We're beating the crap out of the word 'assault' when used in the phrase 'assault rifle' specifically.
There's no such animal as an 'assault rifle' and there's no such thing as a rifle that's not used for assaults.
People are ignorant. They just don't understand. I get that. Let me help, in the hope that someone who needs to read this actually reads this.
When you think 'assault rifle' you are likely thinking of movies and TV. Black, ugly-looking weapons spitting out bullets. Synonymous with 'machine gun'.
Automatic weapons (the kind that shoot lots of bullets by holding down the trigger) have been illegal to citizens in the US since the early 20th century. If that's what you think of when you think 'assault rifle' you're already off in the weeds and making fools of yourselves when you discuss this issue.
What we have in the US are semi-automatic rifles. You pull the trigger and one bullet comes out.
Now, you'll notice I used a blanket statement there: rifles. Not assault rifles, hunting rifles, etc. Rifles are rifles. If the rifle is made with black metal and plastic, has a pistol grip, and some fancy collapsing stock, that does not make it more dangerous, or specifically designed for killing humans. It makes it lighter, gives it a certain look, and makes it more durable for some uses.
If a rifle has a traditional stock, a traditional grip, and is made of wood...you can absolutely murder the crap out of someone with it. That 'hunting' rifle can kill a human just as efficiently as an 'assault' model.
Guns are guns. They are designed to put holes in things. Living things, in general. They are weapons.
Demonizing specific rifles because of how they look is just completely silly. There is no such thing as an assault rifle ban, because there's no such thing as an assault rifle, outside of the nonsense definition concocted by liberal politicians.
You can say you're against all guns, or none. You really don't have a logical leg to stand on beyond that. I know that annoying old constitution gets in your way and all, but if you think disarming people is a solution, go ahead and try. The guys in Boston used pressure cookers. Evil people will always find a way to accomplish what evil they wish to perform. Always. Nature of the beast.
Just please, stop saying it's the fault of 'assault rifles'. Hell, please stop using the term, because it's a plainly stupid, ignorant thing to say.
