Assault rifle

An **assault rifle** is technically a select-fire rifle chambered in an intermediate rifle cartridge that feeds from a detachable magazine. The term is often misused by the anti-gun lobby and gun-grabbing politicians to refer to militaristic-looking semi-automatic firearms such as the AR-15 rifle, but in reality refers to firearms capable of fully automatic or burst fire.

## Technical Definition

In order for a firearm to be classified as an assault rifle, the US Army designates a few characteristics, all of which must be met.

* Capability of selective fire
* Chambered for an intermediate powered cartridge, more than a pistol but less than a full-powered rifle cartridge. Examples include the 5.56 NATO and 7.62x39 mm.
* Fed from a detachable box magazine
* Effective range of at least 300 meters (330 yards)

Firearms that fail to meet all of the above characteristics are, by technical definition, not assault rifles in any sense of the word. There are numerous examples of rifles that are commonly mistaken to be assault rifles, but are not.

* The Colt AR-15, despite the insistence of politicians, is not an assault rifle. It lacks the capability for fully automatic fire.
* The M2 carbine, a select-fire rifle, has a range of only 270 meters, or 300 yards. Its effective range being less than 300m or 330 yds means that it fails to qualify as an assault rifle.
* Select-fire rifles chambered for full-powered rifle cartridges such as the M14 are not assault rifles; they are battle rifles.

## Ownership

In most countries, assault rifles are restricted to military and law enforcement agencies. Most countries heavily restrict or outright the prohibit the possession and acquisition of assault rifles or other fully automatic firearms by the general public.

### United States

The 1934 National Firearms Act restricts the sale and possession of fully automatic firearms as Class III firearms. Those who wish to acquire assault rifles legally must pay a $200 tax stamp to the BATF and pass a background check. While the process is straightforward, the ATF typically takes 6-12 months to process applications. All fully automatic firearms (including assault rifles) that have been manufactured after May 19, 1986 are illegal to possess for most people; assault rifles that were registered before that date are grandfathered and may be transferred.

Several states outright ban the possession of fully automatic firearms. Costs for fully automatic firearms typically are over $10,000 as the supply is much more limited compared to the demand.

### Canada

With the passage of Bill C-51 in 1977, all fully automatic firearms are prohibited. Those who legally owned and registered fully automatic firearms (including assault rifles) on or before January 1, 1978 are grandfathered and may continue to possess and acquire such firearms. The prices of such firearms are quite low, as only those who registered fully automatic firearms before 1978 are legally permitted to continue owning them; the number of owners is dwindling overtime.

### Switzerland

While fully automatic firearms are technically classified as Forbidden Weapons, they may be purchased and owned with an exemption permit. The availability of such permits differs by canton, but the permit is essentially no different than a purchase permit for regular firearms, and the approval time is generally 1-2 weeks. As such, it is common for private citizens in Switzerland to own select-fire assault rifles. Active duty soldiers have the option of keeping their service rifles (SG 550 rifles) at home.