Assault Weapon Education Please?

[popsjumper 2]

For those of us who are less knowlegable about assault weapons:

You experts. Edumacate us, please.
I'm no weapons expert.
For you knowlegable guys it's going to appear as stupid questions, I know.

What makes an "assault rifle" an assault rifle?
Is it form or function?

If it's only form, then screw the fear mongers by simply changing the form, eh?

If it's only function, what is it about the function that is different than any other weapon?
In all simplicity, all weapons are the same.
You fire it, it does some sort of damage to what you hit whether it's a target, a deer, or anything else.

Yes, I understand that there is a design goal in weapons development....if you want to do this, then that is a better weapon to use to accomplish your goal.

Surely, any "assault weapon" could be, and is, used for other purposes than simply maiming humans, right? Hell, ANY weapon could be used for that so why do the fearful get all wadded up about "assault weapons" and create an assault weapon ban?


Thanks in advance.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[Gravitymaster 0]

An "Assault Weapon" is a left-wing term for any scary looking semi-automatic weapon. You have to squeeze the trigger to fire each round but you don't have to slide a bolt or re-cock it for each round.

[popsjumper 2]

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An "Assault Weapon" is a left-wing term for any scary looking semi-automatic weapon. You have to squeeze the trigger to fire each round but you don't have to slide a bolt or re-cock it for each round.

I'd question "left-wing". Seems to me that the fearful are not politically motivated. It seems to me that the motivation is fear. The fear drives the politics, eh?

So, an "Assault Weapon"
1. Looks scary
2. Is semi-automatic

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[rushmc 18]

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An "Assault Weapon" is a left-wing term for any scary looking semi-automatic weapon. You have to squeeze the trigger to fire each round but you don't have to slide a bolt or re-cock it for each round.

I'd question "left-wing". Seems to me that the fearful are not politically motivated. It seems to me that the motivation is fear. The fear drives the politics, eh?

So, an "Assault Weapon"
1. Looks scary
2. Is semi-automatic

Google "AR15"

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[Gravitymaster 0]

After you see more posts on this thread, you won't question the "left-wingers" term anymore. I don't have any friends who own semi-automatics that refer to them as "assault weapons". That's a term made up to scare people to support gun banning efforts by left-wingers.

If I shoot someone with 6 rounds from a revolver, it's not an assault weapon. If I shoot 6 rounds from an AK-47, in the same amount of time it's an assault weapon.

[rushmc 18]

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After you see more posts on this thread, you won't question the "left-wingers" term anymore. I don't have any friends who own semi-automatics that refer to them as "assault weapons". That's a term made up to scare people to support gun banning efforts by left-wingers.

If I shoot someone with 6 rounds from a revolver, it's not an assault weapon. If I shoot 6 rounds from an AK-47, in the same amount of time it's an assault weapon.

Got to remember these same loons wish to get rid of semi-auto hand guns too

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[popsjumper 2]

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Google "AR15"

I did. It appears that those links support the idea that it's only form that defines "assault weapon".

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[rushmc 18]

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Google "AR15"

I did. It appears that those links support the idea that it's only form that defines "assault weapon".

Ya

And look at the Clinton gun ban too

More than a 10 round mag was illegal

Bayonet holders and removable or changeable flash hiders were also part of the definition

Heck, some places if the weapon had a removable mag it was illegal


All of this will help show how stupid the lable is/was

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[rushmc 18]

How about this bad boy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xohy9gWz7kk&sns=fb

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[remibond 0]

Because Wikipedia is never wrong.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Assault_Weapons_Ban#Definition_of_assault_weapon

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Assault weapon refers primarily (but not exclusively) to firearms that had been developed from earlier fully automatic firearms into semi-automatic civilian-legal versions. Semi-automatic firearms, when fired, automatically extract the spent cartridge casing and load the next cartridge into the chamber, ready to fire again; they do not fire automatically like a machine gun, rather, only 1 round is fired with each trigger pull.

[winsor 187]

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For those of us who are less knowlegable about assault weapons:

You experts. Edumacate us, please.

The term "assault weapon" is defined politically, rather than technically.

An assault rifle is typified by the quintessential StG 44. "Sturm Gewehr" translates into English as "Assault Rifle," while the "AR" in AR-15 comes from "Armalite."

The class of assault rifles falls between submachine guns and automatic rifles. A submachine gun is "sub-caliber" in the sense that it uses common pistol ammunition, is fully automatic, and is synonymous with "machine pistol" (e.g., Pistolet-Pulemyot, etc.). Though some submachine guns are capable of select-fire (semi or auto), many designs are full-auto only.

An automatic rifle is typically fully automatic, but can refer to a self-loading/semiautomatic variant (M-14, FN-FAL/L1A1 et al.), and uses a full-patch cartridge (.30-06, 7.62x51, 7.92x57, etc.). The Browning Automatic Rifle was full-auto only - effectively a box magazine fed light machine gun - but most automatic rifles are select-fire - designed for semi-automatic use, with the capacity for full-auto when necessary.

The Assault Rifle was intended to fill the niche between submachine guns and automatic rifles. Assault rifles use reduced-power cartridges, such as the 5.56x45 (varmint round) or 7.62x39, which allow for better control of full-auto fire but satisfactory power and accuracy for normal combat ranges.

Giving up long-range capability is not as big a handicap as it would seem, since actually being able to hit a target at 400m+ is not as important in military operations as might be imagined.

The benefits of full-auto are mixed. The illusion of better effectiveness all too often leads to dreadful marksmanship, as exemplified by the "spray and pray" and "Iraqui Death Blossom" schools of applied firepower.

Bat Masterson's advice regarding how to survive a gunfight - "take your time, and don't miss" - tends to get lost along the way.

At any rate, assault rifles are legal for those with the appropriate Federal license (it's tax paperwork, actually). Automatic firearms are a great way to turn money into noise, and having a lot of fun while doing so.


BSBD,

Winsor

[matthewcline 0]

I was gonna reply to a particular post, but the post is now gone.

An assault weapon was never referred to as such, prior to it becoming the current political hot topic it is these days.

The definition of such a weapon changes with each party in power.

Your conclusion that any weapon can be used as an assault weapon is true. History bears that out.

Now, I am getting another cup of coffee, checking my BP, and warming my hands.

Matt

An Instructors first concern is student safety.
So, start being safe, first!!!

[JohnRich 4]

There are multiple definitions.

To the BATF it means a machinegun.

To the military, it means a machinegun that fires an intermediate-power cartridge.

And to the politicians who banned them, it means this:

           VIOLENT CRIME CONTROL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 1994


TITLE XI--FIREARMS


Subtitle A--Assault Weapons


SEC. 110101. SHORT TITLE.


This subtitle may be cited as the "Public Safety and Recreational

Firearms Use Protection Act".


SEC. 110102. RESTRICTION ON MANUFACTURE, TRANSFER, AND POSSESSION OF

CERTAIN SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPONS.


(a) Restriction.--Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is

amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

"(v)(1) It shall be unlawful for a person to manufacture, transfer,

or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon.

"(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the possession or transfer of

any semiautomatic assault weapon otherwise lawfully possessed

under Federal law on the date of the enactment of this

subsection.  <>

"(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to--

"(A) any of the firearms, or replicas or duplicates of the

firearms, specified in Appendix A to this section,

as such firearms were manufactured on October 1, 1993;

"(B) any firearm that--

"(i) is manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or

slide action;

"(ii) has been rendered permanently inoperable; or

"(iii) is an antique firearm;

"(C) any semiautomatic rifle that cannot accept a detachable

magazine that holds more than 5 rounds of ammunition; or

"(D) any semiautomatic shotgun that cannot hold more than 5

rounds of ammunition in a fixed or detachable magazine.

The fact that a firearm is not listed in Appendix A shall not be

construed to mean that paragraph (1) applies to such firearm. No firearm

exempted by this subsection may be deleted from Appendix A so long as

this subsection is in effect.

