So what is an assault rifle?

[Ken The Kanuck]

We have these idiots by the bus loads up here.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44159590

KTK

[S.A. Boggs]

The same definition that a striped "kitty cat" to a city dweller in the country, we on the other hand refer to them as a skunk...same difference.
Sam

[Dan Shapiro]

"City lawyers and law enforcement officials have acknowledged the difficulty of enforcing the new law."

TRANSLATION: We DID something! We passed a LAW! We FEEL GOOD about ourselves, although we really accomplished NOTHING!

[togor]

Obviously laws like this at the local level have little practical effect. But given the news today out of Texas, those locals probably think they're on the right side of history in this issue.

[Allen]

An assault rifle is a liberal/democrat/hollywood term for an evil fantasy weapon that can kill thousands of people w/o aiming or reloading. They can shoot all day long with one magazine full of ammo and still be ready for more. They can be purchased by anyone, anytime with no background check. It is implied that they can just be bought out of vending machines and can be found everywhere for sale. Even the ice cream man offers them to the kiddies.

There is no such thing as an assault rifle. No rifle has ever assaulted anyone. To use this terminology is to accept the liberals brain washing. If they must be called something other than what they are the closest term would be "battle rifle" and even that is mostly incorrect since the civilian versions are merely semi auto's.

Assault rifle just sounds mean, killing and the perfect wording for liberals to encourage gun control/confiscation.

[JB White]

In the 70's and early 80's it was gun owners who coined the term "assault rifle". CAR15, H&K91, FN-FAL....all used by us to distinguish them from lever and bolt actions. WE handed them the term on a silver platter.

[togor]

Older than the 70s perhaps.
Sturmgewehr?

Medium power cartridge for higher round capacity and improved control in fire & movement tactics.

[JB White]

I'm referring to the American lexicon. Calling semi-auto black rifles "assault rifles" in all the gun rags and over-the-counter banter in US gun shops.

But you're right about the Sturmgewehr being the first sucessfully fielded selective fire infantry rifle.

[Sunray]

"...gun owners who coined the term..." Nope. Adolf Hitler coined the term for the first such firearm the StG 44 during W.W. II. It means a select fire, mag fed, weapon chambered in the same calibre as the PBI rifle but with a smaller cartridge.
The second and only other such firearm is the AK-47. All the rest, like the M-16, the FAL and their 'semi-auto only' children, are battle rifles not assault rifles. The issue is all the gun rags and over-the-counter banter in gun shops(isn't just U.S. shops) using incorrect terms that feed the assorted anti-firearm gangs.

[bostonbound]

Obviously laws like this at the local level have little practical effect. But given the news today out of Texas, those locals probably think they're on the right side of history in this issue.

You are absolutely correct. Thank goodness the attacker in Texas didn’t have an “assault rifle “. He might have shot someone.

Since he didn’t, no one was hurt.

Sarcasm over.

Have some read you the story. It’s better when you can make your inane remarks with a little truth stirred in.

[togor]

So those locals who passed their law think they're on the wrong side of history?

[togor]

"...gun owners who coined the term..." Nope. Adolf Hitler coined the term for the first such firearm the StG 44 during W.W. II. It means a select fire, mag fed, weapon chambered in the same calibre as the PBI rifle but with a smaller cartridge.
The second and only other such firearm is the AK-47. All the rest, like the M-16, the FAL and their 'semi-auto only' children, are battle rifles not assault rifles. The issue is all the gun rags and over-the-counter banter in gun shops(isn't just U.S. shops) using incorrect terms that feed the assorted anti-firearm gangs.

Not sure if matching bore diameter is a truly necessary criteria for determining if a gun is in the category. Reduced power cartridge for increased round count and control in rapid fire (incl. full auto) seems like the essential criteria. Depends on how much of a stickler you want to be. But by another name the M4 certainly does the same job.

[noslack327]

According to the new Webster definition a assault rifle is anything that looks like a military rifle.... Bahahahahahahah.

[Former Cav]

If you were an American Indian and the cavalry was after you, anything was an "assault weapon".

It's all about marketing. The gun companies shoot themselves in the proverbial foot.
Tactical rifle.... OOOOH BAD!
Varmint firle.......... SAME THING but NOT BAD!! and about $200 cheaper.

Oh yeah, TACTI-KOOL..... We are all real "operators" now.

The libs are afraid of statues so why wouldn't they be afraid of a gun?????

[AZshooter]

"Assault Rifle" is terminology ginned up by the anti-gun media. It is intended to be repeated incessantly, until accepted as a true definition. The same ploy worked with the term "immigrants" which the sheeple now accept as meaning "illegals".

Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth.