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Assault Weapon - A legal definition of certain types of weapon created to cause people to associate popular semi automatic rifles with current military rifles. Often applied incorrectly to common sporting rifles. In some states, such as California, the difference between a legal semi-automatic rifle and an 'assault weapon' is cosmetic. For example, a rifle with a fixed stock, threadless barrel and detachable magazine is a 'semi automatic rifle.' Add a pistol grip, and it is an 'assault weapon.'
Assault Rifle - An automatic rifle. Example: An M-16 is an assault rifle. An AR-15 is a semi-automatic rifle.
High Power Rifle - Often used to describe the AR-15. The AR-15 is a low caliber (.223) rifle (considered by many too small to hunt anything larger than rabbits.) and isn't considered by many enthusiasts to be a high powered rifle. If a gun enthusiast is stalking about a high powered rifle, they are likely talking about much larger rifle. 30.06, 7mm, etc.
Semi-Automatic - Also known as Auto-loading, or Self-loading. This type of firearm is capable of firing one round per trigger pull. The next round is subsequently chambered and ready to fire.
High-Capacity Magazine - Commonly used to describe magazines in excess of 5, 7, or 10 rounds. However, a 30 round magazine for an AR-15 is a standard capacity magazine. A 12 round magazine for a Springfield XD handgun is a standard capacity magazine.
Magazine: Typically an enclosed ammunition feeding device which is often detachable. It typically is spring loaded and pushes the next round to the top for loading. An AR-15 has a magazine.
Clip: Usually a simple piece of steel that ammunition snaps into. It may stay with the ammunition when loaded into the firearm, or it may be used just to line the ammunition up. The M1 garand uses a clip.
SACRAMENTO (AP) -- A proposal that would have banned ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 bullets failed Thursday in the state Legislature.
They should have used "cartridges" or "rounds" instead of "bullets." Confucius said that the beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names.
Assault Weapon - A legal definition of certain types of weapon created to cause people to associate popular semi automatic rifles with current military rifles. Often applied incorrectly to common sporting rifles. In some states, such as California, the difference between a legal semi-automatic rifle and an 'assault weapon' is cosmetic. For example, a rifle with a fixed stock, threadless barrel and detachable magazine is a 'semi automatic rifle.' Add a pistol grip, and it is an 'assault weapon.'
Gee if it were just that simple! folding stocks, pistol grips and thread barrels capable of being fitted with flash and sound suppressors are a little more than just cosmetics. None of those features were invented to make weapons cool, each has a real world combat related function. And while the "civilian version" of the AR can only fire in a semi-automatic mode, the cyclic rate is 45 rounds per minute while the military M16A2/4 has a burst rate of 90 rounds per minute but is limited to 3 round burst so it isn't quite as fast as advertised. In short it is a difference without a distinction.
Quote:
Assault Rifle - An automatic rifle. Example: An M-16 is an assault rifle. An AR-15 is a semi-automatic rifle.
You are quite right, the historical definition of assault rifle, is a rifled weapon capable of firing a full rifle cartridge in an automatic/select fire mode.
Quote:
High Power Rifle - Often used to describe the AR-15. The AR-15 is a low caliber (.223) rifle (considered by many too small to hunt anything larger than rabbits.) and isn't considered by many enthusiasts to be a high powered rifle. If a gun enthusiast is stalking about a high powered rifle, they are likely talking about much larger rifle. 30.06, 7mm, etc.
Calling an .223 caliber AR a low caliber round will come as news to the NRA and those who compete in high caliber competitions such as the Camp Perry National Match with the AR or Mi6. As for hunting... this will come as a surprise to many a coyote or deer hunter (ps you've just undermined one of the better reasons to justify ownership of AR15'S)
High-Capacity Magazine - Commonly used to describe magazines in excess of 5, 7, or 10 rounds. However, a 30 round magazine for an AR-15 is a standard capacity magazine.
Standard for the military! Otherwise there is no such thing as a "standard" magazine for an AR15! As for the Springfield XD, the Glock 22, 23, or whatever, standard is what the gun comes with which doesn't mean that it can't be fitted with a smaller capacity magazine.[/quote]
Wacko terms are nothing new from the disarmament junkies. Terms like "semi automatic revolver", "assault pistol", magical and mysterious powers given to accessories such as muzzle breaks and bayonet lugs, and barrel shrouds. On and on it goes.
