Maker of AK-47 Rifle (Mikhail Kalashnikov) Dies at 94

Well, this is not hip hop news, but rap music has always had a lot of talk about AK-47 in it. I remember Sheek Louch rapping- 'I swing the AK accross my shoulder like a Louis bag' in one of his songs from the past, and definitely countless rap lyrics of gangsta sub-genre have a lot of gun-talk in them. So, I think it is only right I report this news. Mikhail Kalashnikov, the Russian that designed the legendary AK-47 died yesterday, December 23, at 94 years old. He died in the hospital yesterday after a prolonged illness.

Kalashnikov rose in the Russian military from a tank mechanic, to a tank commander, to a well celebrated Russian General. During World War 2, while he recovering at a military hospital from battle field injuries (between 1941-1942), he heard a lot of Soviet soldiers complaining about the countries official riffle and how it affected their shoulders. Being a mechanic/engineer, he decided to work on the problem. After a series of unaccepted gun prototypes, he designed the AK-47 in 1947...AK 47 standing for Avtomat Kalashnikova model 1947. It became the standard issue assault riffle of the Soviet Army. The weapon has gone on to sell more than 100 million pieces worldwide, and mostly used by African and Arab militants. Being very popular and used worldwide because of its simplicity and durability in rugged terrains. Also because of its relatively cheap production cost.

When asked how he feels about something associated with death and terrorism, he said- 'I invented it for the protection of the motherland. I have no regrets and have no responsibility for how politicians have used it...I am proud of my invention, but I am sad that it is used by terrorists.'