"(4) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to--

"(A) the manufacture for, transfer to, or possession by the

United States or a department or agency of the United

States or a State or a department, agency, or political

subdivision of a State, or a transfer to or possession by a

law enforcement officer employed by such an entity for

purposes of law enforcement (whether on or off duty);

"(B) the transfer to a licensee under title I of the Atomic

Energy Act of 1954 for purposes of establishing and

maintaining an on-site physical protection system and

security organization required by Federal law, or

possession by an employee or contractor of such licensee

on-site for such purposes or off-site for purposes of

licensee-authorized training or transportation of nuclear

materials;

"(C) the possession, by an individual who is retired from

service with a law enforcement agency and is not otherwise

prohibited from receiving a firearm, of a semiautomatic

assault weapon transferred to the individual by the agency

upon such retirement; or

"(D) the manufacture, transfer, or possession of a

semiautomatic assault weapon by a licensed manufacturer or

licensed importer for the purposes of testing or

experimentation authorized by the Secretary.".

(b) Definition of Semiautomatic Assault Weapon.--Section 921(a) of

title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end

the following new paragraph:

"(30) The term `semiautomatic assault weapon' means--

"(A) any of the firearms, or copies or duplicates of the

firearms in any caliber, known as--

"(i) Norinco, Mitchell, and Poly Technologies Avtomat

Kalashnikovs (all models);

"(ii) Action Arms Israeli Military Industries UZI and

Galil;

"(iii) Beretta Ar70 (SC-70);

"(iv) Colt AR-15;

"(v) Fabrique National FN/FAL, FN/LAR, and FNC;

"(vi) SWD M-10, M-11, M-11/9, and M-12;

"(vii) Steyr AUG;

"(viii) INTRATEC TEC-9, TEC-DC9 and TEC- 22; and

"(ix) revolving cylinder shotguns, such as (or similar

to) the Street Sweeper and Striker 12;

"(B) a semiautomatic rifle that has an ability to accept a

detachable magazine and has at least 2 of--

"(i) a folding or telescoping stock;

"(ii) a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously

beneath the action of the weapon;

"(iii) a bayonet mount;

"(iv) a flash suppressor or threaded barrel designed

to accommodate a flash suppressor; and

"(v) a grenade launcher;

"(C) a semiautomatic pistol that has an ability to accept a

detachable magazine and has at least 2 of--

"(i) an ammunition magazine that attaches to the

pistol outside of the pistol grip;

"(ii) a threaded barrel capable of accepting a barrel

extender, flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or

silencer;

"(iii) a shroud that is attached to, or partially or

completely encircles, the barrel and that permits

the shooter to hold the firearm with the

nontrigger hand without being burned;

"(iv) a manufactured weight of 50 ounces or more when

the pistol is unloaded; and

"(v) a semiautomatic version of an automatic firearm;

and

"(D) a semiautomatic shotgun that has at least 2 of--

"(i) a folding or telescoping stock;

"(ii) a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously

beneath the action of the weapon;

"(iii) a fixed magazine capacity in excess of 5

rounds; and

"(iv) an ability to accept a detachable magazine.".

(c) Penalties.--

(1) Violation of section 922(v).--Section 924(a)(1)(B) of such

title is amended by striking "or (q) of section 922" and

inserting "(r), or (v) of section 922".

(2) Use or possession during crime of violence or drug

trafficking crime.--Section 924(c)(1) of such title is

amended in the first sentence by inserting ", or

semiautomatic assault weapon," after "short-barreled

shotgun,".

(d) Identification Markings for Semiautomatic Assault Weapons.--

Section 923(i) of such title is amended by adding at the end the

following: "The serial number of any semiautomatic assault weapon

manufactured after the date of the enactment of this sentence

shall clearly show the date on which the weapon was

manufactured.".    

