assault weapon

assault weapon (plural assault weapons)

1. (US) Any select-fire firearm that allows semi-automatic and fully automatic operation, and is used or was once used by a military organization.
2. (US) A semi-automatic firearm that resembles a military weapon.
   1. (New York State) A semi-automatic weapon that has a folding stock, a muzzle flash suppressor, a bayonet mount, or a pistol grip.

• (semi-automatic firearm that resembles a military weapon): This term is considered pejorative by some. It is used primarily in the context of discussions of gun-control policy.
• There is no universally accepted definition of an assault weapon, and the meaning varies between jurisdictions. However, according to defunct United States federal legislation, any semi-automatic rifle is an assault weapon if it has a detachable magazine and has two or more of the following: pistol grip, folding or telescoping stock, bayonet mount, flash suppressor, grenade launcher.
• Compare assault rifle.