No doubt you have read the responses which hearkened back to the Founding Fathers intent that all free Americans constituted the "militia", and should be armed because a "free state" is always in jeopardy of attack or subversion by evil men.
Here is a simplistic quote which illustrates a crucial principle: "In a man-to-man fight, the winner is he who has one more round in his magazine - Erwin Rommel
Here are a few more reasons:
"Assault weapons" is a purposely scary misnomer co-opted by The Left to lump in almost any firearm capable of firing semi-automatic, and even some which are not semi-auto, which are capable of using a large capacity magazine (the definition of "large" being in the eyes of the beholder).
Semi-auto firearms are not new. They were invented and in use worldwide not long after our Civil War. Large capacity magazines existed even during the Civil War, although they were tubular in nature. Semi-auto (and full auto) weapons were widely used prior to WWI. For example, the venerable US M1 Carbine was invented just before WWII, and commonly carries a 15 or 30 round magazine. These have been freely bought and sold on the American civilian market for well over half a century and there are a lot of them around. How many of these have been used in "mass murder", even after 60+ years in the street? I personally know somebody who has just such a fine weapon and it is exactly 70 years old. Really, one is talking about essentially antique weapons being lumped in with the hundreds of other variations on the theme Frau Gauleiter Feinswein et. al. the Fascist crowd want to "register" ( which really means eventually ban) and regulate/tax by the central government.
Secondly, there is a reason police and the military long ago went to high capacity magazines and semi-auto (and full auto) weapons, both long and short. They are much more effective under many tactical situations than a single shot, a repeater rifle, or a .38 revolver. In short, they can more readily save the life of the user and win the tactical situation. Such weapons are especially effective when one finds oneself outnumbered or in a disadvantageous situation.
"One shot" very seldom means "one kill". (If that were the case, neither the Taliban nor the US Army would exist any more) The ability to employ directed firepower in sufficient quantities and stopping power when one is trying to kill you is very important. Single shot Springfield trap doors, lever action Henry rifles, and .38 Special revolvers are no longer used by the "professionals" for serious situations of life or death. Technology and the enemy has moved on. Why shouldn't "we" have the sane advantage? That was the intent of our Founding Fathers. Standing armies or potentates or even organized criminals are seldom effectively deterred by the threat of muzzle loaders any more! Neither are laws prohibiting the possession or use of modern firepower.
It is very important as a "civilian" (and becoming more important) that as the criminal element increase their own firepower and numbers that we can as well. How much firepower exists in the hands of the ubiquitous drug gangs, drug cartels, Crips, Bloods, Mexican Mafia, or thousands of other organized criminal groups in this country? I'll answer that... a lot!
Such groups also have the advantage (in the "civilian" world) of choosing the time, place, and method to take criminal action against the innocent or unsuspecting. Therefore, even a properly armed civilian is almost always at an initial disadvantage at the start of a serious criminal act because they are not the aggressor. But they most likely are surprised, usually outnumbered, and sometimes outgunned.
Here are some examples where a lot of available firepower by an honest citizen might be needed, and needed fast...
How about home invasions by several armed invaders? This happens all the time and generally with multiple attackers. Keep in mind, even if you can get to a firearm in time to take action, you are usually "stuck" with what you have in your hand. Even multiple extra magazines you don't have on you or a handful of loose bullets in you fist doesn't hack it when you are empty and the threat is not stopped. Also, there is no guarantee you can score a hit or even stop a bad guy with one, two, or three shots even if some are hits. The bad guys have the tactical advantage, the numbers, likely the firepower. So, a firearm with a high capacity magazine is almost a "must" in a deadly encounter like this.
You have heard of flash mobs, right? Everyone has, and they are becoming more bold. With today's communications, any hostile or criminal groups with a little organization and ObamaPhones can quickly assemble at a place of their choosing and attack in large numbers. However, it may not be the Quik-Stop down the corner (or, you may in the Quik-Stop). The target might be your neighborhood or even your house. They can hit, do their deeds, and disperse long before the cops show up. Mobs are very fickle and can be deadly quickly. Defending against a large mob as an individual is very difficult even if you are not the initial target.
Or how about armed gangs of various stripes bent on murder, mayhem, revenge, thievery, or "fun" - motorcycle, drug, criminal, racial? They have their own firepower and lots of it and have proved they are more than ready, willing, and able to use it for whatever purpose they want. What if they decide it is you, your home, your wife, or your possessions they want? Begging for "mercy" might help, but even if it saves your life it won't save anything else from them.
Oh, sure, the cops will eventually show up to secure the scene, put up the tape, draw the chalk lines, forensic the evidence, investigate more thoroughly, and maybe someday even catch the bad guys and who knows - they might even put them in jail if they have enough proof and the jury isn't hung! But that's what the police do. They have no duty to protect you and your family. That is your duty!
Having the means to protect yourself from predators (maybe numerous armed ones) means having the adequate weapons (which in many informed opinions) would mean at least a readily available semi-auto weapon with enough power and enough ammo capacity to do the job. Ergo, we are back to the misnamed "assault weapons" and pistols having large capacity magazines which can take care of the problem adequately and contain enough ammo in case of an encounter with multiple attackers. Pump shotguns and revolvers are nice, but you usually can't carry a shotgun around with you and both need reloading even after limited action, and that takes valuable time and attention which can leave you fatally vulnerable and maybe fatally dead.
Anyhow, there a few thoughts on "why" an individual might need such tools as semi-auto weapons with high capacity magazines.
The Founding Fathers never intended a defenseless citizenry, nor a free people who would allow themselves to be disarmed by tyrants (foreign or domestic) or control freak politicians. They never intended a free people to be subject to the whims of those who want to play the part of abusive husband to the beaten wife.
That is not what life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is about.
Thanks for the “thank you” purrcival. Gritty’s post reminds me of what Patton said about the M1 Rifle: “The greatest battle implement ever devised.” I imagine Patton would be perhaps just as, or more impressed with some of the even larger capacity rifles now.