Assault Rifle vs. Sporting Rifle

Published on December 30, 2012
Duration: 6:57

This expert-level analysis from Military Arms Channel clarifies the distinction between modern sporting rifles (like the AR-15) and true military assault rifles. The key difference is the ability to fire fully automatic, a feature banned for civilian ownership since 1986 under the Hughes Amendment. The video debunks common misconceptions about features defining assault rifles and demonstrates the minimal practical impact of proposed magazine capacity bans.

Quick Summary

The primary difference between an assault rifle and a modern sporting rifle is the ability to fire fully automatic. True assault rifles, capable of full-auto fire, were banned for civilian sale in 1986. Features like pistol grips or collapsible stocks do not define an assault rifle; its selective-fire capability does.

Chapters

  1. 00:10Introduction: Assault Rifles vs. Sporting Rifles
  2. 00:30Hughes Amendment & AR-15: The Ban of 1986
  3. 00:51Defining a Sporting Rifle: Features vs. Function
  4. 01:13AR-15 Semi-Automatic Fire Explained
  5. 02:00True Assault Rifle Demo: Full-Automatic Fire
  6. 02:50Assault Rifle Legality & NFA Registration
  7. 03:12Feinstein's Proposed Ban & Tax
  8. 03:42Magazine Capacity Ban Critique
  9. 04:30Magazine Reload Speed Test Setup
  10. 05:05Full Capacity Magazine Test Results
  11. 05:45Limited Capacity Magazine Test Results
  12. 06:10Conclusion & Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary difference between an assault rifle and a modern sporting rifle?

The key functional difference is the ability to fire fully automatic. A true assault rifle can fire multiple rounds with a single trigger pull, whereas a modern sporting rifle, like the AR-15, fires only one round per trigger pull (semi-automatic).

Were assault rifles banned in the US?

Yes, true assault rifles capable of full-automatic fire were banned from civilian sale in 1986 by the Hughes Amendment. Any assault rifles owned prior to this ban are grandfathered in and are registered NFA items.

Do features like pistol grips or collapsible stocks define an assault rifle?

No, according to firearms experts, features like pistol grips, collapsible stocks, and black plastic furniture do not legally or functionally define an assault rifle. The defining characteristic is its selective-fire capability (semi-automatic and full-automatic).

What is the practical impact of a ban on magazines over 10 rounds?

A ban on magazines over 10 rounds would have minimal practical impact. A timed test showed only a half-second difference in engaging targets compared to using two 10-round magazines with a reload. Millions of high-capacity magazines are already in circulation.

Related News

All News →

More 2nd Amendment & Law Videos You Might Like

More from Military Arms Channel

View all →