# No, you don't need a semiautomatic rifle **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 11, 2021, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705 "2021-02-11T17:51:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/121 "2021-02-12T19:11:17Z")
> [@Brayne\_Ded](#): > > I am not a hunter, but from what I have heard, the only (non-human) animal that requires a semiautromatic weapon to be used on it is wild boar. S Wild boar and especially feral pigs are a major environmental issue in some areas. And yes, a semi-auto would be nice to have against them and bear, since a quick second or even third shot may be needed to keep yourself from being killed. But there is also the reduced recoil issue. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/122 "2021-02-12T19:11:22Z")
> [@Brayne\_Ded](#): > > I get very tired of Murricans saying that the AR-15 is not an assault rifle. It is a detuned version of the military weapon, but by changing a few parts it can be made the same. There is also (or was) the restriction on magazine size. A. Not an American. B. If you don’t want to use the generally accepted definition of a term, then I’m afraid there is little point in discussion with you. You’re adopting the Humpty-Dumpty lexicographical technique: “When I use a word,” Humpty-Dumpty said, “it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.” ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/123 "2021-02-12T19:13:28Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > There is nowhere that’s open to anyone to come and shoot free-for-all at anything; to have a gun for hunting, you have to have the landowner’s written permission. There is also a very limited selection of game. No bear, no cougar, no moose, no elk, and afaik no wild boar. Rabbits, foxes, feral mink and deer. A shotgun is fine for all of those, hell even a rimfire will take all but one. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/124 "2021-02-12T19:14:00Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > This is pure fantasy, and I’ll note we didn’t see any gun owners stand against tyranny when a mob descended on the capitol. > **[Gun laws in the District of Columbia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_the_District_of_Columbia)** > > Gun laws in the District of Columbia regulate the sale, possession, and use of firearms and ammunition in Washington, D.C. > > A license to carry a handgun is required to legally carry a concealed handgun in the District of Columbia. Licenses are issued to qualified applicants on a "shall issue" basis by the Metropolitan Police Department. Licenses are granted to residents and non-residents. Concealed carry licenses issued by other jurisdictions are not valid in D.C. A license to carry is r... Considering it would have been illegal for them to do so this is a pretty dumb argument. Now when the state house in wyoming is stormed and everyone sits around laughing you’ll have a good point. Though I certainly don’t choose my firearms for the purpose of fighting against or for the government so I’m probably not the best judge here. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/125 "2021-02-12T19:15:58Z")
> [@Brayne\_Ded](#): > > Why is this detuned assault rifle so popular among the civilian populace? Why were so many of the {term of your choice for the armed fellas that stormed the capitol on January 6th} carrying AR-15s or close equivalents thereof? Were they? I’ve not seen video showing AR-15s at all at the Capitol. Lots of club-like things, pipes, hockey sticks, flagpoles, but I’ve not seen any pix of anyone with AR-15. Can you provide them, please? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/126 "2021-02-12T19:19:42Z")
> [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > I do have a question - why is the recoil less with a semi-automatic, and could that same technology be used with a bolt-action rifle? The recoil is used to recock the gun. That is very simplistic. > [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > When there’s 30 targets in a small area, then shoot-reload-cock-shoot is inefficient. Now the question is - how often are you in a situation where there are 30 targets in a small area? Rarely. We were asked to control ground squirrels , which were infect with the Black Plague. Yeah, there were _many_ targets in a small area. Not 30, but you dont always hit. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/127 "2021-02-12T19:22:35Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > I don’t know, but I would speculate that long-guns tend to be used more frequently in mass shootings. They are more accurate and can be fired at longer range, such as the Las Vegas shootings. It depends heavily on how you define a “mass shooting”. By some metrics, pistols are used far more often. But yeah, the LV guy racked up a very high count, possible only with a rifle. Mind you , he also used a bump stock, which are now totally illegal. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/128 "2021-02-12T19:25:07Z")
> [@Brayne\_Ded](#): > > I mean assault rifles such as the AR-15. But, again, is there a real need for semiautomatic weapons for hunting or defense against animals? …And would an AR-15 or similar be much good against a bear? In my layman’s opinion, a bigger cartridge would be better. I have answered the hunting issue, yes, they can be necessary. Not so much, but sure, if you pump 30 rounds into a Brown bear, he will be pretty dead, likely more dead than five from a 30/30 or 30.06. In general, if I was HUNTING brown bears, I’d want a five round semi-auto rifle in at least .300 magnum. ---
**Author:** ![MrMrmrmr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrmrmrmr/32/5828_2.png) [@MrMrmrmr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrMrmrmr)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/129 "2021-02-12T19:27:15Z")
How do I compete in high power rifle matches without one? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/130 "2021-02-12T19:34:49Z")
