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Why a member of the MSM considers this news I don't know, but at least they admit they know the difference. I doubt it's going to stop them from using the term any time it fits an agenda.
What is an "assault weapon?"
Technically, there is no such thing. What’s called an assault weapon (or sometimes an assault rifle) in reports on gun violence is a semi-automatic rifle that looks similar to the assault rifles used by the military.
IIRC, "assault rifle" refers to rifle sized intermediate caliber firearm capable of semi-auto and automatic fire. The German Stg-43 & 44 would have been the grandpa's followed by the AK47 and others.
"Assault Weapon" is a term , I believe started by the media,politicians and anti-gun tyrants (Josh Sugerman of VPC comes to mind) to confuse the non-shooting folks.
It is generally used to cover all types of firearms. Pistol caliber firearms like the old Mac 11's and Uzi carbines were favorite targets, along with just about any hi-cap semi auto pistol.
I once had a geriatric school teacher spouting off about someone shooting a "Uzi" at a local range.....it was me, running bowling pins with a Browning Hi-Power.
Brian D. wrote:Yeah, but don't forget that some gun makers, distributors, and even stores used the term to sell products when legislation was pending.
"Get these assault weapons from us NOW before they are BANNED FOREVER!!".
And it bit us all in the butt.
I believe Webster's dictionary had the correct definition, but Sugerman (and others) used the marketing hype to help spread mis-information and fear.
Sugerman also refers to bolt action varmint rifles as "intermediate sniper rifles", in an attempt to restrict hunting rifles.
Now Ar's & AK's are called "Modern Sporting Rifles" and things like the Sig MPX & CZ Scorpion are "Personal Defense Weapons". Some LE agencies are now calling their
M4's a "PDW".