matjaz Krivic/Getty Images
A Pakistani tribesman carries an AK-47 assault rifle after an air strike in Damadola, Pakistan, in 2006.
A Pakistani tribesman carries an AK-47 assault rifle after an air strike in Damadola, Pakistan, in 2006.
TARIQ MAHMOOD/AFP/Getty Images
An Iraqi policewoman receives guidance firing an AK-47 during target practice in Karbala, Iraq, in 2008.
An Iraqi policewoman receives guidance firing an AK-47 during target practice in Karbala, Iraq, in 2008.
MOHAMMED SAWAF/AFP/Getty Images
Members of the Karo Tribe pose with AK-47s in Korcho, Ethiopia, in 2008.
Members of the Karo Tribe pose with AK-47s in Korcho, Ethiopia, in 2008.
Eric LAFFORGUE/RAPHO/Getty Images
Kenyan policemen confront demonstrators during post-election clashes in the Mathare slums of Nairobi in 2008.
Kenyan policemen confront demonstrators during post-election clashes in the Mathare slums of Nairobi in 2008.
Uriel Sinai/Getty Images
Newly recruited Rangers practice with their AK-47s during a training session at a military camp in the southern Narathiwat province of Thailand in 2009.
Newly recruited Rangers practice with their AK-47s during a training session at a military camp in the southern Narathiwat province of Thailand in 2009.
MADAREE TOHLALA/AFP/Getty Images
A man shoots an AK-47 at a shooting range in West Point, Kentucky, in 2009.
A man shoots an AK-47 at a shooting range in West Point, Kentucky, in 2009.
Matt McClain/Getty Images
Anti-Libyan-government militants gather on the front line in Brega, Libya, in 2011.
Anti-Libyan-government militants gather on the front line in Brega, Libya, in 2011.
XINHUA/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
A Syrian opposition fighter poses with his AK-47 in Aleppo, Syria, in 2012.
A Syrian opposition fighter poses with his AK-47 in Aleppo, Syria, in 2012.
ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/GettyImages
A soldier with the Malian army patrols a street in Gao, Mali, with an AK-47 on February 25, 2013.
A soldier with the Malian army patrols a street in Gao, Mali, with an AK-47 on February 25, 2013.
JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images
Osama bin Laden fires an AK-47 in this still frame from the infamous video of him released after September 11, 2001.
Osama bin Laden fires an AK-47 in this still frame from the infamous video of him released after September 11, 2001.
Getty Images
Osama bin Laden fires an AK-47 in this still frame from the infamous video of him released after September 11, 2001.
Osama bin Laden fires an AK-47 in this still frame from the infamous video of him released after September 11, 2001.
Getty Images