thumb|Bushmaster Dissipator Model XM-15 rifle with aftermarket handguards

The Bushmaster XM-15 series (or XM15 - 20" heavy-barrel target rifle with A2-style stock and carry handle upper, also available with 24" and 26" barrels.

  • E2S Shorty - 16-inch version with a "shorty" handguard.

A Bushmaster XM15-E2S carbine was displayed in a February 2011 video message by Caucasus Emirate leader Dokka Umarov. Bushmaster rifles were captured by pro-Russian forces during the Russo-Georgian War.

A Bushmaster XM-15 was used in the December 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Just before the second anniversary of the massacre, nine families of the 26 victims of the shooting filed a class action lawsuit in Connecticut against Bushmaster, Remington Arms and others, seeking "unspecified" damages for the defendants' purported negligent entrustment and illegal marketing of the XM-15 rifle. Plaintiffs argued that both theories of liability fell within exceptions to the 2005 Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which affords broad civil immunity to gun manufacturers. The case was dismissed in superior court and was appealed to the Connecticut Supreme Court.

In March 2019, the Connecticut Supreme Court reinstated the wrongful death lawsuit, holding that the plaintiffs successfully pleaded a cause of action for illegal marketing. Remington appealed to the United States Supreme Court, which denied review on November 12, 2019. On February 15, 2022, Remington Arms insurers settled with families of Sandy Hook victims and agreed to pay a total of $73 million to families.

An XM-15 rifle was also used in the 1997 North Hollywood shootout (illegally converted to full auto), the 2018 Nashville Waffle House shooting, and the 2022 Buffalo shooting.

An XM15-E2 was captured from Islamic State fighters in Sinjar Mountains by Peshmerga during the Iraqi Civil War.

Legality

As of October 2, 2000, California has banned the Bushmaster XM15 by name in the Kasler v. Lockyer Assault Weapon List, among other AR-style rifles by Armalite, DPMS, Colt, and Eagle Arms, to name a few.

As a result of the Sandy Hook school shooting:

  • New York State banned the Bushmaster XM-15 series and assault weapons in the January 2013 NY SAFE Act.
  • The XM-15 series is among over 100 named firearms added to the Connecticut state assault weapon ban list in an April 2013 amendment, passed in the wake of the Sandy Hook school shooting.

Users

thumb|A map with users of the Bushmaster XM-15 in blue<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

  • : Federal Police of Brazil
  • : New Zealand Police
  • : Used by JW GROM.
  • 22px Anaheim Police Department
  • 22px Los Angeles Police Department
  • Marina Police Department
  • Maryland-National Capital Park Police
  • 22px Somerville Police Department (Massachusetts): Their use-of-force policy authorizes the Bushmaster XM-15-E2S as a patrol rifle.

Non-state actors

  • Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant