03-08-2004, 07:14 PM
The term assault rifle is tossed around frequently. I don't know if there is an official definition but here is my point of view on certain criteria I have seen used to define it:
Removeable magazines, of varying sizes? Whether it's a 6 round reloader for a revolver or a 30 round magazine a user familiar with his weapon will not take long to reload. (Belt fed weapons and 50 round or hundred round drums do go a bit overboard from my point of view. Anyone ever fired a Calico?)
Some people base it on the look of the weapon. I don't feel that is a valid criteria. Weapons with a military look to them don't make them assault rifles.
A weapon that is semi automatic (where pulling the trigger fires one round and then the weapon cycles a new round into the chamber) does not make it an assault weapon. Many pistols, shotguns, and rifles operate this way.
Fully automatic weapons (the weapon continues to fire rounds as long as there are rounds in the magazine and the trigger is held down) I feel do not need to be in the hands of private citizens. For the average user it tends to create the spray and pray philosophy of marksmanship. But they tend to be the most fun to shoot, don't they B) .
Like it was pointed out earlier, banning guns, for the most part, will only affect law abiding citizens. The post with the link to circular (il)logic can be used here: you are a law abiding citizen until you break the law <_< .
But if we apply that logic then we need to impound your car (you might drive recklessly), take away your lighter (you might turn to arson), remove all household cleaners from your home (you may poison someone), take away your knives (stabbing), baseball bats (bludgeoning). After that please take our shoelaces so we don't hang ourselves.
Removeable magazines, of varying sizes? Whether it's a 6 round reloader for a revolver or a 30 round magazine a user familiar with his weapon will not take long to reload. (Belt fed weapons and 50 round or hundred round drums do go a bit overboard from my point of view. Anyone ever fired a Calico?)
Some people base it on the look of the weapon. I don't feel that is a valid criteria. Weapons with a military look to them don't make them assault rifles.
A weapon that is semi automatic (where pulling the trigger fires one round and then the weapon cycles a new round into the chamber) does not make it an assault weapon. Many pistols, shotguns, and rifles operate this way.
Fully automatic weapons (the weapon continues to fire rounds as long as there are rounds in the magazine and the trigger is held down) I feel do not need to be in the hands of private citizens. For the average user it tends to create the spray and pray philosophy of marksmanship. But they tend to be the most fun to shoot, don't they B) .
Like it was pointed out earlier, banning guns, for the most part, will only affect law abiding citizens. The post with the link to circular (il)logic can be used here: you are a law abiding citizen until you break the law <_< .
But if we apply that logic then we need to impound your car (you might drive recklessly), take away your lighter (you might turn to arson), remove all household cleaners from your home (you may poison someone), take away your knives (stabbing), baseball bats (bludgeoning). After that please take our shoelaces so we don't hang ourselves.
The Bill of No Rights
The United States has become a place where entertainers and professional athletes are mistaken for people of importance. Robert A. Heinlein
The United States has become a place where entertainers and professional athletes are mistaken for people of importance. Robert A. Heinlein