I'll bet they are referring to semi-auto long guns, probably AR-15s, not fully automatic weapons. The left with a lot of help from the media has succeeded in instilling in peoples minds the idea there are only two classes of long guns: semi-auto/auto/assault rifles (bad and should be banned to civilians), and bolt action/pump guns (also bad let the hunters keep them). This is a tactic that the left is so good at. Pro abortion becomes pro choice; nationalism becomes xenophobia, and on and on.
The only way to combat this is if enough people complain to the reporter and the media outlet every single time they do it.
I think you're right.