Why do people insist on using the term, "Assault Weapon?"?

Assault Weapon is a phrase with no meaning. It means nothing and therefore can mean anything you want it to. Why do people continue to use this term?

I've heard people call everything from an AR-15 to a single shot .22lr an "assault weapon."

Assault rifle is a real word. It has meaning. It is a select fire rifle.

I just find it funny whenever a reporter calls a peashooter or a handgun an "assault weapon." The ignorance of people in general is quite interesting and vast when it comes to guns. Do people not teach their kids anything?

Ideas?

kennith w2009-09-29T12:38:06Z

Favorite Answer

An assault rifle is a man-portable firearm, chambered for a cartridge that is generally accepted to be an intermediate or rifle cartridge. It is designed to be primarily operated with both of the user's hands, is equipped with some form of a shoulder stock, and is not an adapted form of a longer firearm. It is as well equipped with a rifled barrel. Primarily, however, an assault rifle is a firearm that meets the previous requirements as well as provides it's operator the facility to readily choose between semi-automatic operation and either fully automatic operation or burst fire operation, and to choose between these functions at will and repeatedly as necessary.

THAT is the definition of assault rifle. There is no other definition.

An assault rifle is a very specific type of firearm. The term has a concrete definition. There can be no other opinion or option.

This legal definition mumbo-jumbo fails to address some serious issues, chief of which is the fact that legally defined is not absolutely defined. Assault rifle has had a proper definition for many, many years. That definition is still in use by everyone that uses them in practice. It is still Uncle Sam's own definition of the term. The "legal definition" was a temporary lapse in logic and judgement, and was not only incorrect, but also DIRECTLY at odds with the government's own facts on the matter.

Legal definitions can be wrong, actual definitions cannot be wrong. Legal definitions are simply arbitrary benchmarks set in place to provide foundation for building an argument. That is all they are. They are constructed to give a foothold in the subject matter, and serve no other purpose. They are simply a 21st century way of logically defining something on a microcosmic scale, in order to make the subject fit the argument's scale, so it can be explored in debate more readily. These definitions are meaningless, and entirely motivated by agenda.

Assault rifle has a definition, and I have provided it here. Let whoever reads this answer understand, and let this be the end of the confusion for them.

STEVEN F2009-09-24T15:33:30Z

Assault rifle is NOT a legitimate term either. As a prior answer stated, an assault weapon is ANYTHING used as a weapon in an assault, even if the 'weapon' is coffee. A fully automatic rifle is NOT an assault weapon if used for DEFENSIVE purposes.

As for the answer referring to the 'legal definition': The English language is NOT subject tp the AGENDA of politicians. No matter what laws they pass, they can' LEGITIMATELY redefine words.

tonalc22009-09-24T15:07:34Z

Because it is a legal definition that includes automatic and semi-automatic weapons.

A semi-automatic rifle is an assault weapon if it can accept a detachable magazine and has two or more of the following:

* A folding or telescoping stock
* A pistol grip
* A bayonet mount
* A flash suppressor, or threads to attach one
* A grenade launcher.

A semiautomatic shotgun is an "assault weapon" if it has two or more of the following:

* A folding or telescoping stock
* A pistol grip
* A magazine capacity of over 5 rounds
* A detachable magazine.

A semiautomatic pistol is an "assault weapon" if it can accept a detachable magazine and has two or more of the following:

* A magazine outside of the grip
* A threaded barrel to accept a flash suppressor, silencer, etc.
* A barrel shroud
* A weight of 50 oz or more, unloaded
* "A semiautomatic version of an automatic firearm."

?2016-12-04T03:29:18Z

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Anonymous2009-09-24T15:00:07Z

Nothing is an assault rifle until it is used in an assault. Much like an assault knife, assault baseball bat an asault chain... an assault on freedom.