Assault Rifle Definition Challenges – AR-15s and Why You Can’t Ban Them
By Jacob Paulsen on August 23, 2016 in Gear, Law, Politics
ar15 definition ban assault rifle politics
An assault rifle is a selective-fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles were first used during World War II. Though Western nations were slow to accept the assault rifle concept after World War II, by the end of the 20th century they had become the standard weapon in most of the world’s armies, replacing battle rifles and sub-machine guns. Examples include the StG 44, AK-47 and the M4-A1 rifle. -Wikipedia
That is the definition of an assault rifle according to Wikipedia. A well worded, concise answer to, what seems to be a simple question. However, this topic has a little more meat on its bones as you may have seen if you have opened a laptop, turned on a TV, or flipped through a paper over these past few months.
The AR-15 Is NOT An Assault Rifle
All throughout the news and political sphere these days, the assault rifle is at the center of discussion. The recent string of mass shootings are bringing about a new found ground swell of gun reform speak, mainly directed towards this type of firearm, but even more specifically than assault rifles, much rhetoric is being thrown at the AR-15. After all, it was the main firearm used during the Aurora theater shooting, Sandy Hook massacre, and the terrorist attack in San Bernadino, so it’s understandable that the weapon has become synonymous with death and destruction in the national psyche. But this firearm, at the center of the re-ignited assault weapon ban debate, is not even an assault rifle.
That’s right. There are several major differences between the AR-15 and what constitutes an assault rifle. Many people will say “It’s right there in the name! AR stands for assault rifle!” But it does not. The AR actually stands for Armalite rifle and 15 is the model number. Armalite being the company that created the AR-15.
There are many misleading “facts” out right now in the nation’s gun debate, so to dispel some of the rumors and rhetoric, let’s take a look at some of the facts of the AR-15 and of assault rifles, so that we can see where the differences lie. What Is the Difference Between the “AR-15 Platform” and Military Assault Rifles
ar isn't assault rifle
The AR-15 is the civilian equivalent of the U.S. Army’s standard issue M4-A1 and both use the same 5.56mm rounds of ammunition, and look very similar to one another and admittedly, that does sound a little dangerous to the average person on the street. When someone hears the words military weapon and see a gun that can sometimes be the spitting image for one of the main weapons that the U.S. army uses, people may get a little nervous. But what the average person, who hasn’t done their studying, may not realize is that while the AR-15 can be considered related to an M4-A1, they are not the same. If they were, people would just sell M4-A1’s.
No, there are several differences between the AR and its cousin. The major one, and the one that gets all the press, is precisely what disqualifies the AR-15 from being a military grade assault rifle. The AR does not have the automatic firing capabilities of any of the three rifles mentioned in the assault rifle definition at the top of the page. The AR-15 is semi-automatic, because that is what a U.S. citizen is legally bound to be able to buy, without the proper paperwork. According to an article Rational Basis Analysis of “Assault Weapon” Prohibition by David B. Kopel, written for the Journal of Contemporary Law
In other words, assault rifles are battlefield rifles which can fire automatically. Many civilians have purchased semi-automatic-only rifles that look like military assault rifles. These civilian rifles are, unlike actual assault rifles, incapable of automatic fire.
That is the major factor when looking at the difference between these two rifles. An assault rifle being a fully automated fire capable firearm vs. weapons like the AR-15, that while, by appearances look like they could fire fully automatic, can not. However, if you’re like me and want to do some fun reading about the schematics and really get into the nitty gritty of comparing the two firearms, AR15.com has a wonderful analysis showing the differences right here.
Then Can We Just Ban All Semi-Automatic Rifles Like the AR?
Understanding the difference between fully automatic guns and semi-automatic guns; you can more fully appreciate the challenge in trying to pass legislation to ban the AR-15 or similar rifles. You might be tempted to ask… “should we ban all semi-automatic rifles?” You can’t do that either… unless you are suggesting that we should ban the most popular hunting rifles and shotguns.
Every handgun sold today and a large majority of shotguns and other rifles are also semi-automatic. This makes it impossible to go down that road. Here is a clear illustration of the point:
Poster Comment:
I was talking with a cashier out here at the local WalMart just last year. She told me she likes her boyfriend's AR-15 a lot. I bet she would make a good wife. LOL