Any time Govt meddles in private citizens' business it's always turns out bad. This Country was founded on the basic principal of leave us the eff alone.
Also mid-length gas systems are readily available-smoooooooth shooters. They are very lightweight as well-I have a safe full of KACs and LMTs but none are as light and mobile as my BCM 14.5 middys.
$1k-I'd be looking at BCM-I think it will be more like 1.2-1.4k but pick the upper of your choice-mlock-kmod-hammer forge or button etc and get a lower-or go the complete rifle route with less of a selection of upper characteristics.
My guess is he's an election year troll/plant. He's new here, posts disparagingly about President a lot, and has the true tell tale sign of "2A supporter" on full display.