Assault weapon

Assault weapon or "assault-style weapon" is a nebulous term referring to a class of firearms that are not fully automatic (i.e., are not machine guns, and fire only one shot with each pull of the trigger) and are thus not technically assault rifles.

The term is often used as a dysphemism by public officials, media, and gun-control proponents to refer to any firearms they consider inappropriate for civilian ownership or firearms that are commonly used in crime or terrorism. (Please note that just about any weapon could be used for assault!)

Many (but not all) assault weapons share these characteristics:

• Semiautomatic rifle, pistol, or shotgun
• Ability to accept a detachable magazine
• Rapidity of fire due to large magazine capacity
• Medium power ammunition
• Suitability for law enforcement or military use
• Military-style appearance, including features that are of dubious utility to private citizens, such as a grenade launcher or barrel shroud.

Assault weapons and their owners are frequently criticized by certain disarmament groups such as the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Million Mom March[?], and other organizations. Those who would own assault weapons often cite novelty, collectibility, riot control, and civil defense as justification. Those who would outlaw assault weapons cite cultural utilitarianism and other societal justifications such as public safety from a perceived threat to stability presented by private ownership of assault weapons.

The frequent erroneous use of the term "assault rifle" by media and gun control supporters when reporting on or discussing assault weapons has produced a popular misconception that assault weapons are fully-automatic machine guns.

Most countries prohibit or heavily restrict the ownership of assault weapons by private citizens.

See also: assault weapons ban, assault rifle