Have you seen this video?
Scott Pappalardo did not destroy his AR-15.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNGz-kO4VYE
Don't look for a slight of hand or "magic" trick. He used his chop-saw to cut the barrel, gas tube, and handguard. Sum total? maybe 150USD in parts. He did not cut the upper or lower receiver.
The AFT definition of an AR-15 is the serialized lower receiver.
ABC FAKE NEWS, maybe not, but I think Scott knew exactly what he was doing.
He wants his 15 minutes.