Well I agree and disgree. There are a lot of guns out there thaat are carry far more energy yet dont look as 'scary' and dont seem to be on the target list for guns people want outlawed.
backfire.tv
How higher speed, greater mass, and more surface area increase the damage that rounds can do to human bodies.
www.thetrace.org
So this is not to say that the .223 isnt deadly but the idea promoted by some that this is purely a wanton killing machine compared to other weapons is belied by the actual facts.
Sure Its semi auto that is light and can fire many rounds. But this isnt unique to the AR.
Again, all guns are designed to kill. Period.
If you want no gun deaths then all guns need to be confiscated. All. And since this is an impossibility, we are left with the situation we are in where I need a gun to protect myself from others with guns. Simple.