Gun policy analysis thread.

[Lloyd]

A representative sampling of the definitions of "assault rifle":

The NRA: By U.S. Army definition, a selective-fire rifle chambered for a cartridge of intermediate power. If applied to any semi-automatic firearm regardless of its cosmetic similarity to a true assault rifle, the term is incorrect.

Dictionary.com: noun
a military rifle capable of both automatic and semiautomatic fire, utilizing an intermediate-power cartridge.
a nonmilitary weapon modeled on the military assault rifle, usually modified to allow only semiautomatic fire.

Britannica: assault rifle, military firearm that is chambered for ammunition of reduced size or propellant charge and that has the capacity to switch between semiautomatic and fully automatic fire.

Merriam Webster: Definition of assault rifle: : any of various intermediate-range, magazine-fed military rifles (such as the AK-47) that can be set for automatic or semiautomatic fire
also : a rifle that resembles a military assault rifle but is designed to allow only semiautomatic fire

Wikipedia: An assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine.[1][2][3][4][5]

Thefreedictionary.com: assault rifle
n.
1. A rifle that has a detachable magazine and is capable of both automatic and semiautomatic fire, designed for individual use in combat.
2. An assault weapon having a rifled bore and a shoulder stock.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
assault rifle or assault weapon
n
(Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) chiefly US a semiautomatic firearm with additional features such as a large magazine, a bayonet fitting, etc
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
assault′ ri`fle
n.
1. a military rifle capable of both automatic and semiautomatic fire, utilizing an intermediate-power cartridge.
2. a nonmilitary weapon modeled on the military assault rifle, usu. modified to allow only semiautomatic fire.

An excellent demonstration of "definition" creep in aid of advocacy.
Thanks for the insight.

Language evolves.

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[dneal]

The key components of TSherbs' definitions are "select" or "selective" fire, and "automatic".

Select fire means you may use a mechanism to choose from safe, semi-automatic (one shot per pull of the trigger), and automatic (repeated firing with one pull of the trigger). There is also a burst function on modern versions, usually 3 shots per pull of the trigger.

"Assault Rifle" originates with the StG 44 - a rifle developed by the Germans during WWII. Intermediate cartridge and select fire. It's the design the AK47 was based on.

[Lloyd]

What's your take on the locking/safety devices that use biometric info (fingerprints)?

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[dneal]

What's your take on the locking/safety devices that use biometric info (fingerprints)?

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Not really feasible. Requires a reader, processor, solenoid switch and power source; and can be defeated or removed. Also doesn’t account for existing firearms.

[Lloyd]

What's your take on the locking/safety devices that use biometric info (fingerprints)?

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Not really feasible. Requires a reader, processor, solenoid switch and power source; and can be defeated or removed. Also doesn’t account for existing firearms.

Thanks.

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[kazoolaw]

Language evolves.

Or, in this case, devolves.

The NRA and Britannica definitions both include being capable of automatic fire [continuing to fire as long as the trigger is pulled] Wikipedia means the same ["selective fire"] though wording it differently.

Dictionary, Merriam Webster, and Collins wander off into "modeled on" or "resembles" which one gathers is in the eye of the beholder. s

American Heritage adds the features of a "large" magazine, or a bayonet fitting.

The Free Dictionary's definition is limited only by having a rifled bore and a shoulder stock. Last century I was taught you can't define a term ["assault rifle"] by including the term ["assault weapon"] in the definition. This definition would sweep in muzzle loaders with rifled barrels, and airguns.

The definitions expand or contract based upon which side of the debate you take. The broader the definition the more guns which would be banned.

[Lloyd]

Dictionaries don't define language; the language at a time and place define the dictionary.

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[kazoolaw]

Dictionaries don't define language; the language at a time and place define the dictionary.

Well, of course Lloyd. "Assault rifle" is an example of how people redefine terms to their political advantage. And an example of how some people don't pay attention enough to notice.

[TSherbs]

Change is a bitch.

