User:Callie Bigrigg/Editing Semi-automatic rifle

Modern Gun Violence and Semi-Automatic rifles
Modern semi-automatic rifles are commonly mistaken for Assault Rifles; assault rifles, per political definition, have fully automatic firing capabilities and high capacity magazines. Semi-automatic rifles, while they may look similar to fully automatic rifles, are not the same, and automatic rifles are already illegal in the United states to civilians. One of the most popular semi-automatic rifles in the United States is the AR-15[1]. The “A-R” stands for Armalite Rifle, not assault rifle or automatic rifle, and is commonly mistaken for and identified as an assault rifle. Assault rifles are defined as “a rapid-fire, magazine-fed automatic rifle designed for infantry use” per the Oxford dictionary. While some variations of semi-automatic weapons have superficial features which in some cases resemble an assault rifle, they are not one in the same, and are already illegal for civilian use in the United States[2]. Assault rifles, or machine guns, have been illegal to manufacture for the public 1986, therefore, are only available for purchase used, and take an enormous amount of time and money to obtain[3]. The vast differences between fully automatic and semi-automatic rifles may be large, however that does not stop the falsely spread facts about semi-automatic rifles. The AR-15 is in the heat of debate, however, there are over 160 different types of semi-automatic rifles available to the public, and one of the biggest distinguishing factors between these and assault rifles is their outward appearance. Typically, when showed two rifles, similar in velocity, rate of fire, magazine capacity, ammunition, firing capabilities, and range, but with different exterior styles, the black versus the wooden one, the black semi-automatic rifle is chosen to be considered the assault rifle, nearly every time, and the wooden semi-automatic rifle, is thought to be the less invasive, hunting rifle rather than a killing rifle, like the semi-automatic rifles that are black or metal. Semi-automatic rifles may have a bad reputation, mostly due to their misused names and aggressive appearance, they only make up less than 5% of homicides in the United States; this includes both semi-automatic rifles as well as standard rifles, making the homicide rate of semi-automatic rifles lower than 5%. Since 1999, there have been a total of 115 mass shooting defined by the media as, a shooting taking place in a public place where four or more people, not including the shooter, were killed by a gun[4]. Of the 115 mass shootings from 1999 to September 2019, semi-automatic rifles were only used in 32 of them. Studies do suggest however, that when semi-automatic rifles are used, particularly in a mass shooting, the number of casualties in a single incident does tend to increase. The 2017 Las Vegas shooting for instance, which is the deadliest mass shooting in America to date, was largely carried out by semi- automatic rifles[5].

Civilian uses for Semi-automatic rifles.
Semi-automatic rifles have been available for civilian use in America since the early 1900’s, and have grown in popularity since then. Semi-automatic rifles are most commonly used in civilian America for sport shooting, hunting, and self-defense. Shooting at targets to improve accuracy began before guns, and started with bows and arrows. While target shooting was first introduced as practice, typically to soldiers and warriors, with bows and arrows before the invention of guns, it later evolved into sports such as target shooting, sport shooting and marksmanship. Target shooting, or practicing, progressed with the introduction of guns into society in the 1700's, primarily due to the lack of aim in war, such as the Civil War, and has evolved into sports of all kinds. Today, semi- automatic rifles, are one of the more popularly used weapons in sport shooting. There are many different types of shooting for competition ranging from rapid fire shooting, target shooting, which is accuracy based, and distance shooting. Shooting clubs in America came about in the 1830's [6], and have since grown in popularity. Semi-automatic rifles are commonly used in some sport shooting events because of their accuracy, versatility, and their lightweight, which opens the doors for more people, such as women, to compete as well. Semi-automatic rifles are also growing in status among hunters. Many hunters are turning towards semi-automatic rifles to take on their hunting trips because of their features; these include compactness, which makes it easier to climb through rugged terrain in a safer matter, The semi-automatic feature which gives hunters the ability to stay in a shooting position after firing, versus having to reload after every shot allowing for a swifter kill, and less of chance for an injured animal to get away[7]. Semi-automatic weapons also have increased the distance they can shoot, without giving up accuracy or power, again ideal for huntsmen. These features have been ground breaking in the sport of hunting. Lastly, semi-automatic rifles are ideal for self-defense. Most semi-automatic rifles are light weight and easy to shoot, without giving up accuracy. Some styles of semi-automatic rifles are more intimidating in appearance to a potential threat, which lowers a person’s chance of actually having to fire their weapon in the event of a home invasion or any other threat that would require some form of self defense. Most semi-automatic rifles also have the ability for their range to be adjusted while keeping the power the same, allowing the owner to keep their weapon at a closer range while in their home, which, in the event the weapon was fired, the bullet would not travel as far, making for a lesser chance of an accident. This keeps their accuracy up and the possibility of shooting outside the target lower. Most semi-automatic rifles can be used for all three of these uses, and are therefore ideal for Americans because of their versatility. The more versatile the weapon is, the more comfortable an owner can become with their weapon, which lessens the probability of accidents[8].