> [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > You have to register your car; you need a drivers license to drive. Why can’t your guns be registered? Why can’t you be required to have a license? There are legitimate reasons to have guns - both handguns and rifles. “Fun” is a legitimate reason. Why do we have to waive the 5-day waiting period for gun shows? Ok, at the point of sale, from a gun dealer, guns are registered. Next, you dont have to register you car if you dont take it out on public highways. In general, in order to carry a CCW in public, you have to register that weapon. ianal. ymmv. We dont waive the waiting period for gun shows. Most gun show sales are by FFL dealers on their tables, where all sales and iDs are checked and recorded. But a very few sales are from customers walking around, selling a gun or two. Those are _private sales_ and they dont have to be recorded like sales from a FFL dealer do (in some states, some states require all sales to be thru a FFL, etc). This is the so called “gun show loophole” another phrase written by ignorant non gun owners, as of course the fact it is at a gun show has nothing to do with it. It’s a _private sale_ from a non-dealer, and those could be anywhere. In general, I am in favor of banning _private sales_ _with some exceptions-_ to a family member, and from a estate. I know of a police widow who had to sell her husbands guns to a gunstore, thus losing 50% of the price. That’s not right. Sadly California doesnt have those very reasonable exceptions. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/131 "2021-02-12T19:37:51Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > In a democracy, we also have control over the policies we want to see enacted. In _this_ democracy, the rule of the populace is limited by the Constitution. Otherwise, the vast majority of Christians would have something to say about allowing other religions. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/132 "2021-02-12T19:37:53Z")
> [@MrMrmrmr](#): > > How do I compete in high power rifle matches without one? Harsh language. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/133 "2021-02-12T19:42:49Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > The real question you want to ask is me having fun worth 500 deaths a year? [I](https://uscgboating.org/statistics/accident_statistics.php) [say](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1979/02/03/55-mph-saves-lives/8ad4f24d-9bd9-4c78-a9da-054358366f71/) [absolutly](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newsweek.com/lawnmowers-kill-more-people-bears-sharks-alligators-each-year-1529280%3famp=1). I’ll make you a deal, you guarantee that your “fun” is only a risk to you and your family, and is absolutely positively not going to kill anyone but you and your family, buy as many guns as you want. Decorate your whole place with them for all I care. Because, I don’t care if you kill yourself with your toys. Sure, I’d feel bad if your toddler killed himself because you left a loaded gun where he could get it, but that’s as far as it goes… My lawnmower isn’t going to kill my neighbor, and his isn’t going to kill me. I will never read a story about someone killing 20 people with a lawnmower. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/134 "2021-02-12T19:46:41Z")
> [@MrMrmrmr](#): > > How do I compete in high power rifle matches without one? Oh dear, are you not going to get to play with your friends? That’s so sad. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/135 "2021-02-12T19:47:09Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Maybe Trudeau saw this study in JAMA: 2x a negligible risk does not make a sound basis for public fears or policy. The cases against hand guns or firearms in general are far stronger, but not for reasons having to do with active shooter incidents. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/136 "2021-02-12T20:06:16Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Why do you assume that all semiautomatic rifles are military weapons? Why do you assume anyone assumes that? Even in the US the vast majority of gun owners don’t own military weapons. What they do own is knockoffs that fire once every time the trigger is pulled. Even the Ruger Mini cited above was not created out of thin air. You can trace it’s lineage back to military designs. It works just the same as a knockoff M4 but it doesn’t have the “glamour” of looking like a battle rifle. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/137 "2021-02-12T20:13:25Z")
**Modhat** : Please address the post and not the poster. Teasing/insulting the poster is not allowed. Do not do this again. _This is just a guidance, not a warning. Nothing on your permanent record._ ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/138 "2021-02-12T20:18:06Z")
Also, pretty much, every gun used in the world can trace it linage to a military version. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/139 "2021-02-12T20:18:33Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Being it’s a free country, it’s not the government’s business _why_ I have these weapons. I don’t need to justify it to anyone. But FTR, they will definitely come in handy in a true SHTF scenario, where the Federal Constitution is suspended and lawless & mayhem are rampant. Aren’t you the guy that was playing militia with all your unemployed, government leaching friends, when your rifle misfired and your solution was to force another round in the chamber and fire it so it exploded in your face? And wasn’t your takeaway from that incident that you should wear safety glasses rather than learn how to properly use weapons? Don’t you also have multiple loaded rifles laying around your house unsecured even though you have children who occasionally have friends over? If I have you confused with someone else, I will apologize but as it stands you shouldn’t have a weapon of any kind, best or worst. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2021, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705/140 "2021-02-12T20:39:09Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Here’s the web-page for the Ruger Mini, which is popular with farmers and ranchers. It’s a semi-auto. Would you say it’s a military weapon? To me, it just looks like hunting rifle If it looks just like a hunting rifle to you, why are they illegal in Canada? Hint: it’s not the semi auto action, it’s the 20,30 round magazines. I don’t think most people have an objection to a 5 round magazine, especially if it is internal rather than box. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-you-dont-need-a-semiautomatic-rifle/932705.md?page=8)