Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is a proud gun owner. The media may be able to forgive him for it, but they still can't fathom why he needs an AR-15, which they've termed an "assault rifle."

Here's a photo of him bringing the firearm to the range in 2013.

Enjoyed shooting my AR-15 today at Sharp Shooters in Greenville. pic.twitter.com/Vltf7F5fj7 — Lindsey Graham (@GrahamBlog) August 16, 2013

Yet, as Graham explained to the press on Friday, his AR is for more than just leisure.

On Air Force One, @LindseyGrahamSC tells reporters he owns an AR-15 in case "there's a hurricane, a natural disaster, no power, no cops, no anything" and looters will know not "to come to the AR-15 home." — Steve Herman (@W7VOA) August 9, 2019

“Here’s a scenario that I think is real: There’s a hurricane, a natural disaster, no power, no cops, no anything,” the Republican lawmaker told reporters aboard Air Force One. A reporter asked if he meant looters. “Yeah, people, they’re not going to come to the AR-15 home,” Graham responded. “Well, I think if you show up on the porch with an AR-15, they’ll probably go down the street.” (New York Post)

Gun owners are cheering him on for offering this practical explanation. But many others are not so eager about the senator's plans to introduce "red flag" legislation with Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal. Red flag laws allow family members, law enforcement and, in some cases, housemates to petition a court to confiscate firearms from individuals they perceive to be dangers to themselves or the community. Graham answered some skeptics' concerns by noting in a recent interview that the measure will include a "robust due process," where the defendant is promised a full court hearing.

Graham is one of several lawmakers to revisit gun legislation after last weekend's mass shootings in El Paso, TX and Dayton, OH, where 31 lives were taken.