some obseervations on this thread
1. I don't need an assault rifle. It is a modern convenience, like a microwave, an electric light, or an automobile.
2. I don't know what an assault weapon is, and neither does anybody else. to me, it follows the same linguistic pattern as "murder weapon", and should be construed to mean a weapon that has previously been used in committing the crime of assault. Instead, in some circles it means an automatic rifle, and in some others it refers to an autoloading rifle with certain cosmetic and/or peripheral features.
3. The most powerful, highest caliber weapon I own is my sharps 45-70 sporter rifle. It can shoot through brick walls, cars, bulletproof glass, fuel storage tanks, and presumably parked aircraft (though this last one I've never tried). It can shoot 2 miles and strike with deadly force. I can shoot it ten times a minute, on target. sometimes a little more. It looks like a very nice hunting rifle. It was made in 1878, so some laws don't even consider it a "firearm". So that one's fine for me to own, as far as AHSA is concerned.
4. The smallest caliber rifle I own is an ar 15 a2 with all the fixin's. Match barrel, micro-peep sights, extendable stock, muzzle brake/ flash hider, everything like that. Wicked black rifle extraordinaire. Even has a dragon stamped on it for the maker's mark. Shoots tiny bullets, though. and with much less range than the sharps. so that one's out, as far as the AHSA people go.
5. I like that some people have pointed out that the constitution does not grant the right to bear arms. It affirms the right, which existed a priori. In a strange sort of way, bearing arms is actually what guarantees the right to bear arms.