Assault Rifle - this isn't a real term...right?

I'm not trying to be argumentative but some of this information isn't correct. I have owned an Springfield M4A1 and it was NOT fully automatic just as my friends M4A1& AK-74s are. None of us every had to fill out a tax stamp form or under go the background check for fully automatic weapons. I'm confused.

As far as the media and most lay people are concerned, an "assault rifle" is any weapon that looks like a military firearm, to inlucde a removable magazine, adjustable/folding stock, pistol grip, flash supressor and bayonet lug. Oh yeah, it has to be black too.... ;o)

Your M4 pattern AR is not an assault rifle, by defintion, because it's not fully auto. Neither is is the AK. They fall into the category of semi-auto sporting rifles. The issue is the names "M4" and "AK" because those connotate the military version of the weapon. In fact, "M4" was approved as a trade name for a company's weapon, and avoided being sued by Colt for copyright infringement.

SSG Robert Mustain that would depend on which definition you use. The "generally accepted" definition of a "battle rifle" is a select fire rifle that uses a full powered rifle cartridge (7.62mm NATO, 7.62mmR, etc). By this definition, an AR15 is not a battle rifle. Rifles in this category are things like M14s, FN-FALs and G3s.