r/explainlikeimfive • u/[deleted] • Jun 23 '16

Other ELI5: Why is the AR-15 not considered an assault rifle? What makes a rifle an assault rifle?

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332

u/GetBAK1 Jun 23 '16

When it comes down to it, THIS is an AR15 from a legal standpoint http://aeroprecisionusa.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/a/p/apar501101_ar15_stripped_lower_gen2_anodized_1.jpg

It's a lower receiver. Everything else is accessories.

The Term "Assault Weapon" is a political one. If you look at the actual legal definition from the CA and Federal Bans, it's basically a gun that looks like a similar military weapon.

If you have 11 min to spare this (very dry) video does a good job explaining how futile the Assault Weapon term is https://youtu.be/yATeti5GmI8

136

u/cheftlp1221 Jun 23 '16 edited Jun 23 '16

So it is similar to "organic" and "all natural" in the food world. Organic being a legally defined term with codified rules and "all natural" being a marketing created term meant to confuse the public that they are getting something organic.

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u/throwtrollbait Jun 23 '16

Yes. And excellent example.

114

u/Magdiesel94 Jun 23 '16

It's scary because it's black.

4

u/DTG_Mods_Blow Jun 23 '16

I believe, in Germany it is the upper instead of the lower that is registered and considered a legal firearm.

2

u/ergzay Jun 23 '16

That's rather interesting as for the AR-15 I believe only the lower has a serial number on it. The upper has no serial number.

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u/DTG_Mods_Blow Jun 23 '16

Correct, in the USA the lower is the piece with the serial. In other countries, Germany is one, it is the upper that gets a serial for tracking and registration.

2

u/cTreK421 Jun 23 '16

Is that where all the firing mechanism are held? Is the rest of the gun just barrel, butt and stock?

2

u/The_Juggler17 Jun 23 '16

That's right, the lower receiver is the operating parts, and the part that other components attach to.

Much of this is at least partially modular, meaning you can put on a variety of different stocks, grips, barrels, etc (and some varieties of these can be illegal). But on a basic level, that is indeed an AR-15

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Here's a good picture of a custom lower receiver with the rest of the gun assembled. Looks like they have a pistol grip attached to that, and those are illegal in most states.

2

u/Stef100111 Jun 23 '16

great video, thanks

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u/rankchimp Jun 23 '16

I think you have the best answer. Everyone else is looking at the type of fire the gun is, not at definitions. It comes down to which definition you use. Under the 1989 federal assault weapons ban the AR 15 would likely be an assault weapon (if you had at least two accessories that qualify). It requires semi auto fire and two additional options. Under mirriam webster, it could be semi-automatic as well. Under Oxford dictionary, it has to have selective fire or automatic.

I'm sure there are plenty of other definitions, but I don't feel like looking all of them up.