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The terms "assault rifle," "assault weapon," and "automatic weapon" are being used interchangeably by the media. To discuss any aspect of gun laws, it's important to know the difference. This thread will serve as a continually-updated resource for correct information regarding this subject. If you see any errors, please reply with details and sources so this resource can be refined as accurately as possible. Thanks!
There is no standard definition of "assault weapon." The specifics of what defines an assault weapon differ by state, but is generally any semi-automatic rifle, shotgun, or pistol with one or more of the following characteristics:
A detachable magazine
A vertical forward grip
A pistol grip
A barrel shroud
A threaded barrel that can accept attachments
A flash suppressor
This means a pistol can be an "assault weapon" if it can accept detachable magazines, as many pistols do.
Click here to learn more about the confusion regarding the terms "assault weapons" and "assault rifles."
The distinctions matter because many people say they want to "ban assault weapons" and don't realize they're advocating banning pistols, hunting rifles, and semi-automatic shotguns.
"Assault weapon" is not a term used by firearm manufacturers or the military. It's a term with a subjective definition that isn't easy to pin down. For example, a certain firearm that has a detachable 10-round magazine is considered an assault weapon, but the identical weapon is not considered an assault weapon when it has a 10-round magazine that can't be detached without a tool.
Additionally, "assault-style" is an arbitrary term that refers to the appearance, not the function of a weapon. Also, a "military-style" weapon is not a weapon used by the military. These terms are entirely arbitrary.
"Assault rifle", on the other hand, is a military term and has a specific definition.
Assault rifles are shoulder-fired medium-caliber rifles with selective-fire which means they have three configuration options: (a) automatic (unlimited rounds per trigger pull); (b) semi-automatic (one round per trigger pull); and (c) burst mode (2-3 rounds per trigger pull). They also use intermediate caliber rounds.
Since assault rifles can fire automatically, they are illegal without a class III stamp from the government. See below for more information.
Assault rifles are not assault weapons. These terms are not interchangeable.
The debate about banning assault rifles is a misnomer since they are already illegal to purchase without a class III stamp, it's hard to get a license to own one, and they're expensive beyond most collectors' budgets.
There is no such thing as a "fully semi-automatic" gun. It's either fully automatic, or semi-automatic.
There is no such thing as a "semi-automatic assault rifle" - the term "semi-automatic" is redundant because an assault rifle is, by definition, capable of both automatic and semi-automatic fire.
Assault rifles are nearly impossible to get because they're illegal almost everywhere
(click here to learn more about the laws restricting civilian ownership of automatic weapons).
Note: A semi-automatic AR or AK firearm is not an assault rifle.
AR does not stand for "assault rifle." It stands for "Armalite" - the manufacturer.
To obtain an assault rifle in the U.S. (an automatic firearm) you must:
Live in a state that doesn't prohibit assault rifles. This is hard because most states prohibit automatic weapons.
Pass the 1934 NFA requirements which include multiple, Federal background checks.
Get a class III license.
Pay a couple hundred bucks in tax.
Submit photos of yourself as well as your passport.
Receive approval from local law enforcement.
Then you can purchase only a pre-1986 model - these are extremely rare and expensive, so they're mostly purchased by collectors. We're talking $10,000-$40,000 per firearm. As a comparison, the AR-15, which is NOT an assault rifle, costs about $1,500.
There is no standard definition of "assault weapon." The specifics of what defines an assault weapon differ by state, but is generally any semi-automatic rifle, shotgun, or pistol with one or more of the following characteristics:
A detachable magazine
A vertical forward grip
A pistol grip
A barrel shroud
A threaded barrel that can accept attachments
A flash suppressor
This means a pistol can be an "assault weapon" if it can accept detachable magazines, as many pistols do.
Click here to learn more about the confusion regarding the terms "assault weapons" and "assault rifles."
The distinctions matter because many people say they want to "ban assault weapons" and don't realize they're advocating banning pistols, hunting rifles, and semi-automatic shotguns.
"Assault weapon" is not a term used by firearm manufacturers or the military. It's a term with a subjective definition that isn't easy to pin down. For example, a certain firearm that has a detachable 10-round magazine is considered an assault weapon, but the identical weapon is not considered an assault weapon when it has a 10-round magazine that can't be detached without a tool.
Additionally, "assault-style" is an arbitrary term that refers to the appearance, not the function of a weapon. Also, a "military-style" weapon is not a weapon used by the military. These terms are entirely arbitrary.
"Assault rifle", on the other hand, is a military term and has a specific definition.
Assault rifles are shoulder-fired medium-caliber rifles with selective-fire which means they have three configuration options: (a) automatic (unlimited rounds per trigger pull); (b) semi-automatic (one round per trigger pull); and (c) burst mode (2-3 rounds per trigger pull). They also use intermediate caliber rounds.
Since assault rifles can fire automatically, they are illegal without a class III stamp from the government. See below for more information.
Assault rifles are not assault weapons. These terms are not interchangeable.
The debate about banning assault rifles is a misnomer since they are already illegal to purchase without a class III stamp, it's hard to get a license to own one, and they're expensive beyond most collectors' budgets.
There is no such thing as a "fully semi-automatic" gun. It's either fully automatic, or semi-automatic.
There is no such thing as a "semi-automatic assault rifle" - the term "semi-automatic" is redundant because an assault rifle is, by definition, capable of both automatic and semi-automatic fire.
Assault rifles are nearly impossible to get because they're illegal almost everywhere
(click here to learn more about the laws restricting civilian ownership of automatic weapons).
Note: A semi-automatic AR or AK firearm is not an assault rifle.
AR does not stand for "assault rifle." It stands for "Armalite" - the manufacturer.
To obtain an assault rifle in the U.S. (an automatic firearm) you must:
Live in a state that doesn't prohibit assault rifles. This is hard because most states prohibit automatic weapons.
Pass the 1934 NFA requirements which include multiple, Federal background checks.
Get a class III license.
Pay a couple hundred bucks in tax.
Submit photos of yourself as well as your passport.
Receive approval from local law enforcement.
Then you can purchase only a pre-1986 model - these are extremely rare and expensive, so they're mostly purchased by collectors. We're talking $10,000-$40,000 per firearm. As a comparison, the AR-15, which is NOT an assault rifle, costs about $1,500.
