These are not "assault rifles".  Assault rifles are automatic, not semi-automatic.  This guy is showing his ignorance and leftist "university" ideology.  If the good Doctor actually said such nonsense, his name should be withdrawn immediately. There is nothing logical or "common sense" about restricting the rights of law abiding citizens who are qualified under the law from obtaining or using "semi-automatic" weapons.  They have been available for about 60 years and are useful for hunting and self defense.  If they were banned, only law abiding citizens would be stripped from their God given right of self defense against criminals and terrorists, who don't give a rat's as_ about laws.  Duh! This mis-guided individual is not thinking clearly and has no business interjecting himself into a political debate of such an important right.