What Is An Assault Rifle?

What Is An Assault Rifle?

Assault Rifle
Much as the concepts of “Art” or “Pornography”” at first seem obvious but are difficult to define in with precision for legal purposes, so it is with the concept of “Assault Rifle”.
The concept of what is often referred to as an Assault Rifle was developed by Germany near the end of WW-II. They developed a light weight rifle that was capable of being switched from semi-automatic operation to fully automatic operation. This was coupled with the co-development of a reduced power cartridge. This rifle, the “StG-44”, was successful ion the Easton Front in 1944-’45.

Following WW-II, the Soviets developed the AK-47, which was similar in concept to Germany’s Stg-44, but different in mechanical operation. It utilizes a reduced power cartridge and may be fired in semi-auto and full-auto modes. In the immediate post-war period, the western powers developed military rifles that could switch from semi-auto to full auto but were designed to fire what many call a full power cartridge. The NATO countries adopted the .308 Winchester round also designated “7.62 NATO.” These full powered rifles were not adequately controllable in full-auto mode.

During the late 1950s, an aerospace engineer, Eugene Stoner, was working for the Armalite Company designing a series of then cutting edge, non-traditional firearms utilizing aluminum alloys and plastics extensively while avoiding wood and steel. The full power model was designated the AR-10. This was chambered in .308 Winchester. The AR signified “Armalite Rifle”. A lower power, lower recoil design was designated the AR-15. It was smaller and lighter and chambered for a cartridge usually used for small game, the .222 Remington. Neither design was successful in the civilian or military markets.

The US Air Force eventually acquired a limited number of AR-15s as survival rifles. Some of these found their way into the Viet Nam war zone where they were welcomed by the Vietnamese who were having difficulty with the much heavier full power 1M-14; the standard rifle of the US Army at that time. The Army eventually held trials and adopted a modified AR-15 in a slightly different cartridge, the .223/5.56 NATO and capable of fully automatic fire as the M-16. The Soviets eventually adapted the AK design to shoot a reduced recoil round similar to but different from the 5.56 NATO round and designated the rifle AK-74.

It should be noted here that none of the rifles mentioned so far have been designated as an “Assault Rifle” by military organizations. The use of the term “assault rifle” informally refers to a select-fire, light weight rifle chambered in a reduced power cartridge. The US Army adopted a reduced power light rifle in 1939, often called the “M-1 Carbine”. This has usually not been considered to be an “assault rifle” because it is semi-auto only. It was later redesigned to be select-fire and used in the Korean War as the M-2 Carbine. . . .but again, not type classified as an “assault rifle”.

When adopted by the US Army, the Armalite patents were sold to Colt industries. These patents expired eventually, and the Stoner designed AR operating system is now in the public domain. The AR-15 name is owned by Colt Industries alone. In the context of defining types of firearms for regulatory purposes, the term “AR-15” can only be used to name a specific version or the Armalite rifle built by Colt for a few years. However, “AR-15” is often used casually in informal discussions of rifle types. Many prefer to use terms such as “AR-15 type” though.

Today, with the Armalite designs in the public domain, many commercial companies manufacture complete AR derived rifles and accessory parts worldwide. Rifles of this pattern are now available in several calibers other than .223/5.56 NATO. A rifle of Stoner’s AR-design can be assembled from parts in a home workshop without the use of traditional gunsmithing tools such as milling machines or a lathe or even a drill press.
ress.

The ArmaLite 15 is a classic assault rifle. You might know it better as an M-16, the U.S. Military's version of the weapon. Today, we are going to take you through the history of this iconic American weapon, from its inception in 1959 to the present day.


1950's: The ArmaLite Company is Founded

The ArmaLite Company traces its humble beginnings back to the early 1950's in Hollywood, California. The company was founded by George Sullivan, who worked as the patent counsel for the Lockheed Corporation (today Lockheed Martin).


1955: The U.S. Army Seeks a Replacement Rifle

In 1955, the United States Military decided it was time to replace the tried-and-true M1 Garand, the staple of World War II that had served admirably at the time, but was limited in regards to its ammunition capacity. The M1 Garand only held eight rounds and weighed over ten and a half-pounds, making the elegant firearm a bit of an antique.

1961: Eugene Stoner Becomes a Consultant at Colt

At this time, Eugene Stoner leaves the ArmaLite company, taking a position as a consultant at Colt. Around the same time, the United States Airforce tests the AR-15, commissioning 8,500 for Air Force use.


1994-2004: Civilian Production Halts

Civilian production had to be halted, however, after the Federal Assault Weapons Ban made civilian assault weapons illegal from 1994 to 2004. Unfortunately, this legislation resulted in no significant decrease in gun violence.

Did the legislation ultimately fail? In light of the growing number of public mass shootings in recent years, the debate between gun enthusiasts and anti-gun activists continues.





The M-16 might have been replaced in the United States Military, but it's far from an antique. Production continues, as the M-15 models continue to see use in militaries around the world. Likewise, the AR-15 continues to be a favorite of hunters and gun hobbyists, making it one of the most popular modern sporting rifle choices on the market today.

Sam Bocetta is a retired engineer who worked for over 35 years as an engineer specializing in electronic warfare and advanced computer systems. Past projects include development of EWTR systems, Antifragile EW project and development of Chaff countermeasures. Sam now teaches at Algonquin Community College in Ottawa, Canada as a part time engineering professor.

https://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/ar...he-ar-15-rifle

The AR-15 is often referred to as an Assault Rifle. Since many people Hunt with AR-15 Rifles does it become a Hunting Rifle if that's what you do with it?

at its start Lever Action

Only Colt made the "AR-15". T5hy do not any longer.

Many companies and private indeviduals assemble fifles that are derived fgrom Stoner's general design, layout and operating system, but none of them are "AR-15s".

automatic or semiautomatic. extended magazine. highly accurate, possibly with scope and laser pointer. not meant for hunting or civilian use: key points on an AR-15.

automatic Originally Posted by pxmcc

Automatic weapons are not legal for ownership outside of the military. Therefore, there are NO civilian owned "assault" rifles.

or semiautomatic. Originally Posted by pxmcc

That's every rifle thats not a bolt/lever action. So EVERY semi-auto rifle is an "assault" rifle.

extended magazine. Originally Posted by pxmcc

From what? single round? Since after market magazines can be bought for nearly every rifle on the market, nearly every rifle qualifies as an "assault" rifle

highly accurate, Originally Posted by pxmcc

Any rifle is only as accurate as the persion utilizing it. This is a meaningless statement and could encompass any rifle in existence.

possibly with scope and laser pointer. Originally Posted by pxmcc

Scopes and pointer can be added to virtually ANY rifle. This means nearly every rifle is an "assault" rifle

not meant for hunting Originally Posted by pxmcc

Overly broad term.... virtually EVERY caliber or rifle can be used for hunting depending on the prey. There are no "non-hunting" rifles. Therefor you mean every rifle is an "asault" rifle.

or civilian use. Originally Posted by pxmcc

So every rifle not in use by the military is automatically NOT an assault rifle?

If it's not obvious to you that you have no clue what you are talkiing about, you might be a liberal.
Thanks for playing.

So, is this an "ASsault Rifle"? It is not an AR-15 style rifle.

https://gunmagwarehouse.com/blog/fig...tate-legal-ar/

Is this an "Assault Rifle"? It is nor semi-automatic.

https://soldiersystems.net/2022/10/1...year-paradigm/

Is this an "Assault Rifle"? Hint: It is not a rifle.

https://www.athlonoutdoors.com/artic...aider-review/?