They just run with buzzwords, trying to make it seem that they actually know what they are talking about. If it sounds evil and dangerous...write it in. Some sap will buy off on it.
In all honesty, rifles like the AR used to be advertised as "assault rifles" . I can remember several dealers in the Reno/Sparks area that used tbe term.
Cosmetics and accessories are harped on a lot. Then, we had the "cop killer bullet" craze. Hollywood went nuts with that situation. I remem er a scene from one of the Lethal Weapon movies wbere Mel Vi son fired a mag full of 9mm slugs through a dozer blade, killing the bad guy with his own "cop killer bullets". Oh PUHHLEEEAASE!!
It do get pretty deep. In fairness, tbe sbooting community has been its own worst enemy at times, with hse of terminology, and not dispelling myths and misinformation. Genies out of the bottle now...
Assault Weapon - A legal definition of certain types of weapon created to cause people to associate popular semi automatic rifles with current military rifles. Often applied incorrectly to common sporting rifles. In some states, such as California, the difference between a legal semi-automatic rifle and an 'assault weapon' is cosmetic. For example, a rifle with a fixed stock, threadless barrel and detachable magazine is a 'semi automatic rifle.' Add a pistol grip, and it is an 'assault weapon.'
Assault Rifle - An automatic rifle. Example: An M-16 is an assault rifle. An AR-15 is a semi-automatic rifle.
High Power Rifle - Often used to describe the AR-15. The AR-15 is a low caliber (.223) rifle (considered by many too small to hunt anything larger than rabbits.) and isn't considered by many enthusiasts to be a high powered rifle. If a gun enthusiast is stalking about a high powered rifle, they are likely talking about much larger rifle. 30.06, 7mm, etc.
Semi-Automatic - Also known as Auto-loading, or Self-loading. This type of firearm is capable of firing one round per trigger pull. The next round is subsequently chambered and ready to fire.
High-Capacity Magazine - Commonly used to describe magazines in excess of 5, 7, or 10 rounds. However, a 30 round magazine for an AR-15 is a standard capacity magazine. A 12 round magazine for a Springfield XD handgun is a standard capacity magazine.
Magazine: Typically an enclosed ammunition feeding device which is often detachable. It typically is spring loaded and pushes the next round to the top for loading. An AR-15 has a magazine.
Clip: Usually a simple piece of steel that ammunition snaps into. It may stay with the ammunition when loaded into the firearm, or it may be used just to line the ammunition up. The M1 garand uses a clip.
Add anything I missed...
Yep,
Gun control is an emotional argument not fact based.
Legal definitions trump facts such as the definition of an 'assault rifle' and defy logic but are the official reference point for argument.
The media is a loose cannon and source of misinformation. Figure out how to impact legislators and media with a far larger audience for a broadcast than a letter of correction to the editor, which no one reads, or a phone cal to the offending legislator who will thank you for your interest in a form letter.
Good to point out the misuse of terminology but you won't win anyone over with 'correct' definitions and you will lose the war. How do you combat/'educate' a Diane DeGette, esteemed legislator from CO, who had no idea what a magazine was and yet approved a law based on her ignorance?
You might want to include that there are no 'accidental shootings' that result from 'cleaning a gun'. The correct term would be suicide or irresponsibly playing with a loaded gun...
article in an old NJ newspaper told of a guy who blew half his face off, was ambulatory and even told police he was cleaning his gun and it went off. "Police doubted his story because there was a heavy cord still attached to the trigger".
You might want to talk about bullet construction as this seems to be a mystery even to gun owners let alone the DDeG level legislators across the country. Critical information there and speaks to responsible firearm use.
You might also mention that listening to people like the vice president of the US does not constiitute legal advice. Neither does the big orange law book available for sale in every gun shop.
You might want to point out that if you had a map with push pins locted where violent crimes took place you would find them clustered around gang territories.
Technical terms are good to clarify but are as effective in winning over anti-gun folks as are the feel good gun laws that make criminals out of law abiding citizens...like the new NYC laws and fail to address the source of violence, gangs and drugs.
Push to get firearms safety programs in schools to compliment fire safety, driver's ed, drug programs like DARE.
A 'gun nut' best describes a fanatical person obsessed with the eliminatrion of firearms under the pretext of safety, while ignoring the upstream source of violence; gangs, drugs and their buddies who buy illegal drugs to financially support the gangs violent behavior. A 'gun nuts' best friend is his self absorbed legistlator who passes feel good gun laws.
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