It's like you guys need a translator while everyone is speaking english.
(Not uncommon between groups with no common specialized language)
So, a few definitions. and information.
Single shot- Each round must be loaded individually maybe with mechanical help, but it requires a person to do it.
Semi- Automatic- The gun loads the next round itself. But the operator still needs to pull the trigger. Most hunting rifles are made this way, and also many shotguns.
Fully automatic- Pull the trigger, it shoots until you let off or run out.
(selective fire not included for simplicity)
Assault weapon
One side- any gun with a set of possibly scary looking features. Pistol grips accessory mounting rails, that perforated tube grip thingy on the front etc.
Other side
a- There isn't really any such thing, no manufacturer calls their product that.
b- There are however guns that are fully automatic. And these have been heavily regulated for close to 90 years.
The key laws covering fully automatic.
1934 NFA. requires tons of paperwork, a then heavy tax on transfer, and registration, and an in depth background check. For all automatic weapons as well as a host of others, like shotguns with less than 18 inch barrels, weapons built as part of another object like a sword cane. and much more. Last I checked, only three crimes had been committed with an NFA registered firearm.
1968 Gun control act
Until this went into effect, it was possible to register a previously unregistered NFA weapon. So if you inherited grand uncle Eddies tommy gun you could make it legal. After? Not so much.
(A friend considered buying a sword cane, and NFA item, but it was not registered. He asked the ATF the question hypothetically what it would require to make it legal, and the answer was reams of probably unavailable paperwork, and even then they might not do it. )
1986 gun owners protection act.
Made transfer of fully automatic firearms illegal unless the firearm was legally owned prior to May 19 1986
Making Uncle Eddies Tommy gun worth a bundle of cash! Hope your relatives registered it...
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In my opinion, the assault weapons bans we have had are basically banning things based on their appearance.
Many hunting or target shooting rifles are much more powerful than an AR-15, but are "safe" because they have no features that make them look like a modern military firearm.
Sort of like banning a car because it's a "sports car" which would also ban most Volkswagen Beetle based kit cars. but the Tesla performance models that look like a fairly ordinary car would be just fine.
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