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 legislationTemplate:Which?, any semi-automatic rifle is an assault weapon if it has a detachable magazine and has two or more of the following: a pistol grip, a folding or telescoping stock, a bayonet mount, a flash suppressor, or a grenade launcher.
• Compare assault rifle.