Definition of "assault weapon"?

[AUSyTyIN]

So I've seen assault weapon defined as one that can shoot full auto (including bursts). But I've also seen it defined as a gun wit a pistol grip, threaded barrel, etc. I'm assuming the legal definition varies greatly from the actual definition, but how do you define assault weapon?

I personally think that it is the full auto option, but what do I know.

[sniper7]

there is no such thing as an "assault weapon"

any definition you have looked up is a media driven bogus hype.

explain the difference to me:

a semi automatic .22 LR (ruger 10/22) that holds 50 rounds in a magazine

and a Ar-15 that holds 30 rounds in a magazine...even 100 (mag capacity does not matter)

only thing is the amount of power behind the cartridge.

or what about a semi auto remington 11-87 that holds 6 rounds of 12 gauge and a mossberg 500 with a pistol grip that holds 7 rounds.

the 10/22 and 11-87 would be defined as a sporting gun or plinker and the other as a hunting firearm.

the ar-15 and mossberg 500 would be defined as a assault weapons.

absolute bullshit. there is no such thing as an assault weapon. in the end, they all do the exact same thing...put lead down range.

my muzzleloader can shoot lead just as easily as a shotgun or ar15. the amount of time it takes to reload is the only big difference.

[Circuits]

Within firearms and militaria circles, an "assault rifle" is defined as an intermediate caliber, medium-power, select-fire rifle. The first such was the 7.92x33 German StG-44 aka MP-44, and the most famous such is the original Avtomat Kalashnikov, 1947 (AK-47).

The M14 kind of falls between the cracks, since most of its issue variants were not select-fire, and .308, while a touch smaller than .30-06 is still considered a "full power" rifle round.

Certain newer submachineguns like the FN P90 are also considered assault rifles, since they approach intermediate rifle power in nominally submachinegun-like packages.

The made-up term "Semi Automatic Assault Weapon" is a media-driven legal definition from the 1994 Omnibus Violent Crime Control Act enacted by congress during the Clinton administration. That legislation, 18 USC 922(v), defined a semi-automatic assault weapon by name for a number of firearms like the Uzi and Colt AR-15 and such, and then by "features" for other types of firearms. Legally, those definitions were:

Semi automatic rifles capable of accepting a detachable magazine with a capacity of more than 10 rounds, excepting tubular .22 rimfire magazines, and having more than one of:
a) pistol grip
b) folding or telescoping stock
c) bayonet lug
d) flash suppressor or threaded muzzle for a flash suppressor
e) ... don't remember

There was more, and distinct definitions for semi auto pistols and shotguns, each with different lists of features, but that law "sunsetted" (went out of effect) on 9/13/2004, and I can't find it online any more.

Basically the made-up definition was bogus, and meant to keep people from having "scary-looking" guns while not pissing off hunters enough to cost the democrats control of congress (which it did, anyway).

[sniper_tim]

CA and maybe some other states/municipalities still have a legal definition of an assault rifle or weapon. The dictionary has a similiar definition as provided by circuits, but ultimately I agree with sniper7, the definintions were probably driven by after the fact media frenzy. I doubt that someone woke up one day and decided to create an "assault weapon". The key is that it includes "military" or "designed for military" in the definition. That is a big clue that anti-gun douche bags wrote the definition to imply and bolster their argument that it is not for civilian usage.

cheers

[ryanek9freak]

CA and maybe some other states/municipalities still have a legal definition of an assault rifle or weapon. The dictionary has a similiar definition as provided by circuits, but ultimately I agree with sniper7, the definintions were probably driven by after the fact media frenzy. I doubt that someone woke up one day and decided to create an "assault weapon". The key is that it includes "military" or "designed for military" in the definition. That is a big clue that anti-gun douche bags wrote the definition to imply and bolster their argument that it is not for civilian usage.

cheers

I agree with sniper7. There is no such thing as an "Assault Rifle"

I can sharpen a toothbrush, stab you with it, and that could be described as an assault weapon. Because I assaulted you.

[Circuits]

I agree with sniper7. There is no such thing as an "Assault Rifle"

No, there emphatically is such a thing as an "Assault Rifle". It is an "assault weapon" which exists only as a bogus legal definition.

[Vandy58]

This is exactly what I try to explain to these obamabots that surround me on a daily basis. There is no such thing! I can just as easily kill somebody with my Walther P22. My god these people are so brain washed!

there is no such thing as an "assault weapon"

any definition you have looked up is a media driven bogus hype.

explain the difference to me:

a semi automatic .22 LR (ruger 10/22) that holds 50 rounds in a magazine

and a Ar-15 that holds 30 rounds in a magazine...even 100 (mag capacity does not matter)

only thing is the amount of power behind the cartridge.

or what about a semi auto remington 11-87 that holds 6 rounds of 12 gauge and a mossberg 500 with a pistol grip that holds 7 rounds.

the 10/22 and 11-87 would be defined as a sporting gun or plinker and the other as a hunting firearm.

the ar-15 and mossberg 500 would be defined as a assault weapons.

absolute bullshit. there is no such thing as an assault weapon. in the end, they all do the exact same thing...put lead down range.

my muzzleloader can shoot lead just as easily as a shotgun or ar15. the amount of time it takes to reload is the only big difference.

[sniper7]

I am going to start calling my truck an assault truck...and then semis are going to be assault semis. fear the dreaded assault civic.

there are more vehicle related accidents in a week than gun accidents in a year.

and even calling vehicles "assault vehicles" would be bogus because it is the people behind the wheel driving them that cause the accidents.

[Carbon_Unit]

"Assault Weapon" is a term for the liberals to get off on.

ryanek9freak, we should ban sharpened toothbrushes. Our kids would be safer.


Carbon_Unit

[Carbon_Unit]

This is exactly what I try to explain to these obamabots that surround me on a daily basis. There is no such thing! I can just as easily kill somebody with my Walther P22. My god these people are so brain washed!

"obamabots"...nice.
Maybe we can reprogram them. I think you're better off teaching a wall to talk.


Carbon_Unit