>>>Can you please explain the distinction between assault weapon and semi automatic rifle? This is a sincere question from the uninitiated. To me they look a lot alike and seem to have the same characteristics.
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>>In loosest terms, an 'assault weapon' is a term applied to a subset of weapons that can or are fired in a 'fully automatic' mode. This means that when you press the trigger the weapon continues to fire until you either release the trigger, or you run out of ammunition.
>>'Ripping a clip' is one of the most inaccurate methods of firing such a weapon. For assault rifles, think AK-47 or the M-16.
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>>It can also be fired (in automatic mode) in 3 round bursts. This means when you hit the trigger, 3 rounds are going downrange. This is the 'preferred' method of automatic fire.
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>>Semi-automatic weapons require a trigger pull (only) for each round down range, having recocked itself using the escaping gasses to work the mechanism. Revolovers are not semi-automatic.
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>>The weapon used for this latest shooting was a semi-automatic, not an assault.
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>Got it. Thank you.
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>I am definitely not going to invade your house ;-)

The .45 is very loud when a round is chambered. I've often said that it would be the sure sign of intelligence if anyone ever broke in. They'd hear 'Cha-CHACK!' followed by my voice, giving them the option to leave the way they came in, 'cuz they REALY wouldn't like the next sound they would hear.