Gun Control Reform Activism

...is that they put together a number of common features in a package optimized for close-in combat. Small caliber ammunition and fairly low muzzle velocity allows a shooter to carry a lot of rounds and to maintain control of the gun while firing rapidly using the semi-automatic feature. Supposedly, those smaller bullets are as lethal (if not more so) in close-in shooting as larger caliber, higher velocity bullets.

High capacity clips add to the lethality. As far as I know, most of the other features that define the assault-style weapons are just frou-frou stuff that have all the functionality of a G.I. Joe decal.

The other thing about assault weapons is that they are styled and marketed to appeal to people with unhealthy fantasies of wreaking havoc on other humans.

I wish we could write a law that would stick to ban these weapons, but it's a daunting legal challenge.