Note that most of the definition is comprised of items like a folding stock, a pistol grip, a bayonet lug, a flash suppressor, a barrel shroud, etc. These are all cosmetic features, that have nothing at all to do with how dangerous the firearm is. They just scare the gun-o-phobes, and that's good enough reason for a ban to them. When was the last time you heard of a mass bayonet killing?

[Andy9o8 0]

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Note that most of the definition is comprised of items like a folding stock, a pistol grip, a bayonet lug, a flash suppressor, a barrel shroud, etc. These are all cosmetic features, that have nothing at all to do with how dangerous the firearm is.

Nitpick - all in good fun!: A folding stock might make the weapon more concealable and/or portable. A pistol grip might make the weapon easier to wield, especially for a relatively untrained operator. Same goes for a barrel shroud. A bayonet lug (with appropriate accessory) might allow the weapon to retain some lethality (other than as a club) once the ammunition is spent. A flash suppressor might allow a shooter to avoid being easily spotted, to his tactical advantage.

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When was the last time you heard of a mass bayonet killing?

In the US? Battle of Little Round Top.

[rehmwa 2]

and it makes the gun LOOK SCARY to those that are really ignorant about firearms

sarcasm - I'm surprised they didn't even add a category for plastic movie props and squirtguns that have the appearance of those features -

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[Garthok 0]

A bit dated, but the info is still completely accurate:

Link

[mnealtx 0]

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I'd question "left-wing". Seems to me that the fearful are not politically motivated. It seems to me that the motivation is fear. The fear drives the politics, eh?

The Brady folks and the other groups supporting the ban are all left-wing, so it was politics driving the fear and not the other way around.

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So, an "Assault Weapon"
1. Looks scary
2. Is semi-automatic

That's about the gist of it, yes...unless a folding stock or pistol grip suddenly changes a rifle chambered in a cartridge that many states won't allow for deer hunting into a weapon of mass chaos.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[pirana 0]

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How about this bad boy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xohy9gWz7kk&sns=fb

So what is the intended purpose of that monster? Are there combat situations for which it was designed? Are they avalaible/legal for the general public to buy?

" . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

[rushmc 18]

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How about this bad boy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xohy9gWz7kk&sns=fb

So what is the intended purpose of that monster? Are there combat situations for which it was designed? Are they avalaible/legal for the general public to buy?

I have NO idea!!

I was sent the link yesterday

I would assume this is a legal gun but at what , $40 a round and the recoil of a pissed off horse, who would want to shot the thing!

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[Coreece 190]

Quote

How about this bad boy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xohy9gWz7kk&sns=fb

Could you imagine getting scope eye with that!

Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

[rushmc 18]

Quote

Quote

How about this bad boy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xohy9gWz7kk&sns=fb

Could you imagine getting scope eye with that!

I did notice that the scope was small and a long way away from the eye

But you are right

Scope eye with that thing would really suck

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[Coreece 190]

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Scope eye with that thing would really suck

True, but it probably wouldn't be as embarrassing if it were a 270 or something...if you survived!

Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

[rehmwa 2]

Quote

Quote

Quote

How about this bad boy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xohy9gWz7kk&sns=fb

Could you imagine getting scope eye with that!

I did notice that the scope was small and a long way away from the eye

But you are right

Scope eye with that thing would really suck

the locking bolt on that thing seems a little thin for the kick we see - I wouldn't want to chance it shearing without knowing more about its design

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[rushmc 18]

Quote

Quote

Quote

Quote

How about this bad boy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xohy9gWz7kk&sns=fb

Could you imagine getting scope eye with that!

I did notice that the scope was small and a long way away from the eye

But you are right

Scope eye with that thing would really suck

the locking bolt on that thing seems a little thin for the kick we see - I wouldn't want to chance it shearing without knowing more about its design

I know of SSK

I think they would have the bugs engineered out

But I bet they did not pull the trigger by hand the first few times they fired the thing

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[rehmwa 2]

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I know of SSK

I think they would have the bugs engineered out

But I bet they did not pull the trigger by hand the first few times they fired the thing

I'm sure. Still, the arm on that bolt looks as thick as the one on my old single shot .22

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants