What is an "Assault Rifle"? Do we go by the official definition?
The translation assault rifle gradually became the common term for similar firearms sharing the same technical definition as the StG 44. In a strict definition, a firearm must have at least the following characteristics to be considered an assault rifle:[4][5][6]
- It must be an individual weapon with provision to fire from the shoulder (i.e. a buttstock);
- It must be capable of selective fire;
- It must have an intermediate-power cartridge: more power than a pistol but less than a standard rifle or battle rifle;
- Its ammunition must be supplied from a detachable magazine rather than a feed-belt.
- And it should at least have a firing range of 300 meters (1000 feet)
But it would appear that we don't want to use the official definition. Nope, most people will just tell me they know one when they see one. So let's look at this selection of firearms. Which ones do you call 'assault rifles'?

- AR 15 Civilian version of the M16. Semi-automatic rifle in .223 – restricted in Canada
- SVT 40 WWII semi-automatic rifle in 7.62x54R – non-restricted in Canada
- FN C1A1 (FAL) Canadian semi-automatic military rifle in 7.62 NATO - prohibited in Canada
- M1 carbine WWII full auto rifle in .30 cal – prohibited in Canada
- Keltec KSG Pump action shotgun. Not even a rifle! – non-restriced in Canada
- Barrett 99 50 Caliber bolt action rifle – non-restricted in Canada
- Garand WWII semi-automatic rifle in .308 – non-restricted in Canada
- SKS Semi-automatic rifle in 7.62x39 – non-restricted in Canada
- SKS same rifle as above but in nasty black plastic
- Rob Arms XCR – modern sporting rifle in .223 – non-restricted in Canada
None of these meet any definition of ‘assault rifle’ . Are the black or tan ones scarier than the
wooden ones? They shouldn’t be! Those rifles fire the smallest, lightest
round. If you said any of those guns was
an assault rifle I would love to know what criteria you used.
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