So, is this an "ASsault Rifle"? It is not an AR-15 style rifle.

https://gunmagwarehouse.com/blog/fig...tate-legal-ar/

Is this an "Assault Rifle"? It is nor semi-automatic.

https://soldiersystems.net/2022/10/1...year-paradigm/ Originally Posted by ICU 812

Neither are assault weapons... or both are, or only one is. Because an assault rifle is anything that the left needs it to mean when they need it to mean. If they were successful in removing all AR-15 platform style weapons from legal use, a different weapon would become an "assault" weapon.

Assault is an adjective. Like black, or scary, or dangerous... they really just mean rifles... but they have to start somewhere... and scaring people is the best way to get them to do something you want them to do.

So scare them with COVID death, or scare them with school shootings, or scare them with Climate catastrophe, or scare them by flying planes into buildings...

EVERY law made during times of fear is later turned against the populace to repress them. At some point the government will attempt to disarm the citizens and will later use the fact that they are disarmed to repress them.

That's why every attempt to disarm the populace must be resisted. By any means necessary as the saying goes...

And again: While people informally refer to a large number of rifles as "AR-15s", only Colt ever mde the AR-15 for a few years. They alone own all the legal rights for "AR-15:

And yet again: No military has classified their reduced power, select fire infentry weapon as an "Assault Rifle".

That's why every attempt to disarm the populace must be resisted. By any means necessary as the saying goes... Originally Posted by texassapper

I assume by your statement that you want citizens to have the right to own M-16s/AK-47s, hand grenades, grenade launchers, M-60s, etc.?

Speed Racer:

Ummm . . . .are you aware that US citizens may legally own a fully automatic weapon.?

It is costly, taxed and heavily regulated, but many folks legally own and use fully automatic submachine guns, automatic rifles and belt-fed machineguns.

Speed Racer:

Ummm . . . .are you aware that US citizens may legally own a fully automatic weapon.?

It is costly, taxed and heavily regulated, but many folks legally own and use fully automatic submachine guns, automatic rifles and belt-fed machineguns. Originally Posted by ICU 812

Yes, I do know that some individuals in this country can own a weapon like the M-16 but ownership is highly regulated and I sinceerly doubt I would qualify for ownership,

"Owning a fully automatic M16 is legal for civilians, but the government paperwork required to acquire one takes more than a year, and the purchased M16 must have been manufactured prior to the 1986 ban. M16 rifles cannot simply be purchased new at a store, and the pre-ban rifles being sold today are in excess of $25,000.

Because of the significant government taxes and restrictions, the government has created a world where only the richest Americans can own an M16."

https://backfire.tv/is-it-legal-for-...to-own-an-m16/

I assume by your statement that you want citizens to have the right to own M-16s/AK-47s, hand grenades, grenade launchers, M-60s, etc.? Originally Posted by SpeedRacerXXX

I will settle for the current state... Where citizens may own the equivalent basic long gun that is issued to infantry riflemen.

In this case semi-automatic, gas operated, shoulder weapons.

A grenade is an explosive... I don't need that and if I have to fight the government, I will improvise... it's easily done.

Grenade launchers are useless without grenades (see above)

M-60s? LOL. Hogs haven't been used in the service for quite some time. But I don't think I need a belt fed, crew served weapon... and again if it came to a fight w/ the government, there will be plenty of access to those types of weapons in whatever military formations will spring up.

I will settle for the current state... Where citizens may own the equivalent basic long gun that is issued to infantry riflemen.

In this case semi-automatic, gas operated, shoulder weapons.

A grenade is an explosive... I don't need that and if I have to fight the government, I will improvise... it's easily done.

Grenade launchers are useless without grenades (see above)

M-60s? LOL. Hogs haven't been used in the service for quite some time. But I don't think I need a belt fed, crew served weapon... and again if it came to a fight w/ the government, there will be plenty of access to those types of weapons in whatever military formations will spring up. Originally Posted by texassapper

So you agree that people in this country are currently "disarmed" to some extent? The point being that there are laws and restrictions currently in effect in this country that limit what weapons an individual many own. And you are happy with the status quo.