Kalashnikov Wishes He Had Made Lawnmower

Mikhail Kalashnikov said he was proud of inventing the assault rifle that bears his name but wishes he had designed something to help people instead.

“I would have preferred to invent something which helps people and makes life easier for farmers. A lawnmower, for example,” he told Bild newspaper in Germany.

The Kalashnikov, which can fire hundreds of rounds per minute and is light and easy to maintain, has become the weapon of choice for guerrillas and insurgents across the globe.

“I am proud of it. And sad, too, that the weapon is used by terrorists,” said Kalashnikov, 82, who was in Germany to open an exhibition about the weapon.