A different way of defining what an assault weapon is

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

30. And replies

Me: 1. Defining an "assault weapon" is a task whose objective is to provide criteria to identify modern black scary semi-auto rifles so that they may be banned from sale, transfer, manufacture and/or possession. Why engage in this pointless charade?

Kaleva: 1) My definition has nothing to do with appearance. It concentrates on the action of the gun, the length of the barrel and features of the round the gun is designed or has been modified to fire.

It is an excellent idea to develop a precise terminology for use in discussing any topic. No one doubts this. I'm not arguing that point. I'm asking "Why pursue a definition, even a concise and reasonable one, for assault weapons? In my opinion this is an exercise where, once a definition is created, it begs to utilized in some way. Please explain the utility of having a definition.

Me: 2. Why engage in an activity lending credibility to folks with the goal of banning common use rifles with legal purposes?

Kaleva: 2)I say nothing about banning or regulating but I am engaging in an exercise in coming up with a set of definitions for what an assault weapon may be which is easy to understand and can't be easily worked around.

I understand you didn't mention a ban or regulations. "an exercise in coming up with a set of definitions for what an assault weapon may be which is easy to understand and can't be easily worked around" is not in itself useful in a vacuum. Why expend the energy and time to create a definition without a use in mind?


As I see it firearm types for classification purposes include the type of action (bolt, lever, semi-auto...), ammo diameter or caliber, ammo design (shot pellets, soft point, hollow point fmj...), pistol, rifle, sbr...
Developing language has a purpose. An assault rifle was developed some years back as a military weapon useful in certain battle tactics. The term followed the development of the device. No one is developing the termed "assault baseball bat" though the design could certainly be optimized for the purpose of fighting.