What is an assault weapon?

An assault weapon is a weapon that can be fired fully automatically like a machine gun or one designed specifically to destroy equipment such as a weapon that can fire explosive or metal penetrating ammunition.

Obviously an AR15 is not an assault weapon It just looks like it could be one. Many common hunting rifles are far more powerful. AR stands for automatic Rifle. The M16 is a Military assault rifle that fires the same ammunition.

Assault weapon is a made up term by libs who are scared of a gun resembling a military weapon.

"Assault weapon is a term used in the United States to define some types of firearms. The definition varies among regulating jurisdictions, but usually includes semi-automatic firearms with a detachable magazine and a pistol grip, and sometimes other features such as a flash suppressor or barrel shroud. Some firearms are specified by name."

There's not a set-and-fast definition. Generally, when people talk about them they're talking about a weapon that has the following characteristics:

• A military weapon, either by design or derivation. For instance, the M-16 and AR-15 were designed for the U.S. military. There are other similar guns that are derivations/modifications of them that would qualify by that rule.

• Ammo is either belt- or clip-fed, generally the latter.

• Semi- or full-automatic round feed.

Military weapons would typically be more suitable for killing people than hunting, although they could be used for both purposes. They would typically fire a high-velocity round and possibly be capable of penetrating light armor, depending on the round and the range.

Characteristics such as a pistol grip or a bayonet socket are sometimes part of the definition, but I don't see why. I suppose a pistol grip might make it easier to spray fire, but it's more of an ergonomic feature.

Bayonets are not really a modern weapon of war: even in the American Civil War surgeons noticed that very few soldiers sustained bayonet wounds: cannon and Minié balls caused almost all casualties, even then.

Dumbass