I browsed over that article, but I know the place intimately, I worked there 8 years. Sandia prides itself in hiring the “best and brightest”. No wait that can’t be me, but it was. The place exist to keep us ahead in weapons technology of those who would seek to threaten us and our way of life. Through a long series of events it turned out that my nation came to call on a once shy and awkward boy from Harlan to provide “Exceptional service in the national interest”, Sandia’s motto.
I answered that call.
So you got an AR15. How about a cruise missile that can deliver a massive megaton nuclear bomb up your butt with pinpoint accuracy. Those are the kinds of weapons you play with at the Labs.
https://www.sandia.gov/about/index.html