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[Lloyd]

Gun Deaths Rose 30% Among U.S. Kids in a Decade

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/news...src=RSS_PUBLIC

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[TSherbs]

Gun Deaths Rose 30% Among U.S. Kids in a Decade

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/news...src=RSS_PUBLIC

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Yikes.

A very sobering report. Doesn't make easy access to guns in a home look very good.

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[Chuck Naill]

Gun Deaths Rose 30% Among U.S. Kids in a Decade

https://www.webmd.com/parenting/news...src=RSS_PUBLIC

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Yikes.

A very sobering report. Doesn't make easy access to guns in a home look very good.

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This is why "smart guns" are being considered.

[Lloyd]

To me, a smart gun is an oxymoron.
The huge rise in suicides implies to me that the big issue isn't assault rifles, it's society (in person and on line) induced issues (stress, insufficient support, whatever). Guns expedite suicide but, if one wants to commit suicide and hasn't a gun, one can.

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[Chuck Naill]

To me, a smart gun is an oxymoron.
The huge rise in suicides implies to me that the big issue isn't assault rifles, it's society (in person and on line) induced issues (stress, insufficient support, whatever). Guns expedite suicide but, if one wants to commit suicide and hasn't a gun, one can.

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The weapons of choice for criminals are stolen guns.

[Lloyd]

To me, a smart gun is an oxymoron.
The huge rise in suicides implies to me that the big issue isn't assault rifles, it's society (in person and on line) induced issues (stress, insufficient support, whatever). Guns expedite suicide but, if one wants to commit suicide and hasn't a gun, one can.

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The weapons of choice for criminals are stolen guns.

I was only commenting on the sharp rise in childhood gun related deaths.

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[TSherbs]

.... but, if one wants to commit suicide and hasn't a gun, one can.

What is your point in saying this? I'd rather hear you state your purpose rather than my trying to ascribe one. Then I will respond.



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[Lloyd]

.... but, if one wants to commit suicide and hasn't a gun, one can.

What is your point in saying this? I'd rather hear you state your purpose rather than my trying to ascribe one. Then I will respond.



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Sure. I'm very anti-guns for civilians BUT if all the political efforts are exerted at arguing about assault rifles, it'll delay action where it's more needed in my eyes. If religious people followed the golden rule toward ALL people, not just (some subset of) members of their own faith and those that they can benefit from, the hatreds that lead to bullying, racism, and the huge financial divide would be reduced.
I'm singling out "religious"only because the Golden Rule is at the heart of all of the main faiths.

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[TSherbs]

.... but, if one wants to commit suicide and hasn't a gun, one can.

What is your point in saying this? I'd rather hear you state your purpose rather than my trying to ascribe one. Then I will respond.



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Sure. I'm very anti-guns for civilians BUT if all the political efforts are exerted at arguing about assault rifles, it'll delay action where it's more needed in my eyes. If religious people followed the golden rule toward ALL people, not just (some subset of) members of their own faith and those that they can benefit from, the hatreds that lead to bullying, racism, and the huge financial divide would be reduced.
I'm singling out "religious"only because the Golden Rule is at the heart of all of the main faiths.

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What? I quoted the part about suicide by other means. Why did you close with that? How do other means matter, 8n your thinking?

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[Lloyd]

If the big concern is the escalation of youth gun related deaths, which the article states is heavily influenced by the sharp rise in youth suicides, I don't feel this much hubbub about guns is warranted, nor beneficial, at this time.

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[TSherbs]

If the big concern is the escalation of youth gun related deaths, which the article states is heavily influenced by the sharp rise in youth suicides, I don't feel this much hubbub about guns is warranted, nor beneficial, at this time.

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Do you have any idea about youth suicide and the importance of avoiding impulsive opportunities for self harm with high lethality? The point is to narrow the opportunities for easy access to the most lethal tools for self harm in the houses of depressed or suicidal children. The longer the time between the severe depressive episode and the lesser lethality of method both increase child survival, which is the ultimate goal. Many children survive other suicidal methods and/or change their minds before, during, or after attempts. The means of suicide are not viewed by experts as equal. This is why, likely, the study found the correlation between lax state gun access rules in homes and the greatest gun death increases.

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