Virginia Governor's Bill To Ban Assault Weapons Fails, With Help From His Own Party

Despite all the noise, the Force was not strong with Northam (this time). He and the Dems bide their time and hope all is not lost from their agenda. I'd like to think that they burned up all their karma in last November's election.

Still waiting.
_What is the definition of an assault weapon (firearm)?
_What characteristics make it an assault weapon?
_How do those characteristics contribute to the lethality of the "assault weapon" in mass shooting scenarios?
_What standards of lethality are acceptable? (rate of fire, magazine capacity, time to exchange magazine, accessories, etc.)
_What is the difference in lethality of assault weapons versus "safe" sporting and personal defense firearms?

Thanks brother Robert.