How would you define the AK-47? How would you define an "assault weapon"?

You mean there are different definitions for an AK-47, for an assault weapon?

Fact Sheet On AK-47 Assault Rifles in Wake of Shooting at McDonogh High School in New Orleans, Louisiana

On Monday, April 14, 2003, according to numerous press reports, an AK-47 assault rifle was used in a deadly shooting at John McDonogh High School in New Orleans, LA. One male student was killed and three female students were injured in a spray of more than 30 bullets. The AK-47 was one of the assault weapons banned by Congress by name in 1994. However, the AK-47 is still available in both pre- and post-ban configurations. (Slight cosmetic modifications take such post-ban guns out of the federal definition of "assault weapon.") Below are examples of pre- and post-ban AK-47s and other examples of shootings involving AK-47s.


Assault Weapon - semi-automatic version of a military assault rifle.

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There has never been an AK-47. The original was called simply AK, then there was AKS, AKM, AKMS, AK-74 and quite a few others. They differ in features and caliber. So, there indeed can be different definitions of "AK-47".

OK, I can accept that as your personal definition.

Now, can you tell me what makes this neutered version of a military gun more dangerous than another gun? Is it the caliber? The military heritage? What would you consider a "safe" gun?

Now we're getting somewhere.
How do you define "military assault rifle"? An assault rifle that is currently in use by American military, or any military? Or any assault rifle ever used by any military?
How do you define "semi-automatic version of"? By what specification--cosmetic similarities, functional operation, manufacturer, etc?
How many of these characteristics must a semi-automatic rifle share with a "military assault rifle" to be deemed a "semi-automatic version of"?

Yes, there are many definitions. For example, here is the text of the "Assault Rifle" law in California:

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/awguide.pdf Page 71

Generic Characteristics Defining Assault Weapons:
12276.1 (a) Notwithstanding Penal Code section 12276, “assault weapon” shall also mean the following:
Rifles
(1) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of
the following:
(A) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
(B) A thumbhole stock.
(C) A folding or telescoping stock.
(D) A grenade launcher or flare launcher.
(E) A flash suppressor.
(F) A forward pistol grip.
(2) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10
rounds.
(3) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches.
Note: Bayonets and bayonet lugs are not assault weapon characteristics under California law.

And notice the last sentence. Until fairly recently, a bayonet lug would identify a rifle as an "Assault Rifle". And the phrase "centerfire" is also new, the original law did not have this qualifier.

And yes, I got caught under this law. I had a Ruger 10-22. This is a rimfire .22 caliber rifle, and I used it for target practice. I did a few conversions, including mounting it in an M-16 style stock (to more closely simulate my professional weapon), and added a flash supressor (so when I fired in the prone position, I did not kick up dirt into my face).

But the thing is, every item listed on the abocve list is cosmetic. Not a single "modification" makes a rifle more deadly, more accurate, or able to fire faster. Some are already patently illegal under Federal laws (grenade launchers!). And others make no sense, like flash supressors and thumbhole stocks.

The attempt of these laws is to target the appearance of a weapon. Under the law, a WWII era M-1 is an "Assault Rifle", because it has a flash supressor.

And your case earlier of Carail Weeks is a red herring. The man was trying to murder 2 drug dealers when he shot the girl.

Hey, that's my world!

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his lack thereof.
109:8!

The assault rifle thing was purposely invented to mislead people into banning more and more guns.
It's so the elites can implement communism.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his lack thereof.
109:8!

You mean assault weapon thing.

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"Property is the fruit of labor...property is desirable...is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another; but let him labor diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built."

Yeah right.
There are quotes by the gun grabber lobby that admit that they invented the term to mislead people.
They are lying communists!

__________________
From each according to his ability, to each according to his lack thereof.
109:8!

You are preaching to the choir here brother.

__________________
"Property is the fruit of labor...property is desirable...is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another; but let him labor diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built."