Is that an Assault Weapon?

Here are two common American Rifles.

Which is the Assault Weapon?

What's the difference in the two?





Click on the image of each rifle and you'll see descriptions of their features, type of ammunition they use, and a brief description of how they work.

In fact at each of the above sights you'll see a link for an exploded view that shows a drawing of all the parts and how they fit.

If you actually bother to go look at the sites for those two rifles you find that they are infact. the same rifle. The only difference is one has an American walnut wood stock, and the other has a plastic adjustable stock, they have the same sights, trigger, etc. The only difference is the handle. The exploded view for both rifles is exactly the same image.

The difference in the two is like the difference between an old VW Beetle, VW Thing, and VW Karmann Ghia. Except for the body they are all the same, same engine, same wheels, same steering, etc. All based on a little WWII car design.

The above two rifles the Ruger Ranch Rifle and the Ruger Mini-14 Tactical Rifle are both based on the same WWII rifle design, re-chambered for a smaller less expensive ammo the .223. This is the same cartridge used in an AR15. The ammo is inexpensive because billions of rounds are made to support various military weapons as well. The Ranch Rifle is a civilian semi-auto version of the M14 military rifle used the early part of the Vietnam war.

There been a mild media frenzy about a man carrying an "assault rifle" to a political rally in Phoenix AZ. The difference between the gun he carried, miss-labeled as an Assault Weapon, and the two above is very very slight. All use the exact same ammo. All fire exactly one shot every time you pull the trigger. All are used for sporting purposes, like target shooting, hunting varmints and small game, or home/ranch protection. The is a civilian semi-auto version of the M16 military rifle used the late part of the Vietnam war.

The gun in question is not an assault weapon. It has what some might consider "scary" looks, but then comparing a AR15 to an assault rifle is like comparing Karmann Ghia to a Porsche 911.

Don't let the alphabet media's fear of private citizens exercising their rights allow you to accept their misinformation nor demonizing of a simple sporting rifle based on 50 year old technology.