[SkyPilot]

An "Assault" weapon is one capable of automatic fire, not one that looks scary to journalists who wet their pants.

The media have been playing this game for 25 years now.

[El Gato]

An "Assault" weapon is one capable of automatic fire,

An assault rifle is an intermediate caliber select fire rifle or carbine. A battle rifle is a select fire full power rifle.

An assault weapon, is whatever sort of gun, including pistols and shotguns, they want to ban.. this year. Current definition includes semiautomatic, with "anything which can function as a grip, + removable magazine or fixed magazine with >10 rounds capacity. Next year the details will differ. Although they may change tactics and go after "sniper rifles", once they get the semi-automatics.