Assault Weapons

What are Assault Weapons?

Assault Weapons are handy weapons that expel fire whether automatically or semi automatically depending on the placement of the selector. Norms pertaining to assault weapons are formulated and established by National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934. The rules related to the assault weapons are further restricted by the laws governing different states in United States of America.

Assault weapons are used in assault operations to destroy standing bastioned buildings. Latest exemplars of assault weapons include SRAW and SMAW. Flame throwers, APOBS and Bangalore torpedoes are a few of the traditional examples of assault weapons.

According to the Federal Assault Weapons Ban Act of 1994, the crucial characteristic features of the US originating M16 and M4 rifles are considered to be the features that identify assault weapons.

Common Misconceptions Surrounding Assault Weapons

Assault weapons are often confused with machine guns and assault rifles. A machine gun is a fully automatic weapon that can emit large amounts of fire intermittently as bursts or continuously at a stretch. Machine guns are more like assault rifles, whereas assault weapons do not have the capability to eject such large volumes of fire. However, in reality, assault weapons are considered to be more powerful and lethal when compared to semi automatic weapons.

Assault Weapons – A Boon or a Bane?

Assault weapons have often proved to be the root cause of suicides, homicides among the police personnel and mass murders in the USA. Even when the operator fires continuously, the operator would be be to keep control of the assault weapons. This makes it even more dangerous and lethal. Civilians handling assault weapons often prove to be dangerous. Accidents and unintentional shootings using assault weapons often end up in the death of innocent civilians. Usage of assault weapons among civilians is not encouraged for the intensity of danger it poses.

However, from the other perspective, the assault weapons prove to be a boon in case of self defense and security point of view. Though the physical appearance of assault weapons is deadly, dangerous and fierce, the small calibers and the amount of ammunition they make use of are very less.

Assault weapons cannot be converted to fully automatic weapons without extensive technical expertise and knowledge in design and manufacture of weapons.

The Assault Weapons Ban of 1994

The ban on the usage of assault weapons came into force in USA in 1994. This drastically reduced the mass killings within the US. However, the ban has expired in 2004.

As such there is a dire need for the renewal of the same. The renewal would in turn definitely bring down the intentional mass murders among civilians. With the mushrooming of gun manufacturers across the globe, the renewal of the ban would also increase public safety and control the manufacture of illegitimate assault weapons across the globe.